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Introduction

Agricultural wastes composting
Food processing facilities wastes composting
Aerated static pile composting system learning center
Conclusions
 

          Aerated Static Pile system is a composting process where air is added into the piles using a blower to ensure sufficient level of oxygen for the digestive activities of microorganisms, making it unnecessary to turn over the piles manually. It requires that ten prism piles be piled into a dimension of 2.5x3.5x1.5 meters (WxLxH). Each pile is then blown twice daily using a 15-inch, 3-horse power squirrel-cage blower connected to perforated 4-inch PVC pipe. Raw material comprises agricultural wastes and animal manure in 3:1 ratio by volume to achieve C/N ratio in the range of 20:1-25:1. The active process requires only 30 days. The investment cost of this system is USD 2,860 including (1) a shredder, USD 1,490 (2) a squirrel-caged blower, USD 515 (3) a bag sewing machine, USD 370 (4) PVC pipes, cow manure, etc., USD 485. The average electricity expense is USD 3 per metric ton of compost. It is capable of producing 10 metric tons of compost monthly, valued at USD 1,140. Thai farmer groups have implemented this system at over 415 sites so far. Wastes from food processing facilities have also been used as raw materials for the composting using this system to very positive results. Examples of usable wastes are corn wastes, ripen mangoes peels, and orange and lemon.




Special thank to
The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Thailand.
Maejo University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.

References

  1. Diaz L.F., Savage G.M., Eggerth L.L. and Golueke C.G. (1993). Composting and Recycling
    Municipal Solid Waste. Lewis Publishers. USA.
  2. Sawangpanyangkura T. (2005). A Handbook of Composting without Turning: Aerated Static Pile
    System. Faculty of Engineering and Agro Industry. Maejo University. Thailand.
  3. Sawangpanyangkura T., S. Tantikul, C. Nitatwichit, and S. Yodkham (2004). Composting of
    Green Wastes in Commercial Scale for Local Community by Aerated Static Pile System. Proc.
    3rd National Environmental Conference. Songkla. Thailand.


Agricultural and Food Processing Wastes Composting In Thailand by Aerated Static Pile System
Teerapong Sawangpanyangkura
Faculty of Engineering and Agro Industry, Maejo University
Chiang Mai, Thailand 50290 E-mail: Teerapongs@mju.ac.th