Construction and validation of a device for monitoring, control, and automation of composting processes

• Grant number: 21/04173-3
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Innovative Research in Small Business - PIPE
• Start date: June 01, 2021
• End date: February 28, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering - Environmental Sanitation
• Principal Investigator: Thiago Aguiar Cacuro
• Grantee: Thiago Aguiar Cacuro
• Company: Faz Verde Soluções Ambientais Ltda
• CNAE: Tratamento e disposição de resíduos não-perigosos
• Associated research grant(s): 22/04401-9 - Development of a system for real-time measurement, monitoring and control of composting processes, AP.PIPE
• Associated scholarship(s): 21/05800-1 - Device construction and validation for monitoring, control and automation of composting processes, BP.PIPE

Abstract

Composting in Brazil is still not an accessible process for the vast majority of producers, especially for the small and medium-sized ones. As barriers, we have the lack of trained professionals for proper handling, the distances that increase the transportation costs, and the lack of devices, equipment, and commercially available systems, developed for this area that facilitate the handling, reducing the costs and becoming the process accessible and viable. In this project, we propose the development, testing, and validation of an unprecedented device for the control and monitoring of composting, enabling remote monitoring, facilitating the control and decision-making of the process. The device proposed here will allow the measurement of O2 and NH2 levels and the temperature and humidity of the composting windmill, and will also transmit the data in the cloud, allowing remote monitoring of the system. Together with the measurements, we also propose the creation of a methodology to predict the degradation of the compost and, therefore, the stage of composting using the data provided by the sensor. It is worth mentioning that the device proposed here is unprecedented and currently devices of this type are not sold in the Brazilian market. (AU)