Vermicomposting Smart Closed Reactor Design and Performance Assessment by Using Sewage Sludge

This study aims to design a smart closed reactor of vermicomposting to convert sewage sludge and any organic waste to high-quality vermicompost. In this reactor design, all aspects of growth and reproduction of Eisenia Fetida worms, such as aeration, temperature, light, and moisture, were considered. We analyzed the physicochemical, bacterial, and microstructural of produced vermicompost and growth rate of worms in a substrate of 70% sewage sludge, 20% cow manure, and 10% sugarcane bagasse in a container and the smart reactor. The results show that vermicomposting in the smart reactor took 50% less time and 30% more worm growth rate to produce the same quality as in a container. After vermicomposting in the reactor, the parameters of pH, fecal coliform, phosphorus, organic matter, and C/N decreased whereas the parameters of carbon, nitrogen, nitrate, ammonia nitrate, and EC increased, slightly. Although, the EC amount of the reactor production is more than the container one, the amount of moisture, phosphorus, and organic matter of the vermicompost in the container is more than the reactor one. Based on the odor absorption and leachate elimination of this reactor, we recommend that it be utilized for vermicompost production, including out of smelly organic wastes such as sewage sludge, even in any public zone and personal houses.

The Shortage of Technetium-99m and Possible Solutions

Following a major shortage of 99Mo in the 2009–2010 period, concern grew that the aging reactor production facilities needed to be replaced. Most producers were using highly enriched 235U (HEU) as the target material. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Atomic Energy Agency sought to remedy these issues by removing HEU from medical isotope production and implementing full cost recovery to enable new production entities to compete with the existing multipurpose reactor facilities, which were heavily subsidized by their respective governments. This review examines the various approaches to producing 99Mo and/or 99mTc with a critical eye toward their potential success in ( a) producing the medical isotopes and ( b) being able to successfully enter and compete in the market. Because many of the new approaches are adapting existing technologies for commercial businesses, some of the details are of a proprietary nature and not available for in-depth technical review.