Corn and rice waste: a comparative and critical presentation of methods and current and potential uses of treated waste

Abstract

Although corn and rice waste can be hardly classified among the most hazardous waste, their treatment is very important in view of the great volume of waste materials involved. In this review article, an update is provided for most of the waste treatment techniques (composting, pyrolysis, gasification, combustion) used to alter the physical, chemical or biological character of the waste, to reduce its volume and/or toxicity and to make the waste safer for disposal. Furthermore, all current and potential uses of treated corn and rice waste such as fertilisers, biomass and biogas/biofuel are summarised. Four comprehensive tables and six figures provide a thorough presentation of both waste treatment methods (characteristics, advantages and disadvantages) and uses of treated corn and rice waste.