Gaseous emissions in municipal wastes composting : effect of the bulking agent

Abstract

In this study, the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC), CH₄, N₂O and NH₃ during composting non-source selected MSW, source selected organic fraction of municipal solid wastes (OFMSW) with wood chips as bulking agent (OF_wood) and source selected OFMSW with polyethylene (PE) tube as bulking agent (OF_tube) and the effect of bulking agent on these emissions have been systematically studied. Emission factors are provided (in kg compound Mg⁻¹ dry matter): OF_tube (CH₄: 0.0185 ± 0.004; N₂O: 0.0211 ± 0.005; NH₃: 0.612 ± 0.269; VOC: 0.688 ± 0.082) and MSW (CH₄: 0.0549 ± 0.0171; N₂O: 0.032 ± 0.015; NH₃: 1.00 ± 0.20; VOC: 1.05 ± 0.18) present lower values than OF_wood (CH₄: 1.27 ± 0.09; N₂O: 0.021 ± 0.006; NH₃: 4.34 ± 2.79; VOC: 0.989 ± 0.249). A detailed composition of VOC is also presented. Terpenes were the main emitted VOC family in all the wastes studied. Higher emissions of alpha and beta pinene were found during OF_wood composting processes.