An Investigation into the Scale Shift of an Efficient Biodegradation Practice from Batch to Pilot Scale Continuous Feeding Mode

A significant challenge for cities is dealing with the increasing amounts of organic waste they produce. Municipal organizations have been compelled to establish innovative and effective systems for managing the enormous amounts of waste produced. The current study studied the effect of scale shift in rotary drum composting using vegetable waste as a feedstock. The process optimization was first investigated in a batch-scale 550-L rotary drum composter, followed by a 3-L vermicomposter inoculated with three different vermicultures. Further, the best combination was run in the pilot-scale reactors. The results of the batch-scale study showed that 7-day rotary drum composting followed by Eisenia fetida-based vermicomposting for 20 days was significant in producing nutrient-rich vermicompost. Furthermore, the pilot-scale operation demonstrates the technical feasibility of a pilot-scale operation. The data presented here can be used to produce value-added products on a large scale by the organic waste management sectors.