Addition Of Sawdust Research Articles

Investigation of the efficiency of oil-containing wastewater sorption treatment with sawdust and probiotic agent addition

Purification of wastewater from petroleum products is an urgent problem for the Tyumen province as an oil and gas region. The use of natural materials is actively studied in the technologies of sorption cleaning which is the main method for oil pollution removal. One of these new technologies is the wastewater treatment method with the use of probiotic agents. The purpose of this research is to study the effect of probiotics on the degree of dissolved petroleum products extraction from aqueous solutions by phytosorbent (pine sawdust). The photometric method of liquid analysis was used as a standard method of research. As a result of the sorption process study, it was found that the concentration of petroleum products decreased faster and to a minimum value (by 48.68%) when filtering samples through a layer of sawdust soaked in a probiotic solution, which is 2 times more effective than pure sawdust. The sorbent used is environmentally friendly.

Investigating the effect of additives in molding sand on mechanical properties of casted ZAMAK-3 alloy

Abstract ZAMAK is a zinc-based alloy having high strength and ductility. In the present study, an attempt has been made to investigate the effect of additives in sand casting on the mechanical properties of ZAMAK-3. Different proportions of coal dust and sawdust as additives are mixed in molding sand during the mulling process. The molds are prepared for the casting using the mulled sand having additives. The casting is done using these molds. The mechanical properties of the casted alloy are measured by analyzing the hardness, impact strength, and surface roughness. The results indicate that the cast Zamak-3 using sawdust as an additive in molding sand has superior performance as compared to cast Zamak-3 using coal dust as an additive in the sand. Hardness increases with the addition of additives in molding sand and surface roughness decrease with an increase of additives in the molding sand. The maximum hardness of 55 HRB is obtained with 7.5% of sawdust addition, and 16.36% increase in hardness was observed when compared with the neutral specimen. The maximum impact strength as 90 J was observed with the addition of 10% sawdust and 27.77% increase in impact strength was seen when compared to the neutral specimen. Surface roughness decreases with the increase of additives in the molding sand. Minimum surface roughness is obtained with 7.5% coal dust addition. It is also not advisable to add additives while making the cast of specimens where impact strength plays a vital role.

Karakteristik Kimia - Fisika Tanah Bekas Tambang Semen Yang Ditambah Sekam Padi atau Serbuk Gergaji dan Pertumbuhan Wodyetia bifurcata A.K. Irvine

The cement industry only takes the top clay and the next layer of soil is left unused. This study was aimed to analyze some of the chemical and physical properties of the ex-mining land of cement which added with rice husks or sawdust and the growth of Wodyetia bifurcata seedlings. A growth medium is made from ex-mining land of cement by the addition of rice husk or sawdust with a different amount of material percentage. All the growth medium contains organic C ranges of 0.56-3.09%, total N ranges of 0.09-0.33%, available P ranges of 8.42-31.16mg/100g, available K ranges of 6.54-16.32mg/100g, and bulk density ranging of 0.24-1.09gcm-3. The seedling height growth of Wodyetia bifurcate about 13.5 - 15.2 cm, the range of stem diameter is 0,71-0,86 cm, the root length about20.2-29.8 cm, the number of leaves is 2.2-2.8, as well as seed quality index ranging of 0.09-0.13. The addition of 50% rice husk (B2) produced organic C, total N, available P and K and bulk density of the ex-mining land of cement and provides the highest growth of Wodyetia bifurcata A.K. Irvine seedlings.

Materiales Compuestos Biodegradables a Partir de Residuos de las Industrias Maderera, Aceitera y Pesquera

El objetivo general de esta tesis de doctorado es desarrollar materiales compuestos WBPC (Wood Bio-Plastic Composite), a partir de la mezcla de uno o más biopolímeros (matriz), fibras celulósicas (refuerzo) y aditivos o mejoradores químicos (agentes entrecruzantes, ignífugos, protectores de radiación UV, pigmentos, agentes antimicrobianos, etc.). Al presente, se han obtenido biocompositos con una matriz de proteína de soja entrecruzada con glutaraldehído y reforzada con aserrín de madera de eucalipto, empleando moldeo por termocompresión. Los mismos presentan propiedades físicas y mecánicas que cumplen con especificaciones de productos comerciales de similares características y un buen acabado superficial. El agregado de aserrín y de agente entrecruzante a la matriz bioplástica aumenta la rigidez, la dureza y el módulo de ruptura de estos WBPCs, así como su resistencia a la degradación por la acción del medio ambiente. Además, luego de 24 h de inmersión en agua, los WBPCs preparados pueden recuperar prácticamente sus dimensiones originales luego del secado en estufa a 105 °C. Como trabajo futuro se planea obtener probetas de WBPCs con una matriz mixta de bioplásticos, a partir de proteína de soja y quitosano y, además, modelar con herramientas de simulación numérica el comportamiento en flexión de estos materiales.

