The Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Process Gases within the Biowaste Compost

Sylwia Stegenta, Karolina Sobieraj, Grzegorz Pilarski, Jacek A. Koziel and Andrzej Białowiec
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Sylwia Stegenta: Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 37a Chełmońskiego Str., 51-630 Wrocław, Poland
Karolina Sobieraj: Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 37a Chełmońskiego Str., 51-630 Wrocław, Poland
Grzegorz Pilarski: Best-Eko Sp. z o.o., 1 Gwarków Str., 44-240 Żory, Poland
Jacek A. Koziel: Iowa State University, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, IA 50011-3270, USA
Andrzej Białowiec: Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 37a Chełmońskiego Str., 51-630 Wrocław, Poland

Data, 2019, vol. 4, issue 1, 1-7

Abstract: Composting is generally accepted as the sustainable recycling of biowaste into a useful and beneficial product for soil. However, composting processes can produce gases that are considered air pollutants. In this dataset, we summarized the spatial and temporal distribution of process gases (including rarely reported carbon monoxide, CO) generated inside full-scale composting piles. In total 1375 cross-sections were made and presented in 230 figures. The research aimed to investigate the phenomenon of gas evolution during the composting of biowaste depending on the pile turning regime (no turning, turning once a week, and turning twice a week) and pile location (outdoors, and indoors in a composting hall). The analyzed biowaste (a mixture of tree leaves and branches, grass clippings, and sewage sludge) were composted in six piles with passive aeration including additional turning at a municipal composting plant. The chemical composition and temperature of process gases within each pile were analyzed weekly for ~49–56 days. The variations in the degree of pile aeration (O 2 content), temperature, and the spatial distribution of CO, CO 2 and NO concentration during the subsequent measurement cycles were summarized and visualized. The lowest O 2 concentrations were associated with the central (core) part of the pile. Similarly, an increase in CO content in the pile core sections was found, which may indicate that CO is oxidized in the upper layer of composting piles. Higher CO and CO 2 concentrations and temperature were also observed in the summer season, especially on the south side of piles located outdoors. The most varied results were for the NO concentrations that occurred in all conditions. The dataset was used by the composting plant operator for more sustainable management. Specifically, the dataset allowed us to make recommendations to minimize the environmental impact of composting operations and to lower the risk of worker exposure to CO. The new procedure is as follows: turning of biowaste twice a week for the first two weeks, followed by turning once a week for the next two weeks. Turning is not necessary after four weeks of the process. The recommended surface-to-volume ratio of a compost pile should not exceed 2.5. Compost piles should be constructed with a surface-to-volume ratio of less than 2 in autumn and early spring when low ambient temperatures are common.

Keywords: biomass; agricultural residues; organic waste; sewage sludge; municipal waste; waste management; composting; aeration; emissions; carbon monoxide; greenhouse gases; carbon cycle; nitrogen cycle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C8 C80 C81 C82 C83 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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