Effects of Chaff as Bulking Materials on Aerobic Composting of Food Wastes

This study was performed to examine the effects of chaff as bulking materials on temperature, pH, weight and volume reduction and salinity in aerobic composting of food wastes. Volume ratios of food wastes to chaff in reactor Control, Ch-1, Ch-2, Ch-3 and Ch-4 were 4:0, 4:1, 4:2, 4:3 and 4:4, respectively. Reactors were operated for 24 days with 1 hour stirring by 1 rpm and 2 hours aeration per day. The lowering of the volume ratio of food wastes to chaff resulted in the ascending of the highest reaction temperature and the elongation of the high temperature reaction period. The lowering of the volume ratio of food wastes to chaff resulted in the more fast time of pH ascending. The lowering of the volume ratio of food wastes to chaff resulted in the more fast consistency in the weight and volume reduction rates. Salinities were condensed by reaction days. The final salinity of Control was 2.79%, and the final range of salinities of chaff mixtures was 2.18 - 2.37%.