Kinetic studies of composting using kitchen waste

Abstract

Kitchen waste composting has been done based on the main factors that give effects on composting. The factors include temperature, moisture content, CN ratio and aeration. Based on the research, the optimum conditions for composting were founded at 28 oC, moisture content of 40 %, CN ratio of 15 to 20, and the composting process should be done in open biocomposter and frequent turning must be applied to the compost pile, since TOC degradation values are 1.76 %, 16.90 %, 10.17 % and 2.90 % respectively. Within 40 days of composting period, observations on temperature, moisture content, carbon and nitrogen content have been done. Based on the information, total organic carbon (TOC) in the compost can be calculated and contributes to the kinetic studies of kitchen waste composting. The kinetic studies of composting using kitchen waste follow the first-order kinetic.