Individual and Combined Use of Sawdust and Weed Mat Mulch in a New Planting of Northern Highbush Blueberry. II. Nutrient Uptake and Allocation

A 2-year trial was established in Oct. 2016 in western Oregon to evaluate the effects of various in-row mulch treatments on establishment of northern highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum L. ‘Duke’). The treatments included douglas fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] sawdust, black weed mat (woven polypropylene groundcover), green weed mat, and sawdust covered with black or green weed mat. For the most part, plant nutrient concentration and content were unaffected by the color of the weed mat. In both years, mulching with weed mat over sawdust reduced soil NO3-N compared with weed mat alone. The only other soil nutrient affected by mulch was K, which was highest with sawdust mulch and intermediate with black weed mat alone in year 2. There were inconsistent effects of mulch on leaf nutrient concentration during the study. In 2018, leaf N concentration was lowest with black weed mat over sawdust. There were few mulch effects on nutrient concentrations in senescent leaves in both years and in harvested fruit in year 2. Mulch had greater effect on nutrient concentration in dormant plant parts after the second growing season than after the first, with the addition of sawdust under weed mat leading to significant differences for many nutrients in various plant parts compared with weed mat alone. Total uptake of N ranged from 12 kg·ha−1 (black weed mat) to 17 kg·ha−1 (black weed mat over sawdust) in year 1 and averaged 33 kg·ha−1 in year 2, with no effect of mulch. Fertilizer use efficiency for N was 8% to 12% in year 1 and 42% in year 2. Uptake of other nutrients was unaffected by mulch and, depending on the year, ranged from 1.3 to 4.3 kg·ha−1 P, 4.0 to 8.0 kg·ha−1 K, 2.1 to 4.9 kg·ha−1 Ca, and 1.0 to 1.5 kg·ha−1 Mg. Each of these other nutrients was derived from the soil or decomposing roots.

Plasters with wood processing waste additives

The paper assesses the influence of additives based on wood processing industry waste on the physical and mechanical properties of plasters. As additives to the plaster, the bark and sawdust of Scots pine were used, previously crushed and purified from extractive and easily hydrolysable substances. Extraction of extractive substances from wood processing waste was performed by hot water extraction. The content of additives was in the range from 1.5 to 6 % by weight of cement. The average density, compressive strength, flexural tensile strength, water absorption, and thermal conductivity were monitored for the obtained samples of plasters. As a result of the carried out experiments, it was found that the quantitative increase of the additive in the mixture reduces the density of the mortar, water absorption increases slightly, the coefficient of thermal conductivity and the tensile strength during bending decreases. The compressive strength increases with the addition of sawdust 1.5 %, in other cases it decreases with the increase in the amount of the additive. It is shown that mortars with the addition of fine wood processing waste can be used as plasters with reduced thermal conductivity for interior work.

Effects of sawdust dosage on the diversity and community structure of bacteria associated with the hyphae of Pleurotus eryngii

Some fungi engage symbiosis with bacteria, which can effectively promote the metabolism and growth of fungi. The diversity and community structure of bacteria can reflect the growth and substrate utilization of fungi. In this study, we analyzed the effects of different sawdust dosages on the community structure and diversity of bacteria associated with the hyphae of Pleurotus eryngii using high-throughput sequencing technology (HST) based on PCR-amplified 16S rRNA V3-V4 fragments. The results showed that the high-quality sequences from five groups of mycelia samples were clustered into 25 phyla, 52 classes, 114 orders, 199 families, and 406 genera. Proteobacteria (35.0%-85.9%) and Firmicutes (6.5%-38.4%) were the most abundant bacterial phyla, while Acinetobacter (14.8%-71.6%) and Pseudomonas (1.7%-22.3%) were the dominant symbiotic genera. Compared with the mycelia grown on the complete culture medium, sawdust addition could increase the diversity of bacteria coexisting with P. eryngii mycelia, and change the community structure of 10 dominant phyla and 9 dominant genera. P. eryngii cultivated in substrate containing 5 g sawdust had the fastest mycelium growth rate, thick mycelia, and neatly edges. Furthermore, judging from the abundance and diversity, Pseudomonas and Lactobacillus became the dominant genera, which were positively correlated with the mycelia growth vigour. Sawdust, as an important carbon source, could affect the growth and development of P. eryngii and the community structure and diversity of bacteria coexisting with mycelia. This study would lay a theoretical foundation for exploring the molecular mechanism of sawdust and mycelium symbiosis affecting the growth and development of P. eryngii.

