The effects of aeration modifications on municipal solid waste composting

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of aeration modifications on the composting of organic municipal solid wastes. The ratios of 0.4 and 0.8 m(3)/min./m(3) were applied and compared with the system of non-aerated. The results clearly showed that the organic debris of municipal solid waste collected from the metropolitan city center of Samsun, Turkey could not be composted in conditions without aeration due to very high moisture content. The compost produced without any aeration was not matured which is necessary property for composting,, process. The ammonia releases during the composting process reached to high levels in the non-aerated composting system of the organic debris derived from municipal solid waste of Samsun. The aeration rates of 0.4 and 0.8 m(3)/min./m(3) supplied drying of composts. The compost aerated with 0.8 m(3)/min./m(3) matured better than 0.4 m(3)/min./m(3). In the system aerated with 0.8 m(3)/min./m(3) resulted ammonia odours reduction.