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Comparison and Evaluation of GHG Emissions during Simulated Thermophilic Composting of Different Municipal and Agricultural Feedstocks

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  • Jianfei Zeng

    (Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development in Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
    Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, CFAES Wooster, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA
    Engineering Laboratory for AgroBiomass Recycling & Valorizing, College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China)

  • Frederick C. Michel

    (Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, CFAES Wooster, The Ohio State University, Wooster, OH 44691, USA)

  • Guangqun Huang

    (Engineering Laboratory for AgroBiomass Recycling & Valorizing, College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100083, China)

Abstract

Composting is widely used to recycle a variety of different organic wastes. In this study, dairy manure, chicken litter, biosolids, yard trimmings and food waste were selected as representative municipal and agricultural feedstocks and composted in simulated thermophilic composting reactors to compare and evaluate the GHG emissions. The results showed that the highest cumulative emissions of CO 2 , CH 4 and N 2 O were observed during yard trimmings composting (659.14 g CO 2 kg −1 DM), food waste composting (3308.85 mg CH 4 kg −1 DM) and chicken litter composting (1203.92 mg N 2 O kg −1 DM), respectively. The majority of the carbon was lost in the form of CO 2 . The highest carbon loss by CO 2 and CH 4 emissions and the highest nitrogen loss by N 2 O emission occurred in dairy manure (41.41%), food waste (0.55%) and chicken litter composting (3.13%), respectively. The total GHG emission equivalent was highest during food waste composting (365.28 kg CO 2 -eq ton −1 DM) which generated the highest CH 4 emission and second highest N 2 O emissions, followed by chicken litter composting (341.27 kg CO 2 -eq ton −1 DM), which had the highest N 2 O emissions. The results indicated that accounting for GHG emissions from composting processes when it is being considered as a sustainable waste management practice was of great importance.

Suggested Citation

  • Jianfei Zeng & Frederick C. Michel & Guangqun Huang, 2023. "Comparison and Evaluation of GHG Emissions during Simulated Thermophilic Composting of Different Municipal and Agricultural Feedstocks," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-12, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:4:p:3002-:d:1062474
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