Thermogravimetry Applicability in Compost and Composting Research: A Review

Abstract

Composting could be a suitable solution to the correct treatment and hygienization of several organic waste, producing compost that can be used in agriculture. The evolution and maturity of this process has been studied using a variety of techniques. One very promising technique for these studies is thermogravimetric analysis. On the other hand, the compost can be used for a variety of purposes different to the agricultural one, such as direct energy by combustion or energy and products by pyrolysis and its suitability can be measured by thermogravimetric techniques. With these goals, a bibliographic analysis has been done, applying Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses PRISMA methodology, to the use of thermogravimetric equipment applied to the study of composting and compost uses. According to the methodology for PRISMA systematic reviews, the following databases have been searched Google Scholar, Web of Science, Mendeley, Microsoft Academic, World Wide Science, Science Direct, IEEE Xplore, Springer Link, Scopus, and PubMed by using the terms “thermogravimetry AND (compost OR composting) AND NOT plastic”.

Modeling the Life Cycle Inventory of a Centralized Composting Facility in Greece

“…However, it is reasonable to assume that an inevitable release of CH 4 occurs. Hence, adopting the lowest emissions values, 0.8-2.5% of degraded C is released as CH 4 , which seems reasonable [11]. Concerning nitrogen-based GHG, [60] stated that there is no production of N 2 O during the thermophilic phase since autotrophic nitrifier activity ceases above 40 • C. Since the maturation phase is considered a continuation of the primary composting process, GHG production is only scarce at the final stages of the process.…”

“…Water consumption is 200 L per Mg for the ACT and 90 L per Mg of refined material during windrow composting. In many LCA methodologies, water consumption is not included [11]. During the aerobic tank composting, the water addition is constant to substitute the water loses of high composting rates and prevent the compost from overheating, while the only water source is the embedded irrigation system.…”

“…Diverting OFMSW from landfills and using it as composting material has many environmental benefits (e.g., reducing greenhouse gas emissions [10]), while it can be easily integrated with material recovery facilities (MRFs). It involves the biological aerobic degradation of organic matter under controlled conditions [11], resulting in a nutrient-rich product. The process produces gas emissions composed primarily of CO 2 , trace amounts of methane, non-methane organic compounds (NMOC), nitrogen, and ammonia [12].…”

Comparative analysis of the energy content of diverse fuels performed via thermogravimetric investigations

“…For instance, it requires a very small amount of sample, offering reproducible and very accurate results. At the same time, it is a highly efficient method of analysing both the weight changes and the relevant connected temperatures [13].…”

“…Another advantage highlights its potential use along with other analysis-based methods such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and the thermal differential analysis (DTG) [13].…”