This invention relates to a process for the conversion of waste paint sludge into compost suitable for soil enrichment through microbiological degradation.
Paint sludge which is obtained as a waste in industry has to be disposed of safely.
The present methods are disposal of paint sludge by incineration, burial in pits, granulation which are cumbersome and toxic in nature.
The principal object of this invention is to propose a process which not only disposes of paint sludge effectively and safely, but also produces, therefrom, an industrially useful product, namely, a compost, for enriching soil.
The process, according to this invention, for converting waste paint sludge into compost suitable for soil enrichment through microbiological degradation comprises the steps of preparing bokashi consisting of rice bran, jaggery and a commercial product called "effective micro-organisms" or EM, by mixing the same into a imiform mixture and allowing it to culture for two weeks to form a fermented composition; thoroughly mixing dried homogeneous and semi-dried paint sludge containing 3% solvents,

57 % water and 40% solids with the said bokashi in a ratio 35% to 45% of bokashi with 55% to 65% of the said paint sludge; keeping the resulting mass in the shade in an open place ; mildly agitating tlie mass on a weekly basis for better exposure to air to degrade into compost over a predetermined period.
A further description of this invention will now be given with respect to the following Example and the appended Chart, which illustrate, but by no means confine the scope of this invention.
EXAMPLE
Bokashi is first prepared by thoroughly mixing rice bran or husk or other known similar organic material, jaggery and commercially available micro-organism (commercially known as "EM") known for multiplying characteristics and commercially known as EM. This preparation is prepared in the EM: Jaggery : Rice Bran (or others as specified) = 1:1:20
Adequate quantity of water is added to maintain the wetness of this mixture

Paint ap^SSmately containing 3% solvents, 57% water and 40% solids is dewatereid (on an inclined surface to drain) and thoroughly mixed with the batch of bokashi already prepared. The mass is then kept in an open place in the shade and mildly agitated at a weekly interval, to allow good exposure to air. At the end of this period, the resulting mass c^i be used as compost.
The degrading time may vary from 12 to 16 weeks based on the complexity of the sludge.
A Flow Chart illustrating the various steps in the process is shown below.
It will be appreciated that various other way of carrying out the invention proposed herein can be carried out without departing from the scope and ambit thereof

Process of converting waste paint siudge into compost or manure suitable forsoii enrichment through micro-bioiogicai degradation

We Claim:
1. A process for converting waste paint sludge into compost
suitable for soil enrichment through microbiological degradation
comprises the steps of preparing bokashi consisting of rice bran,
jaggery and a commercial product called "effective micro
organisms" or EM, by mixing the same into a uniform mixture and
allowing it to culture for two weeks to form a fermented
composition; thoroughly mixing homogeneous and semi-
dried paint sludge containing 3% solvents, 57 % water and 40%
solids witli the said bokashi in a ratio 35% to 45% of bokashi
with 55% to 65% of the said paint sludge; keeping the resulting
mass in the shade in an open place; mildly agitating the mass on a
weekly basis for better exposure to air to degrade into compost
over a predetermined period
2. A process for converting waste paint sludge into compost
suitable for soil enrichment through microbiological degradation
substantially as herein and described and illustrated.
3. Compost suitable for soil enrichment through microbiologicd
degradation by the conversion of waste paint sludge conversion
substantially as herein described and illustrated by reference to the
Example and the Flow Chart.