Effect of aeration rates on the composting processes and nitrogen loss during composting

Abstract

Composting is a controlled biological process used to stabilize and transform waste into a soil treatment. Aeration rate is one factor that controls the process of composting, as it ensures the growth of adequate aerobic microbe populations. To investigate the effect of aeration rates on the physicochemical indexes of compost and the loss of nitrogen content during composting, aerobic composting processes with different aeration rates (A: 0.2 L/min/kg TS, B: 0.05 L/min/kg TS and C: 0 L/min/kg TS) were studied. Ammonium-nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, total nitrogen and other factors in compost samples from different periods were measured. The results showed that aeration rate significantly affected O2 content under different conditions. The aeration rate also significantly affected water content, nitrate nitrogen, and nitrogen loss. NH3 emissions increased as aeration rates increased at high temperatures owing to nitrogen loss. These results showed that aeration rate had a significant effect on total nitrogen and ammonia emissions (p<0.05). Thus, optimization of the ventilation method could significantly increase seed germination rate.