title: Prediction of moisture variation during composting process: A comparison of mathematical models.
abstract: This study was carried out to develop and compare three models for simulating the moisture content during composting. Model 1 described changes in water content using mass balance, while Model 2 introduced a liquid-gas transferred water term. Model 3 predicted changes in moisture content without complex degradation kinetics. Average deviations for Model 1-3 were 8.909, 7.422 and 5.374 kg m(-3) while standard deviations were 10.299, 8.374 and 6.095, respectively. The results showed that Model 1 is complex and involves more state variables, but can be used to reveal the effect of humidity on moisture content. Model 2 tested the hypothesis of liquid-gas transfer and was shown to be capable of predicting moisture content during composting. Model 3 could predict water content well without considering degradation kinetics.
authors.affiliation: Huazhong Agricultural University, College of Engineering, 1 Shi-zi-shan Street, 430070 Wuhan, China. Electronic address: wangyongjiang@mail.hzau.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yongjiang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Huazhong Agricultural University, College of Engineering, 1 Shi-zi-shan Street, 430070 Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ai
authors.affiliation: Huazhong Agricultural University, College of Engineering, 1 Shi-zi-shan Street, 430070 Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Hongliang
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Huazhong Agricultural University, College of Engineering, 1 Shi-zi-shan Street, 430070 Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Zhigang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D019149:Bioreactors; D005740:Gases / Q000737:chemistry; D006813:Humidity; D007700:Kinetics; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry*; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D005740:Gases; D012987:Soil; D014867:Water
keywords: Composting; Kinetics; Liquid–gas transfer; Modeling; Moisture variation