This invention is a household composting system designed to recycle wet biodegradable waste on-site. It simplifies waste management by allowing households to compost their organic waste, reducing the burden on centralized facilities. The system accelerates decomposition, producing high-quality compost within 37-42 days. It addresses the challenges of traditional waste disposal methods, such as transportation costs, environmental pollution, and odor issues. Additionally, it complies with regulations promoting decentralized waste processing.
Figure (1) Schematic diagram of rotary drum with dimension; (2) Illustrates the composting system executing the method for composting the household wet biodegradable waste.
The growing urban population has led to a significant increase in household wet biodegradable waste (HWBW), presenting major challenges for traditional waste management systems. Centralized waste processing facilities are overwhelmed by the volume of waste, leading to inefficiencies, delays, and potential health hazards. Transporting HWBW to these facilities incurs high costs, increases greenhouse gas emissions, and contributes to environmental pollution. Improper disposal of HWBW can contaminate soil and water and produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Traditional composting methods are slow and plagued by technical issues such as poor aeration, odor control, and leachate management.
- Compartmentalized Rotary Drum Design: The composting system features a drum divided into multiple compartments, allowing for sequential processing of waste. This compartmentalization enables efficient management and continuous composting cycles, ensuring optimal waste decomposition.
- Manual Rotation Mechanism: The system includes a pedal-driven chain rotor assembly for manual rotation of the drum, facilitating thorough mixing of the composting material. This feature ensures even aeration and accelerated decomposition, making the process more efficient.
- Aeration and Leachate Management: The drum's periphery is perforated to allow for passive aeration, promoting aerobic composting. Additionally, the drum is slightly inclined, and a hole at bottom collects leachate, preventing clogging and odor issues.
- Efficient Composting Process: The method involves sequential waste addition to compartments, regular drum rotation, and defined retention and storage periods. This structured approach ensures efficient decomposition, with the entire composting cycle completed in 37-42 days, followed by a 2-3 week maturation period.
- Robust Construction and Materials: Constructed from mild steel with anti-corrosive coating, the drum is designed for durability and longevity. The predefined dimensions and capacity (150-200 liters) provide sufficient volume for household waste while maintaining structural integrity.
- Cost-Effective and Environmentally Friendly: By treating HWBW at the source, the system reduces reliance on centralized waste processing facilities, lowering transportation costs and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. The production of high-quality compost also reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
A compartmentalized decentralized composter suitable for treatment of source segregated biodegradable household waste is developed. A daily waste amount of 2-4 kg is added to one compartment (capacity = 150-200 liters) for 10-11 days. Then waste feeding is started in the other compartment. The composter is rotated 3-5 times manually once in a day. After filling all four compartments, the decomposed waste from the first compartment is removed. The finer fraction (< 4 mm size) of the resulting material is classified as compost which can be used as soil conditioner. The images of the prototype are shown above in Figures 1 & 2.
Currently, we are trying to approach waste management companies and BMC to help in connecting with the companies.
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The invention promotes environmental sustainability by enabling on-site composting, fostering community engagement, improving public health, reducing waste management costs, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and providing educational opportunities.
- Residential Areas: Enables households to manage daily biodegradable waste efficiently at the source.
- Educational Campuses: Serves as a practical tool for sustainability education and oncampus waste management.
- Commercial Establishments: Assists offices, restaurants, and hostels in converting kitchen waste into compost.
- Community Gardens: Supplies nutrient-rich compost for improving soil health and plant productivity.
- Urban Agriculture: Supports rooftop and terrace farming by ensuring a steady supply of natural compost.
- Environmental Conservation Projects: Helps reduce landfill burden and greenhouse emissions by composting biodegradable waste.
Geography of IP
Type of IP
201821019181
433209