Design and Fabrication of portable, automated household composter and production of a microbial inoculum as an additive
NRC Grant No: NRC PPP 23-14
Research Institute: Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology
Amount Funded: Rs. 3270000.00
Date of Awarded: 15th December 2023
End Date: 14th December 2025
Status: Ongoing
Summary
Static heap composting is a common practice in Sri Lanka. However, it is not efficient, as it relies on natural processes to produce compost. Making a composter that efficiently reduces waste and creates a more sustainable lifestyle would be a solution. Therefore, this study aims to design and develop a low-cost compost-preparing machine for the common people to fertilize their lands with their self-prepared organic fertilizer. Further, aims to produce a microbial inoculum for the composting process improvement.
Objectives
- 1. Design a composting machine with the following specifications.
• Capacity: 2.5 kg
• Food waste volume reduction: by 80%
• Recyclable food waste types: All types of organic waste
• Process time: 24 hours
• Additive: Microbial inoculum
• Power consumption: 1 kWh/cycle
• Automation: Fully automated
• Control: Control panel - 2. Achieve the following aspects to make the machine more reliable and usable.
• Energy-efficient as possible. - 3. Produce a microbial inoculum to be used as an additive to enhance the composting process
within the machine.
• Low cost to make it affordable to the common people.
• User friendly, easy to operate, and require minimal maintenance.
• Portable so as to be easily movable at any place.
Major Equipment Facilitated by Grant
N/A