Biomass composting

Biomass is the organic matter derived from plants as a result of the photosynthetic conversion process. Biomass energy is derived from plant and animal material, such as wood from forests, residues from agricultural and forestry processes, and industrial, human or animal wastes. Biomass resources include forest litter, agricultural residues; urban wastes, energy crops, industrial bio-waste etc., where as biomass fuels include fuel wood, charcoal, rice husk, plant residues and animal dung.It is possible to extract energy from these wastes besides converting them into fertiliser. The most popular conventional method of disposal of bio-waste is composting. Composting is the bio degradation of the constituents in the wastes over a period of several days by the microbial activity where pathogens are destroyed, organic matter is decomposed into a stable, humus like substance along with heat (60 deg or more) production. The major by-products are carbon dioxide, water and heat while the main product is compost which is a good soil builder or conditioner containing small amount of the major plant nutrients.