Methods of Composting Overview
Methods of Composting Overview
A
MICRO PROJECT REPORT
ON
Certificate
This is to certify that
SHINDE SHIVAM RAMESH ROLL NO. 01
SHAIKH MOHAMMAD SAIF MOHAMMAD SAMEER ROLL NO. 02
DEVHARKAR YASH KISHOR ROLL NO. 03
INAMDAR MOINKHAN JAFARKHAN ROLL NO. 08
CHIKHALE SAGAR DNYANESHWAR ROLL NO. 16
KAKADE HARSHAL SANTOSH ROLL NO. 17
Mr. Pokharkar S. R.
PRINCIPAL
Micro-Project Proposal
b. To know how to maintain the soil structure and adds nutrients to the soil.
c. To increase the nutrient density and nutrient availability of manure with minimal mechanical processing.
4. Implement the relevant method for disposal of industrial wastes and E-waste.
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Completion of micro project topic proposal
Analyze & finalize collected data for a
5
micro-project report.
6 Designing, editing, formatting and
correcting the sentences.
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Implementation of micro project
8 Report Finalization, Submission
b) To know how to maintain the soil structure and adds nutrients to the soil.
c) To increase the nutrient density and nutrient availability of manure with minimal mechanical
processing.
4. Implement the relevant method for disposal of industrial wastes and E-waste.
Compost is a mixture of ingredients used as plant fertilizer and to improve soil's physical,
chemical, and biological properties. It is commonly prepared by decomposing plant and food waste,
recycling organic materials, and manure. The resulting mixture is rich in plant nutrients
and beneficial organisms, such as bacteria, protozoa, nematodes, and fungi. Compost improves soil
fertility in gardens, landscaping, horticulture, urban agriculture, and organic farming, reducing
dependency on commercial chemical fertilizers. The benefits of compost include providing nutrients
to crops as fertilizer, acting as a soil conditioner, increasing the humus or humic acid contents of the
soil, and introducing beneficial microbes that help to suppress pathogens in the soil and reduce soil-
borne diseases.
At the simplest level, composting requires gathering a mix of "greens" (green waste)
and "browns" (brown waste). Greens are materials rich in nitrogen, such as leaves, grass, and food
scraps. Browns are woody materials rich in carbon, such as stalks, paper, and wood chips. The
materials break down into humus in a process taking months. Composting can be a multistep, closely
monitored process with measured inputs of water, air, and carbon- and nitrogen-rich materials.
The decomposition process is aided by shredding the plant matter, adding water, and ensuring proper
aeration by regularly turning the mixture in a process using open piles or
"windrows". Fungi, earthworms, and other detritivores further break up the organic material. Aerobic
bacteria and fungi manage the chemical process by converting the inputs into heat, carbon dioxide,
and ammonium ions.
Composting is an important part of waste management, since food and other compostable
materials make up about 20% of waste in landfills, and due to anaerobic conditions, these materials
take longer to biodegrade in the landfill. Composting offers an environmentally superior alternative
to using organic material for landfill because composting reduces methane emissions due to
anaerobic conditions, and provides economic and environmental co-benefits. For example, compost
can also be used for land and stream reclamation, wetland construction, and landfill cover.
Materials in a compost pile
Carbon is needed for energy; the microbial oxidation of carbon produces the heat required for other
parts of the composting process. High carbon materials tend to be brown and dry.
Nitrogen is needed to grow and reproduce more organisms to oxidize the carbon. High nitrogen
materials tend to be green and wet. They can also include colourful fruits and vegetables.
Oxygen is required for oxidizing the carbon, the decomposition process. Aerobic bacteria need oxygen
levels above 5% to perform the processes needed for composting.
Water is necessary in the right amounts to maintain activity without causing
locally anaerobic conditions.
1. Bangalore method of composting:
This Bangalore method of composting is developed by scientist Dr. L.N. Acharya in 1939 (at
IISC Bangalore) to make use of town residues and night soil. It is an anaerobic method that is
conventionally carried out by digging trenches or pits. This method is mainly suitable for scanty
rainfall areas.
Pit preparation:
Pits/trenches should be dug 1 m deep while length and breadth can be varied according to the
land availability and volume of wastes to be composted.
Nitrogen = 1.5%
Phosphorus = 1%
Potassium = 1.5%
Advantages:
1. Plant residues (all the weeds, prunings, stalks, stems, fallen leaves, chaff, and fodder leftovers)
2. Animal dung and urine
3. Urine soaked earth/mud
4. Inoculum
5. Wood ashes
6. water
Each type of plant residue is laid out in layers of about 15 cm until the heap attains a height
of 1.5 meters. Now the heap is cut into vertical slices so that each slice contains all types of wastes.
