Composting physics: A degradation process-determining tool for industrial sludge

Abstract Management of industrial sludge is a big challenge for developing countries. Composting is an economical and viable option to manage and treat an industrial sludge. However, efficient compost production requires nature of materials involved, process understanding and physics behind the process. We investigated the physical parameters during composting of solid pulp and paper mill sludge in 550 L rotary drum composter. Variation in physical parameters such as bulk density, volatile solids, moisture content, free air space, void ratio, ash content and particle density were analyzed over the period of composting. Bulk density was observed increasing, whereas free air space was showed declining trend and observed 52% in end compost. The particle density was observed to be increasing from 610 to 680 kg m −3 . End compost was analyzed for nutritional parameters and seen to be increasing over the period of composting. A strong relationship was found between various physical parameters. Pearson’s correlation coefficient matrix was formed between free air space, bulk density, moisture content and particle density.