Degradability through Composting

In principle, the properties relevant for the use of the polymer as well as for its biodegradability are determined by the molecular structure of the biodegradable polymer. In Europe, standards have been proposed for evaluating the biodegradability of biopolymers based on the composting technique. A number of standard methods have been developed to estimate the extent of biodegradability of biodegradable polymers under various conditions and with a 

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Biodegradation experiments were carried out in compost and soil environments using the biometer shown in Figure 3 to follow and measure the rate and extent of degradation through monitoring carbon dioxide evolution. 

As an industrial and commercial product, PVA is valued for its solubility and biodegradability, which contributes to its very low environmental impact. Several microorganisms ubiquitous in artificial and natural environments — such as septic systems, landfills, compost and soil — have been identified and they are able to degrade PVA through enzymatic processes. 

Waste gas is first drawn in through the air/water separator, used to remove impurities in the air such as water droplets, solid particles, etc. The effluent then travels to the trickling filter, which is a packed column of very porous polymer material. The use of a polymer as the packing material enhances mass transfers between the liquid and gas. The polymer can fix a large culmre of specific bacteria capable of degrading contaminants found in the liquid phase. The trickling filter is followed by a compost-based biofilter that removes residual contaminants. 

A methanotrophic biofilter is a biofilter in which methanotrophs are present. In a biofilter, a gas- or aqueous-phase contaminant stream is passed through a media on which the bacteria are growing. The media can be of several different materials, including compost, peat, soil material, or granular activated carbon. Specific strains of bacteria may be introduced into the filter and optimal conditions provided to preferentially degrade specific compounds. 

A managed process that controls the biological decomposition of biodegradable materials into a humus-like substance called compost The aerobic and mesophilic and thermophilic degradation of organic matter to make compost the transformation of biologically decomposable materials through a controlled process of bio-oxidation... 

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