Innovation for recycling of organic matter through composter with automatic and sustainable temperature recording accessed via Bluetooth/mobile app

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment Vol. 196; no. 11; p. 1093
• Main Authors: Guidoni, Lucas Lourenço Castiglioni, Corrêa, Érico Kunde, Moncks, Paulo César Sedrez, Nadaleti, William Cezar, Silva, Flávio Manoel Rodrigues, Lucia, Thomaz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.11.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applications programs; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bioindicators; Bluetooth; Carbon-nitrogen ratio; Coefficient of variation; Composting; Composting - methods; Composts; Decomposition reactions; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental Monitoring - methods; Germination; High temperature; Indicator species; Leachates; Mobile Applications; Mobile computing; Monitoring; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Organic matter; Phytotoxicity; Prototypes; Reactors; Recycling - methods; Renewable energy; Renewable energy sources; Residues; Seeds; Soil - chemistry; Temperature; Temperature data; Temperature monitoring; Temperature sensor; Phytotoxicity; Accelerated composting; Leachate; Remote monitoring
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-13285-8

Compost reactors, commonly used in experiments, industrial assays, and home residue treatment systems, have the potential to facilitate composting. Challenges persist in the realm of small-scale composting, encompassing facets such as temperature monitoring, homogenization of the compost mass, management of moisture with the control of leachate generation, and integration with a renewable energy source. This study assesses a pioneering composter prototype endowed with essential features to ensure a pragmatic and secure composting process. This includes the facilitation of remote access to temperature data via Bluetooth and a mobile application. Across successive trials, the scrutinized composter prototype consistently yielded reproducible outcomes, exhibiting a coefficient of variation below 25% for the majority of appraised parameters. In comparison to a conventional reactor, the decomposing residue mixture within the examined prototype manifested elevated temperatures ( p  < 0.05). Moreover, the tested prototype demonstrated C/N ratio lower than 20/1 within 45 days, a higher final nitrogen concentration, and enhanced germination of seeds that served as phytotoxicity bioindicators. Notably, the prototype needed 46.6% less space, offering improved leachate control, three times faster turning time, temperature monitoring, and reduced fly attraction. Graphical Abstract