These slices (about 20-25 Kgs) of organic wastes are spread in the cattle shed to serve as bedding for
a complete night. This bedding along with dung, urine, and urine-soaked mud is collected on the next
day. These materials are used in filling the pits of Indore composting. This bedding and collections
continues until the organic wastes get over(or until pit gets full).
Breadth: 1.5-2 m
Depth: 1 m
At first, organic materials (dry wastes) that are brought from the cattle sheds are spread at the bottom
for 15-20 cm
Now a slurry made from 4.5 kgs dung, 3.5 kgs urine-soaked mud, and 4.5 kgs of inoculum from a
15-day old compost pit is added evenly over the dry waste layer.
Water is sprinkled to make the materials wet enough (50% moisture should be maintained)
In this way, the pit should be filled (within 1 week) until it reaches 1 foot above the ground level.
Now the pit should be covered with a thin layer of bedding material with wood ashes and urine-
soaked mud.
Turning:
Turning of the materials should be done to aerate the pits for proper decomposition of the wastes.
1st turning: Between the 10th-15th day after filling the pits
2nd turning: After 15 days of the first turning
3rd turning: After 2 months of the second turning
Nutrient composition:
Nitrogen: 0.8%
Phosphorus: 0.3%
Potassium: 1.5%
Advantages:
No protective layer
Requires regular turning to ensure proper aeration in the pits
Composting pit needs to be at an elevated site, near to cattle shed and water source
Need manpower for turning
Associated with problems like moisture loss and breeding of flies.
3. Coimbatore method of composting:
The Coimbatore method of composting was introduced by Manickam in
1967. Composting occurs mainly in trenches/pits under shade. In the initial stage of composting,
anaerobic decomposition takes place and it is followed by aerobic decomposition.
A layer of farm wastes and vegetable refuse is spread at the bottom of the pit up to 15 - 20 cm
A thin layer of wet cow dung (about 5 cm) is spread over the dry wastes.
Water is sprinkled to make sure the materials are well moistened. The pit should have 50-60%
moisture to carry out the Coimbatore method of composting.
This process of filling is continued until the mass reaches the height of 0.6 m above the ground level.
Now the mass is covered with a layer of mud to favor the anaerobic decomposition.
Now the pit is left undisturbed for 1 month. Meanwhile, the mass gets flatten due to the decrease in
the volume of the mass (due to decomposition).
Now a turning is given after removing the mud plastering over the heap.
Hereafter aerobic decomposition takes place. Within 4 months of time process of composting will be
completed and the compost will be ready to use.
Meanwhile, water can be sprinkled to maintain the moisture in the pit.
1. Agriculture waste (Weeds, crop residues, forest litter) - 1350 - 1400 kgs
2. Cattle dung/biogas slurry - 98-100 kgs
3. Fine sieved soil - 1675 kgs
4. Water - 1350 - 1400 ltrs
Length: 10 feet
Breadth: 5 feet
Height: 3 feet
Tank construction:
A rectangular tank using bricks and mud (to seal) should be constructed near to cattle shed or farm. Tanks can be
constructed either using mud or cement mortar.
To ensure aeration, 6-inch vents are provided by removing alternate bricks after the height of 1 ft
from the bottom of the tank.
All four walls of the tank need to be plastered with cow dung slurry before filling it. This helps to
facilitate microbial activity from all four sides of the tank.
Filling the tank:
First layer: 4 - 6 inches of stems and sticks are spread at the bottom to facilitate aeration. It is
followed by a 4 - 6 inches layer of agricultural wastes (about 10-100 kg).
Second layer: A slurry, that is made using 4 - 5 kgs of cow dung and 100 - 125 liters of water is
sprinkled over the dry wastes to facilitate microbial activity.
Third layer: 60 kg of sieved dry soil is spread evenly over the second layer for moisture retention.
This layer also acts as a buffer during the biodegradation of the materials.
The entire tank needs to be filled by the same process within 24 hours (not more than 48 hours) of
time.
Now a layer of 3-inch sieved sand should be spread and sealed ultimately with a layer of cow dung
and mud plaster.
After 15-30 days the volume of the materials gets reduced to 2 feet and is refilled with the layers of
the dry wastes, slurry, and sand.
Now the entire mass is covered with a thatched roof to prevent the loss of moisture from the tank.
Now the tank is left undisturbed for 3 months. Meanwhile, water is added for every 1 - 2
weeks to maintain the moisture percentage in the tank. If the tank develops any cracks, those can be
filled with the slurry to maintain the quality of the compost.
Advantages:
A large quantity of Quality compost can be prepared with minimum human effort.
Compost can be prepared in less time.
Decrease the dependence on outside inputs (mineral/chemical fertilizers, soil amendments)
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Compost is especially important in organic farming, where the use of synthetic fertilizers is not
permitted. Compost improves soil structure, provides a wide range of nutrients for plants, and adds
beneficial microbes to the soil.