Agro-Pellets from Oil Palm Residues/Pine Sawdust Mixtures: Relationships of Their Physical, Mechanical and Energetic Properties, with the Raw Material Chemical Structure

The need for biomass as an alternative source for energy purposes points toward oil palm fruit residues (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) as an attractive solution. Oil palm industry residue, such as oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) composites and mesocarp fiber (PMF), have a high gross calorific value and could help countries meet their energy demands. However, information concerning physical, mechanical, and energy characteristics of agro-pellets made from mixtures of oil palm residue with pine sawdust, is not available. In this research, oil palm residues were mixed at ratios of 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, 20:80, and 0:100 with pine sawdust, and were chemically analyzed. Agro-pellets from mixtures were tested on their physical and mechanical properties, and the relationship of these properties with the chemical composition of oil palm residue mixtures was determined. Normality distribution tests of the variables were performed using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Normal variables were analyzed through one-way ANOVA tests. When differences were found, they were validated using the Tukey’s honestly significant difference (HSD) test and were considered statistically significant at p ≤ 0.05. Data not normally distributed were analyzed by the Kruskal–Wallis test. Bulk density, particle density, and gross calorific value of agro-pellets (from mixing 80:20 oil palm residues with pine sawdust) were statistically higher (p < 0.05) to agro-pellets of 100% oil palm residues. Adding pine sawdust to oil palm residues increases some mechanical agro-pellet properties. Addition of pine sawdust to oil palm residues acts to increase some mechanical properties of agro-pellets.

Performance Evaluation of Ceramic Filters for Raw Water Treatment

The drought that engulfs Gunungkidul every year forces some residents to use surface water resources in the lake or water sources in the cave even though the quality has not been tested. The application of ceramic filter technology as a household-scale water purification tool is a form of preventing further water contamination and reduces the level of the disease occurs due to the influence of biological and chemical contamination contained in water. This study aims to make ceramic filters and evaluate the performance of these filters by testing four parameters namely turbidity, hardness, E.coli, and Total Coliform. This study uses three filters, namely Pelita Indonesia (F1) production filter as a comparison filter, Kasongan Yogyakarta production filter with a composition of 80% (clay and sand) with a ratio of 1:1 and 20% wood sawdust with the addition of Silver Nitrate (AgNO3) ( F2), and Kasongan production filter with a composition of 100% clay mixed with sand without the addition of sawdust and Silver Nitrate (AgNO3) (F3). Sampling was carried out 15 times for 15 days by testing the water before and after going through the filtration process. The percentage reduction in the average for the turbidity parameter, (F1) was 38.24%, (F2) was 34.16%, and (F3) was 37.18%. The hardness parameter, (F1) is 22.22%, (F2) is 11.24%, and (F3) is 10.93%. The parameters of E.coli, (F1) are 100%, (F2) are 98.66%, and the filter with the composition of clay, sand (F3) is 46.71%. The Total Coliform (F1) parameter was 87.62%, (F2) was 69.38%, and (F3) was 51.32%. The application of ceramic filters can be done by looking at the ability of the filter to reduce the contamination contained in water. The addition of silver nitrate (AgNO3) must be done to reduce microbiological contamination.

