Research Projects

The increasing population and urbanization have significantly increased municipal solid waste (MsW) in developing countries like India, with over 50% being organic and containing microbial contaminants. Composting is a cost-effective method for transforming organic matter into valuable products, but it is often associated with longer processing times, higher greenhouse gas emissions, and nitrogen loss. Ectopic techniques like adsorption, neutralization, and leaching have lower efficiency due to atmospheric losses. Additives like biochar, zeolite, and bentonite are being investigated to modify microbial ecology and reduce nitrous oxide emissions. Microalgae, rich in bio-macromolecules, can be used as a biological aid for composting. However, energy and costs associated with harvesting restrict their large-scale application. The proposed project aims to immobilize microalgae using kombucha cellulose from tea processing industry waste and use the algal granules as composting additive. This technique will improve the diffusion of carbon and nitrous oxide emissions inside the algal matrices and facilitate the growth of mesophilic/thermophilic bacteria, enhancing overall composting efficiency. The project will optimize process variables like the amount of immobilized algal additive, wet waste ratio, retention time, temperature, and pH. Environmental impacts, including net GHG emissions, will be assessed through life-cycle assessments. The efficacy, nutrient release profile, and microbiota influence will be analyzed. In conclusion, this project offers a win-win approach for municipal committees, farmers, and agro-economists to establish a sustainable food-water-energy nexus.