Conclusion :
The composting process is a well-known technique for eliminating soil erosion, especially in
agricultural soils. Globally, composting technology is well known to be an effective aerobic method
for organic waste.
Composting reduces the need for pesticides and synthetic fertilizers. Because compost
enriches soil and promotes healthy plant growth, plants grown in compost-rich soil tend to be more
resilient to diseases, pests, and fungi.
Micro-Project Evaluation Sheet
Name of Student: Shinde Shivam Ramesh Enrollment No: 1905080071
Name of Programme: Civil Engineering Semester: VI
Course Title: Solid Waste Management Code: 22605
Title of the Micro-Project: Various Methods of Composting.
4. Implement the relevant method for disposal of industrial wastes and E-waste.
Sr. Characteristic to be Poor Average Good Excellent
No. assessed (Marks 1-3) (Marks 4-5) (Marks 6-8) (Marks 9-10) Sub Total
(A) Process and Product Assessment (Convert total marks out of 6 Marks)
7 Presentation
8 Viva
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Dated Signature:……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Name and Designation of the Teacher:………………………………………………………………………
Micro-Project Evaluation Sheet
Name of Student: Shaikh Mohammad Saif Mohammad Sameer Enrollment No: 2005080001
Name of Programme: Civil Engineering Semester: VI
Course Title: Solid Waste Management Code: 22605
Title of the Micro-Project: Various Methods of Composting.
Course Outcomes Achieved: -
4. Implement the relevant method for disposal of industrial wastes and E-waste.
Sr. Characteristic to be Poor Average Good Excellent
No. assessed (Marks 1-3) (Marks 4-5) (Marks 6-8) (Marks 9-10) Sub Total
(A) Process and Product Assessment (Convert total marks out of 6 Marks)
7 Presentation
8 Viva
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Dated Signature:……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Name and Designation of the Teacher:………………………………………………………………………
Micro-Project Evaluation Sheet
Name of Student: Devharkar Yash Kishor Enrollment No: 2005080004
Name of Programme: Civil Engineering Semester: VI
Course Title: Solid Waste Management Code: 22605
Title of the Micro-Project: Various Methods of Composting.
Course Outcomes Achieved: -
4. Implement the relevant method for disposal of industrial wastes and E-waste.
Sr. Characteristic to be Poor Average Good Excellent
No. assessed (Marks 1-3) (Marks 4-5) (Marks 6-8) (Marks 9-10) Sub Total
(A) Process and Product Assessment (Convert total marks out of 6 Marks)
7 Presentation
8 Viva
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Dated Signature:……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Name and Designation of the Teacher:………………………………………………………………………
Micro-Project Evaluation Sheet
Name of Student: Inamdar Moinkhan Jafarkhan Enrollment No: 2005080009
Name of Programme: Civil Engineering Semester: VI
Course Title: Solid Waste Management Code: 22605
Title of the Micro-Project: Various Methods of Composting.
Course Outcomes Achieved: -
4. Implement the relevant method for disposal of industrial wastes and E-waste.
Sr. Characteristic to be Poor Average Good Excellent
No. assessed (Marks 1-3) (Marks 4-5) (Marks 6-8) (Marks 9-10) Sub Total
(A) Process and Product Assessment (Convert total marks out of 6 Marks)
7 Presentation
8 Viva
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Dated Signature:……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Name and Designation of the Teacher:………………………………………………………………………
Micro-Project Evaluation Sheet
Name of Student: Chikhale Sagar Dnyaneshwar Enrollment No: 2105080265
Name of Programme: Civil Engineering Semester: VI
Course Title: Solid Waste Management Code: 22605
Title of the Micro-Project: Various Methods of Composting.
Course Outcomes Achieved: -
4. Implement the relevant method for disposal of industrial wastes and E-waste.
Sr. Characteristic to be Poor Average Good Excellent
No. assessed (Marks 1-3) (Marks 4-5) (Marks 6-8) (Marks 9-10) Sub Total
(A) Process and Product Assessment (Convert total marks out of 6 Marks)
7 Presentation
8 Viva
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Dated Signature:……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Name and Designation of the Teacher:………………………………………………………………………
Micro-Project Evaluation Sheet
Name of Student: Kakade Harshal Santosh Enrollment No: 2105080266
Name of Programme: Civil Engineering Semester: VI
Course Title: Solid Waste Management Code: 22605
Title of the Micro-Project: Various Methods of Composting.
Course Outcomes Achieved: -
4. Implement the relevant method for disposal of industrial wastes and E-waste.
Sr. Characteristic to be Poor Average Good Excellent
No. assessed (Marks 1-3) (Marks 4-5) (Marks 6-8) (Marks 9-10) Sub Total
(A) Process and Product Assessment (Convert total marks out of 6 Marks)
7 Presentation
8 Viva
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Dated Signature:……………………………………………………………………………………………….
Name and Designation of the Teacher:………………………………………………………………………