Mechanical Performances of Boards Made from Carbonized Rice Husk and Sawdust: The Effect of Resin and Sawdust Addition Ratio

A board was manufactured for each resin and sawdust addition using the chaff made by carbonizing the chaff charcoal, an agricultural by-product that emerge during the rice pounding process, and sawdust. And effects of the additions of resin and sawdust on coefficients of dynamic and static modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, as well as the relationship between the dynamic modulus of elasticity, statis modulus of elasticity, and modulus of rupture were investigated. As phenol resin addition of chaff charcoal-sawdust compound boardincreases to 10~25%, the bending performance has increased. This suggests that resin addition largely effects the bending performance. Although the bending performance was gradually increased with the increase in sawdust addition, since the coefficients of determination (R2) between the sawdust addition with the coefficients of dynamic, static modulus of elasticity, and modulus of rupture were 0.4012, 0.0809, and 0.1971, respectively. Thus, it showed a relatively lower correlation, and the effect of sawdust on bending performance was small. Since a high correlation was confirmed between dynamic and static modulus of elasticity, and modulus of rupture of chaff charcoal-sawdust compound board, it was confirmed that prediction of static modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture can be made in a nondestructive way from the dynamic modulus of elasticity.

Does the enrichment of post-arable soil with organic matter stimulate forest ecosystem restoration—A view from the perspective of three decades after the afforestation of farmland

The restoration of forest ecosystems on former agricultural land faces numerous challenges resulting mainly from differences in soil properties between post-arable and continuously forested ground. We revisited a 34-year-old but very well-documented experiment with enrichment in organic matter of the arable sandy soil aiming to accelerate humus formation and soil biota regeneration in Scots pine plantation. The goal of our study was to determine whether the addition of a mixture of pine bark with sawdust or lupine cultivation would change the selected soil properties and, as a result, would shift soil microarthropods of post-agricultural plantations towards those occurring in pine monocultures on continuously forested land. The effect of tillage depth was also studied.The soil properties of the experimental plantation differed significantly from those of the forest soil with respect to the pH, nitrogen (N) content, C/N ratio, sum of exchangeable base cations and degree of soil saturation with base cations. Moreover, the diversity and taxonomic and functional structures of Collembola assemblages differed considerably from the assemblages of pine monoculture of the same age growing on continuously forested land. The expectation of the experiment was not met; however, a certain significant ameliorative effect on some soil properties was observed with some treatments. The total organic carbon content (TOC), C/N ratio and cation exchange capacity increased as a result of the addition of bark and sawdust. In plots where deep tillage was applied, the TOC and N contents were lower than those in plots with shallow soil cultivation. A significant increase in the number of hemiedaphic forms at the expense of euedaphic and atmobiotic forms was observed in plots with lupine, while a mixture of pine bark and sawdust caused an increase in the number of euedaphic forms.Soil pH was identified as a key parameter that determined the difference between forest and post-agricultural collembolan assemblages. The variability of the structure of post-agricultural assemblages depends on N and exchangeable Mg2+ contents and hydrolytic acidity. The enrichment of post-arable soil with organic matter and tillage had long-lasting effects on soil properties but did not stimulate restoration of forest collembolan assemblages on former farmland.

Co-Firing of Natural Gas with Wood Dust Experimental Test Runs

Abstract Co-Firing biomass in the form of wood dust or sawdust with natural gas is a new concept, which was performed in a specialized burner from the Riga Technical University. In order to test the burner, primary experimental test runs were performed to get an overview of flue gas behaviour. The addition of sawdust increased CO values but O2 values remained very low in the flue gases. This was due to technical problems with the fuel. Co-Firing has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions of energy production and wood dust is an abundant by-product of forestry, therefore the potential has to be explored in future research.

Improving the physical, mechanical and energetic properties of Quercus spp. wood pellets by adding pine sawdust.

