Otimização e aceleração do processo de compostagem em um reator piloto.

Abstract

In the face of the inefficient management of Urban Solid Waste (USW) by Brazilian municipalities, a substantial volume of waste is daily disposed of in inappropriate locations, such as open dumps and controlled landfills. Among USW components, the organic fraction predominates. When improperly disposed of, solid organic waste can engender diverse disruptions, including soil and water contamination, the proliferation of disease-transmitting animals, and significant public health and environmental issues. Composting emerges as a viable solution to this challenge, a process whereby organic matter decomposition is facilitated by bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes, resulting in solid organic compost and liquid biofertilizer, both possessing potential as bio-inputs for plant cultivation. Reducing composting duration and enhancing the quality of the final product represent central challenges in organic compound production. Composting duration is influenced by various physicochemical factors and methodological choices. Throughout the process, aerobic microorganisms degrade organic material. The introduction of accelerator inoculants into organic material degradation induces a modification in the dynamics of the composting process. Thus, manipulation of these microorganisms exerts a significant impact on material degradation and consequently reaction velocity. In this study, pilot-scale reactors were employed in two tests aimed at optimizing the composting process through the assessment and optimization of parameters such as reaction temperature, pH, moisture content, aeration, among others. The first test involved a single reactor with continuous aeration and without the addition of accelerator inoculants. Conversely, the second test utilized two reactors, one containing an inoculum developed in the laboratory using Bacillus pumilus bacteria and the other containing a commercial inoculum. To validate equipment performance at the conclusion of the composting process, the time required for total composting and the quality of the produced organic compost were considered.