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Energy Analysis of a Rotary Drum Bioreactor for Composting Tomato Plant Residues

Author

Listed:
  • Fahad N. Alkoaik

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ahmed M. Abdel-Ghany

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mohamed A. Rashwan

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
    Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21526, Egypt)

  • Ronnel B. Fulleros

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mansour N. Ibrahim

    (Department of Agricultural Engineering, College of Food and Agriculture Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Energy produced from plant residue composting has stimulated great interest in heat recovery and utilization. Composting is an exothermic process often controlled through temperature measurements. However, energy analysis of the overall composting system, especially the rotary bioreactors, is generally not well known and very limited. This study presents detailed energy analysis in a laboratory-scale, batch-operated, rotary bioreactor used for composting tomato plant residues. The bioreactor was considered as a thermodynamic system operating under unsteady state conditions. The composting process was described, the input generated and lost energy terms as well as the relative importance of each term were quantitatively evaluated, and the composting phases were clearly identified. Results showed that the compost temperature peaked at 72 h of operation reaching 66.7 °C with a heat generation rate of 9.3 W·kg −1 of organic matter. During the composting process, the accumulated heat generation was 1.9 MJ·kg −1 of organic matter; only 4% of this heat was gained by the composting material, and 96% was lost outside the bioreactor. Contributions of thermal radiation, aeration, cylindrical, and side-walls surfaces of the reactor on the total heat loss were 1%, 2%, 69%, and 28%, respectively. The information obtained is applicable in the design, management, and control of composting operations and in improvement of bioreactor effectiveness and productivity.

Suggested Citation

  • Fahad N. Alkoaik & Ahmed M. Abdel-Ghany & Mohamed A. Rashwan & Ronnel B. Fulleros & Mansour N. Ibrahim, 2018. "Energy Analysis of a Rotary Drum Bioreactor for Composting Tomato Plant Residues," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:11:y:2018:i:2:p:449-:d:132464
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Abdel-Ghany, Ahmed M. & Goto, Eiji & Kozai, Toyoki, 2006. "Evaporation characteristics in a naturally ventilated, fog-cooled greenhouse," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 31(14), pages 2207-2226.
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    Cited by:

    1. Fahad N. Alkoaik & Ahmed M. Abdel-Ghany & Ibrahim M. Al-Helal & Mohamed A. Rashwan & Ronnel B. Fulleros & Mansour N. Ibrahim, 2019. "Effect of Insulation on the Performance of a Rotary Bioreactor for Composting Agricultural Residues," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Fahad Alkoaik & Abdulelah Al-Faraj & Ibrahim Al-Helal & Ronnel Fulleros & Mansour Ibrahim & Ahmed M. Abdel-Ghany, 2019. "Toward Sustainability in Rural Areas: Composting Palm Tree Residues in Rotating Bioreactors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Kailin Ren & Lide Su & Yong Zhang & Xiang He & Xuyang Cai, 2023. "Optimization and Experiment of Livestock and Poultry Manure Composting Equipment with Vented Heating," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-22, July.

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