BackgroundBiomass usage for energy purposes has emerged in response to global energy demands and environmental problems. The large amounts of by-products generated during logging are rarely utilized. In addition, some species (e.g., Quercus spp.) are considered less valuable and are left in the cutting areas. Production of pellets from this alternative source of biomass may be possible for power generation. Although the pellets may be of lower quality than other types of wood pellets, because of their physical and technological properties, the addition of different raw materials may improve the characteristics of the oak pellets.MethodsSawdust from the oak species Quercus sideroxyla, Q. rugosa, Q. laeta and Q. conzattii was mixed with sawdust from the pine Pinus durangensis in different ratios of oak to pine (100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60 and 20:80). Physical and mechanical properties of the pellets were determined, and calorific value tests were carried out. For each variable, Kolmogorov–Smirnov normality and Kruskal–Wallis tests were performed and Pearson’s correlation coefficients were determined (considering a significance level of p < 0.05).ResultsThe moisture content and fixed carbon content differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the groups of pellets (i.e., pellets made with different sawdust mixtures). The moisture content of all pellets was less than 10%. However, volatile matter and ash content did not differ significantly between groups (p ≥ 0.05). The ash content was less than 0.7% in all mixtures. The addition of P. durangensis sawdust to the mixtures improved the bulk density of the pellets by 18%. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in particle density were observed between species, mixtures and for the species × mixture interaction. The particle density was highest in the 80:20 and 60:40 mixtures, with values ranging from 1,245 to 1,349 kg m−3. Bulk density and particle density of the pellets were positively correlated with the amount of P. durangensis sawdust included. The mechanical hardness and impact resistance index (IRI) differed significantly (p < 0.05) between groups. The addition of pine sawdust decreased the mechanical hardness of the pellets, up to 24%. The IRI was highest (138) in the Q. sideroxyla pellets (100:0). The mechanical hardness and IRI of the pellets were negatively correlated with the amount of P. durangensis sawdust added. The bulk density of the pellets was negatively correlated with mechanical hardness and IRI. The calorific value of mixtures and the species × mixture interaction differed significantly between groups. Finally, the mean calorific value was highest (19.8 MJ kg−1) in the 20:80 mixture. The calorific value was positively related to the addition of P. durangensis sawdust.

ANALISIS KONDUKTIVITAS PANAS PADA MATERIAL ALTERNATIF SEBAGAI INSULASI DINDING RUANG AKOMODASI KAPAL BERBASIS LIMBAH AMPAS TEBU DAN SERBUK KAYU

The accommodation room on the ship is used as a resting place for the crew and as a storage place for goods on the ship so insulation is needed in each room to withstand the heat propagation on the ship. One type of insulation material on a ship is mineral wool which is made from polyurethane. Polyurethane is a plastic foam that is a mixture of polyol and isocynate and one of the ingredients is polymer which can be obtained from natural materials that contain lots of cellulose such as bagasse and sawdust. the addition of sawdust and bagasse that can be done is 40% of the total volume of the mixture. Then it is carried out to get the thermal conductivity value of each mixture of sawdust, bagasse, and polyurethane with various dosing ratios on the sawdust, to further calculate the cooling load. The test results show the best conductivity value is the mixing of wood powder 0.2 gr which is 2.65 w / mk which can withstand the rate of heat up to 311.59 KW.

Effects of rice straw/wood sawdust addition on the transport/conversion behaviors of heavy metals during the liquefaction of sewage sludge

Lignocellulosic biomass has been widely introduced into the liquefaction process of sewage sludge (SS) to improve the yield/quality of liquefaction products (bio-oil/biochar). This study explores the effect of adding rice straw (RS) and wood sawdust (WS) on the transport/conversion behaviors of heavy metals (HMs) during the liquefaction of SS. The introduction of lignocellulosic biomass, especially for RS, substantially lowers the total content of HMs in biochar. Most HMs (except Cd) still remain in biochar, although the introduction of RS/WS enhances the transport of HMs into bio-oils. The addition of RS/WS raises the percentage of HMs in active form, but the contents of bioavailable/leachable HMs are not considerably increased and even decreased in some cases, especially when RS is introduced. The overall pollution degree and environmental risk of HMs in biochars are lowered to a certain extent with the addition of RS/WS. Considering that the pollution degree and environmental risk of HMs present in biochars are still at a considerable level, appropriate pollution management measures should be undertaken when using such biochars for agricultural use.

Fuel briquettes from sludge (cake) of concentrating mill

Briquettes made of cake (sludge) with addition of woody sawdust in a volume from 8 to 14% are studied here. Introduction of a moisture-removing agent in a ratio that is sufficient for initial stable shaping and hardening without thermal drying satisfies the requirement for mechanical strength at transportation. Briquettes have a mechanical strength of more than 97%, which does not change during freezing and thawing, underburning after combustion is no higher than 4%, and ash content is not higher than 36%. Stability of briquettes burning can be defined as steady and long-lasting. Such fuel briquettes for the purpose of their use in grate and other furnaces can be produced according to the scheme of pressing in extruders or roller press.

