Comprehensive review of models and methods used for heat recovery from composting process

Abstract

The large amount of heat produced from solid waste composting has stimulated great interest in heat recovery and utilization. This paper reviews the advances in composting heat recovery researches in the last decade. Some experimental results and theoretical studies on composting heat utilization are summarized. The results indicate a great potential for utilization of heat produced by the composting process. Common problems experienced by current methods are how to realize the maximum heat recovery without negatively impacting compost quality and the economics of heat recovery methods. Further advancement of these methods is currently receiving comprehensive interests, both academically and commercially.

Recovery and utilization of compost heat from an enclosed vertical‐type composting facility development of warmed water supply system using compost heat

“…Waste white clay is usually added to dairy manure processed by EVCF, as it reportedly helps the composting process (Miyazaki et al, 1995). Zhao et al, 2017), the average calorific value of the raw material after adding the waste white clay was 24.5 MJ kg À1 of decomposed DM.…”

“…The calorific value per decomposable dry matter of the waste white clay used in this study was 35.6 MJ kg −1 (provided by the manufacturer of the composting facility). Given the calorific value per DM decomposition amount of animal manure (18.8 MJ kg −1 , established by Lee et al, 2014; Zhao et al, 2017), the average calorific value of the raw material after adding the waste white clay was 24.5 MJ kg −1 of decomposed DM.…”

Potential of Trichoderma spp. isolated in the rhizosphere to produce biofertilizer from organic materials

“…The increase in temperature indicates that the growing microorganisms inside the bioreactor generate heat during the composting period (Lopez et al 2014). According to Rongfei et al (2017), the temperature of the composting process began to rise soon after the establishment of composting conditions. The temperature in the active stage at high-temperature treatment gradually increased to a maximum value of about 51°C on day 35.…”

Spatial Mathematical Modeling of Static Compost Piles With Heat Recovery

“…Mathematical models serve as an aid to improve the system design and process for greater understanding and system optimization of composting systems (Hamelers, 2001;Vidriales-Escobar, et al, 2017). Also, mathematical modelling of the composting process is complex due to the large number of parameters to be considered for the model development (Hamelers, 2001;Rongfei, et al, 2017). A small glimpse on the literature indicates that many models were developed with different perspectives on heat recovery from compost piles (Mason I. G., 2006;Deipser, 2014;Nwanze & Clark, 2019;Mwape, et al, 2020).…”

“…A small glimpse on the literature indicates that many models were developed with different perspectives on heat recovery from compost piles (Mason I. G., 2006;Deipser, 2014;Nwanze & Clark, 2019;Mwape, et al, 2020). The main objectives by these studies were to understand the variations in parameters such as temperature, moisture content and oxygen distribution with time variations and spatial variations (Mason I. G., 2006;Lukyanova, 2012;Rongfei, et al, 2017). In addition, some of these models were mostly developed for industrial scale processes (windrow composting) (Vidriales-Escobar, et al, 2017).…”