Biomass and Bioenergy
Biomass and Bioenergy
5 years ago

Enhanced production of compost from Andean wetland biomass using a bioreactor and photovoltaic system

Enhanced production of compost from Andean wetland biomass using a bioreactor and photovoltaic system
Azolla filiculoides and Typha latifolia are invasive plants that detrimentally affect water and environmental quality in Andean wetlands. This study determined the aeration rate required to accelerate the composting process for biomass from these two plants using an enhanced semi-portable, closed, controlled bioreactor powered by a photovoltaic system. Such a system utilizing biomass from invasive aquatic plants could be used to produce compost in rural, remote, mountainous areas with little infrastructure. The solar powered, self-gyrating fixed bed gasifier bioreactor system measured tri-daily temperature, humidity, oxygen and pH. Aeration rate and humidity curves were also developed and could be used in other composting systems in tropical mountainous areas. The autonomous, self-powered, closed system bioreactor reduced composting time from the typical 9 weeks to just 4 and period of activation from 2.6 weeks to 1.5 days. Compost pH, humidity and C:N ratios were all within the range of reported values. Physical and chemical analyses show that the final compost material was suitable for local Andean cropping systems. The system can be used to sustainably utilize excess biomass residue material from Andean wetland restoration projects.

Publisher URL: www.sciencedirect.com/science

DOI: S0961953417302556

You might also like
Discover & Discuss Important Research

Keeping up-to-date with research can feel impossible, with papers being published faster than you'll ever be able to read them. That's where Researcher comes in: we're simplifying discovery and making important discussions happen. With over 19,000 sources, including peer-reviewed journals, preprints, blogs, universities, podcasts and Live events across 10 research areas, you'll never miss what's important to you. It's like social media, but better. Oh, and we should mention - it's free.

  • Download from Google Play
  • Download from App Store
  • Download from AppInChina

Researcher displays publicly available abstracts and doesn’t host any full article content. If the content is open access, we will direct clicks from the abstracts to the publisher website and display the PDF copy on our platform. Clicks to view the full text will be directed to the publisher website, where only users with subscriptions or access through their institution are able to view the full article.