Design of experiment (DOE) based screening of factors affecting municipal solid waste (MSW) composting.
A design of experiment (DOE) based methodology was adopted in this study to investigate the effects of multiple factors and their interactions on the performance of a municipal solid waste (MSW) composting process. The impact of four factors, carbon/nitrogen ratio (C/N), moisture content (MC), type of bulking agent (BA) and aeration rate (AR) on the maturity, stability and toxicity of compost product was investigated. The statistically significant factors were identified using final C/N, germination index (GI) and especially the enzyme activities as responses. Experimental results validated the use of enzyme activities as proper indices during the course of composting. Maximum enzyme activities occurred during the active phase of decomposition. MC has a significant effect on dehydrogenase activity (DGH), β-glucosidase activity (BGH), phosphodiesterase activity (PDE) and the final moisture content of the compost. C/N is statistically significant for final C/N, DGH, BGH, and GI. The results provided guidance to optimize a MSW composting system that will lead to increased decomposition rate and the production of more stable and mature compost.
Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1B 3X5, Canada. Electronic address: k.kazemi@mun.ca.
Khoshrooz
K
Kazemi
Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1B 3X5, Canada. Electronic address: bzhang@mun.ca.
Baiyu
B
Zhang
Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1B 3X5, Canada. Electronic address: llye@mun.ca.
Leonard M
LM
Lye
Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1B 3X5, Canada. Electronic address: qc2264@mun.ca.
Qinghong
Q
Cai
Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1B 3X5, Canada. Electronic address: tcao@mun.ca.
Tong
T
Cao
D002244:Carbon / Q000032:analysis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012987:Soil / Q000737:chemistry; D062611:Solid Waste; D018675:Toxicity Tests; D001617:beta-Glucosidase / Q000378:metabolism
D012987:Soil; D062611:Solid Waste; D002244:Carbon; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D001617:beta-Glucosidase; D009584:Nitrogen
Composting; Dehydrogenase; Enzyme activity; Factorial design; Municipal solid waste; Phosphodiesterase; β-glucosidase