Title: Process capability study of domestic organic waste composting process - a pilot scale case study in rural India

Authors: G.V.S.S. Sharma; M. Srinivasa Rao; V. Rambabu; M.S. Atchuth Prasad

Addresses: Mechanical Engineering Department, GMR Institute of Technology, GMR Nagar, Rajam – 532127, AP, India ' Mechanical Engineering Department, GMR Institute of Technology, GMR Nagar, Rajam – 532127, AP, India ' Mechanical Engineering Department, GMR Institute of Technology, GMR Nagar, Rajam – 532127, AP, India ' Mechanical Engineering Department, GMR Institute of Technology, GMR Nagar, Rajam – 532127, AP, India

Abstract: This study enlists the different factors controlling the domestic waste composting process and subsequently gives details on the process improvement of identified critical-to-quality (CTQ) characteristics of the house hold organic waste composting process. Define-measure-analyse-improve-control (DMAIC) approach is adopted for confirming an enhancement in the process capability levels of the CTQ characteristic. Ishikawa diagram is used for finding the potential causes responsible for the process deviation. Prioritisation of corrective actions for causal factors are carried out by means process failure modes and effects analysis (PFMEA). Process monitoring charts are used the study of variations in the process capability index of the process, at the four sigma level, which is equal to the value of 1.33. By employing DMAIC approach, the C_P and C_PK registered final values of 3.29 and 2.26 from the initial minimum values of 0.988214 and 0.21496 respectively.

Keywords: composting; process capability; DMAIC; Ishikawa diagram; PFMEA; critical-to-quality characteristic; CTQ; circular economy; India.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2024.137946

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2024 Vol.33 No.4, pp.397 - 421

Received: 19 Aug 2020
Accepted: 06 Aug 2021
Published online: 12 Apr 2024 *

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