Low pH as an inhibiting factor in the transition from mesophilic to thermophilic phase in composting

Abstract

During composting of household waste, the acidity of the material affects the process during the initial phase of rising temperature. In this study, the effects of temperature (36-46 degreesC) and pH (4.6-9.2) on the respiration rate during the early phase of composting were investigated in two different composts. A respiration method where small compost samples were incubated at constant temperature was used. The respiration rate was strongly reduced at 46 degreesC and pH below 6, compared to composts with a higher pH or lower temperature. The combination of high temperature and low pH is a possible adverse factor in large-scale composting of food waste. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Keywords

organic waste; household waste; compost; pH; temperature; carbon dioxide; organic acids; mesophilic; thermophilic

Published in

Bioresource Technology
2004, volume: 95, number: 2, pages: 145-150
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

SLU Authors

• Jönsson, Håkan

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Smårs, Sven

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Sundberg, Cecilia

  • Department of Energy and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences and Nature Conservation

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biortech.2004.01.016

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/4226