Food waste composting - Is it really so simple as stated in scientific literature? – A case study

Food waste has recently gained much worldwide interest due to its influence on the environment, economy and society. Gathering and recycling of food waste is the essential issue in the waste management and the interest in processing food waste arises mainly out of influence of the processes of food putrefaction on the environment. Composting of food waste encounters a number of technical challenges, arising weak physical structure of food waste with weak porosity, high content of water, low carbon-to-nitrogen relation and fast hydrolysis and accumulation of organic acids during composting. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the challenges facing installations intended for food waste composting, with the purpose to their optimization with use of appropriate additives. Physico-chemical, biochemical characteristics and phytotoxicity of the produced compost has been measured. Two additives (20% biochar and 20% sawdust) were chosen from experimental variants I-XII containing different additives (biochar, Devonian sand, sawdust) in diverse concentration. The use of selected additives seems to slightly increase potential of hydrogen value and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, while decreasing electrical conductivity in comparison with control sample. The results obtained also show that the addition of biochar leads to an increase dehydrogenase, phosphatase and arylsulphatase activities and addition of sawdust has a positive effect on beta-D-glucosidase, protease, phosphatase and arylsulphatase activities. The phytotoxicity test shows that the compost made of food waste (control sample) and with addition of biochar is toxic to plants. By contrast, the addition of sawdust shows that the compost was not phytotoxic. In conclusion, the addition of additives does not provide unambiguous results in terms of the quality of the final product in all monitored parameters. Therefore, we can state that food waste was reduced and hygienized, and that the final product does not meet conditions for mature compost.

Towards Understanding the Mechanism of Heavy Metals Immobilization in Biochar Derived from Co-pyrolysis of Sawdust and Sewage Sludge.

Biochar was prepared by mixing sewage sludge with sawdust via a co-pyrolysis with different mixture ratios and temperatures. The results showed that the sawdust addition resulted in a lower yield of biochar with higher C content. The total concentrations of Pb and Cd in biochar were reduced. Besides, pyrolysis can transform the potentially toxic Pb and Cd to stable fractions. However the sawdust addition had slight influence on the chemical forms of Pb and Cd in the biochar. The biochar with 50% sawdust at 600°C exhibited a remarkable reduction of the leachable metal concentrations. The possible transformation mechanisms of Pb and Cd were inferred as the formation of aluminum and silicon-containing minerals. These results provide insights into the influence of sawdust addition on the characteristics of biochar and the possible Pb and Cd immobilization mechanisms during co-pyrolysis process.

A Method to Improve the Characteristics of EPDM Rubber Based Eco-Composites with Electron Beam.

A natural fiber reinforced composite, belonging to the class of eco composites, based on ethylene-propylene-terpolymer rubber (EPDM) and wood wastes were obtained by electron beam irradiation at 75, 150, 300, and 600 kGy in atmospheric conditions and at room temperature using a linear accelerator of 5.5 MeV. The sawdust (S), in amounts of 5 and 15 phr, respectively, was used to act as a natural filler for the improvement of physical and chemical characteristics. The cross-linking effects were evaluated through sol-gel analysis, mechanical tests, and Fourier Transform Infrared FTIR spectroscopy comparatively with the classic method with dibenzoyl peroxide (P) applied on the same types of samples at high temperature. Gel fraction exhibits values over 98% but, in the case of P cross-linking, is necessary to add more sawdust (15 phr) to obtain the same results as in the case of electron beam (EB) cross-linking (5 phr/300 kGy). Even if the EB cross-linking and sawdust addition have a reinforcement effect on EPDM rubber, the medium irradiation dose of 300 kGy looks to be a limit to which or from which the properties of the composite are improved or deteriorated. The absorption behavior of the eco-composites was studied through water uptake tests.

Optimisation of a food waste composting process with a sawdust

The paper focused on food waste disposal by the form of composting. Food waste composting is not simple and to reach its optimum, various additives were supplied to the process in order to enhance resulting compost parameters. In our research, we used sawdust as additive. This research was specifically aimed to compare food waste composting with and without using sawdust. We chose leftovers such as potatoes, rice and vegetables. The sawdust was added at ratios of 40% of the total weight. The composting process lasted 28 days. After this period, the final tests were conducted for physical-chemical and biological properties of the composts. Test results revealed that unlike the compost with the addition of sawdust, the compost without sawdust was phytotoxic to plants. It is recommended that sawdust proportion is 40% because the compost with such an amount of sawdust as additive exhibited more favourable parameters.