• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.104-112
• /
• 2006

Population growths of earthworm were investigated when the earthworm populations with different levels of initial densities per unit area were fed with cow dung mixed with paper mill sludge. The tested levels of earthworm densities were as follows; $1kg/m^2$, $2kg/m^2$, $3kg/m^2$, $5kg/m^2$. There were no significant differences in population growth rates 60 and 90 days after feed supply among the tested densities of earthworm. Therefore, it was suggested that initial densities of earthworm populations per unit area higher than $3kg/m^2$ should not be favorable because of the cost for purchasing earthworm. Vermicomposting rates of earthworm on feed were also investigated when different amounts of feed were supplied repeatedly to unit area of nursery bed with $5kg/m^2$ of initial densities earthworm populations. The tested amounts of feed at each supplying time were as follows; $16kg/m^2$, $24kg/m^2$, $32kg/m^2$, $40kg/m^2$. The more the amount of feed at each supplying time, the higher vermicomposting rate and population growth rate. Therefore, it should be more favorable for earthworm breeders to supply more than $40kg/m^2$ of feed at each supplying time, because it would reduce time and labor cost.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.92-96
• /
• 2003

The on-site sewage sludge vermicomposting equipment was designed and evaluated on the batch and continuous tests. The vermicomposting equipment was designed to consider the mechanization as well as automation. In terms of performance evaluation of equipment with continuous experiments, the highest treatment rate was found in the condition of 5mm in particle size and 10mm in e feeding height. Also, 20~25kg of earthworm per 50kg of sewage sludge was the most appropriate density of earthworm. In addition, the most effective separation of cast was found when the earthworm breeding box height was 80cm. The performance evaluation on equipment allowed the establishment of earthworm composting capacity of 2ton per a day with a size of $5{\times}3{\times}1m$ and the automatic control devices.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.35-41
• /
• 2003

The on-site sewage sludge vermicomposting equipment was designed and evaluated on the batch and continuous tests. The vermicomposting equipment was designed to consider the mechanization as well as automation. Especially, the automatic controls of water content and temperature and the mechanization of the sludge feeding and cast separating were the important factors. In terms of changes in chemical characteristics when the equipments for experiments are operated continuously, the ORP, EC, $NH_3-N$ and $NO_3-N$ were found to be higher before and after treatment. In addition, it was found that changes in properties were low. Furthermore, the $NO_3-N$ concentration of the humus produced after treatment was found to be higher than the $NH_3-N$ concentration showing that it was appropriate based on the recycling criteria.