Effect of aeration rate and moisture content on the emissions of selected VOCs during municipal solid waste composting

The influence of the industrial control composting conditions (aeration 0.005–0.300 L air kg −1 and moisture 40–70 %) of municipal solid waste on the composition of the selected compound emitted (limonene, β-pinene, 2-butanone, undecane, phenol, toluene, dimethyl sulfide, dimethyl disulfide) was studied. The highest emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were observed in the early stages of the processes. At the end of the process, low concentrations of the emitted compounds were found. Aeration rate had a strong effect on emissions. High aeration rate (0.300 L air kg −1 min −1 ) caused normally high emissions of all selected compounds whereas low aeration rates (0.05 L air kg −1 min −1 ) could cause anaerobiosis problems and generation of organic sulphur compounds. We observed that the effect of the moisture upon the emitted concentrations varied depending on the studied compound.