Modelling of organic matter dynamics during the composting process

► A new composting model was presented. ► The model simulates the organic matter quality based on its biochemical fractions. ► Twelve composting experiments were used to calibrate and test the model. ► A unique set of parameters was able to simulate the experimental data. ► The degradation of cellul...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Waste management (Elmsford) 2012, Vol.32 (1), p.19-30
Main Authors: Zhang, Y., Lashermes, G., Houot, S., Doublet, J., Steyer, J.P., Zhu, Y.G., Barriuso, E., Garnier, P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied sciences
Calibration
Carbon
Compartments
Composting
Computer simulation
Decomposition
Degradation
Dynamics
Environment and Society
Environmental Sciences
Exact sciences and technology
Mathematical models
Microorganisms
Models, Chemical
Organic Chemicals - chemistry
Organic matter
Other wastes and particular components of wastes
Pollution
Soil
Soil - analysis
Wastes
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:► A new composting model was presented. ► The model simulates the organic matter quality based on its biochemical fractions. ► Twelve composting experiments were used to calibrate and test the model. ► A unique set of parameters was able to simulate the experimental data. ► The degradation of cellulose and soluble was not always well simulated. Composting urban organic wastes enables the recycling of their organic fraction in agriculture. The objective of this new composting model was to gain a clearer understanding of the dynamics of organic fractions during composting and to predict the final quality of composts. Organic matter was split into different compartments according to its degradability. The nature and size of these compartments were studied using a biochemical fractionation method. The evolution of each compartment and the microbial biomass were simulated, as was the total organic carbon loss corresponding to organic carbon mineralisation into CO 2. Twelve composting experiments from different feedstocks were used to calibrate and validate our model. We obtained a unique set of estimated parameters. Good agreement was achieved between the simulated and experimental results that described the evolution of different organic fractions, with the exception of some compost because of a poor simulation of the cellulosic and soluble pools. The degradation rate of the cellulosic fraction appeared to be highly variable and dependent on the origin of the feedstocks. The initial soluble fraction could contain some degradable and recalcitrant elements that are not easily accessible experimentally.
ISSN:0956-053X
1879-2456
DOI:10.1016/j.wasman.2011.09.008