Journal of Cleaner Production 164 (2017) 1563e1570

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Journal of Cleaner Production

journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/jclepro

Assessment of biological stability of organic waste processed under

aerobic conditions
Robert Sidełko*, Izabela Siebielska, Beata Janowska, Anna Skubała
Koszalin University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Environmental and Geodetic Sciences,

Sniadeckich 2, 75-453 Koszalin, Poland

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: This article presents the results of research work associated with the assessment of the course of
Received 27 April 2017 composting consisting in development of a model used to define in real time the respiration indicator
Received in revised form (AT4). The value of AT4 determines the level of biological stability based on forecast change of amount of
5 July 2017
the organic substance used in a biological process performed in aerobic conditions. The model was
Accepted 5 July 2017
developed assuming that there is correlation between AT4 and OM (organic matter). Test results
Available online 6 July 2017
confirmed high value of correlation between both variables equal to 0.88743 computed based on Pear-
son’s method. Value of analogous coefficient of correlation between AT4 and OMc (the computed amount
Keywords:
Sewage sludge
of consumed organic substance) was
0.9006. To describe the change of the organic substance amount
Composting over time the first-order kinetics equation was used for which the value of the base process speed
Mathematical modelling constant k(d
1) fixed by means of mathematical modelling was 0.00378. Using equation of kinetics for
Stability assessment computation of OMc values, and comparing them with real values, mean error of 0.45 ± 0.34 was ob-
tained. As a factor correcting value k during the process, a coefficient dependant on the on-line moni-
tored values of temperature and oxygen content in compost pores was introduced. Field research was
performed at a composting plant for mechanically dehydrated sewage sludge with an addition of
structural material located in Słupsk (Poland).
© 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction
Assessment of biological activity during various phases of waste
biological processing is one of the most important tasks associated
with the process control and assessment of the final product in
industrial plants (Bernal et al., 2009). Biological activity of given
raw material, semi-product or product is a conventional notion,
which can be expressed, depending on the assessment method, in
various ways e.g. by putrescibility and, associated therewith,
emission of odour compounds (Gutierrez et al., 2015) or change of
temperature gradient (Onwosi et al., 2017) or amount of heat
generated in time (Ahn et al., 2009). To a separate group of methods
that are used to asses biological activity of compost or stabilised
biowaste belong the so-called respiration tests consisting in control
of the volume of oxygen used by biomass expressed as oxygen
uptake rate (OUR) or generated in biological oxidation of carbon
dioxide organic compounds. Both dynamic respiration index (DRI)
(Adani et al., 2006) and static respiration index (SRI) (Barrena et al.,
* Corresponding author.
E-mail address: robert.sidelko@tu.koszalin.pl (R. Sidełko).
2009) are classified to the respirometric techniques which are used
to determine the biological stability in solid materials. Another
interesting method is the SOUR test (specific oxygen uptake rate)
based on the use of suspended solid samples and the measure of
consumption of dissolved oxygen (Lasaridi and Stentiford, 1998). In
dependence of the testing methodology dynamic and static
methods may be distinguished the latter including the measure-
ments of value AT4 (Iannotti et al., 1993). AT4 (in original:
ATmungsaktivit€ at) as a cumulated oxygen consumption at 4 days is
a synonymous of RA4-respiration activity according to Austrian
Landfill Ordinance (BGBl Nr. II 39/2008).
Performance of the respiration test was based on the mea-
surement of AT4 parameter value method, the result of which in-
dicates oxygen consumption by incubated material sample during
4 consecutive days can ultimately last, taking into account sample
preparation, even up to 7 days (Kilian and Macedowska-Capiga,
2011). In such situation, when the objective of composting is to
produce the so-called stabilised biowaste, depending on the stan-
dards applicable in various European Union states, AT4 value in the
final product should amount to 5e10 mg O2 g
1 DM
1 (Binner et al.,
2012). Irrespective of product quality having impact on its further

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.07.035
0959-6526/© 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
1564 R. Sidełko et al. / Journal of Cleaner Production 164 (2017) 1563e1570
utilisation, if the entire process is performed in two stages using
closed reactors or compost windrows aerated in halls, then ac-
cording to relevant Polish regulations completion of the first so-
called hot phase requires material stabilisation at a level being
equivalent to AT4 value of 20 mg O2 g
1 DM
1. It can be pointed out
that due to the time-consuming methodology of determination,
application of AT4 as a parameter used for control of the com-
posting process is hardly efficient. A practical significance, as a
parameter deciding about termination of the hot composting stage
will be gained by AT4 when it’s value will be able to be determined
in real time, not after 4e6 days. Apart from the formal requirements
issue, between the time of course of both composting phases there
exists a specified relationship, which indicates that by curtailment
of the hot phase duration the compost maturation phase time is
extended (Sidełko et al., 2010). In this context more practical are the
respiration tests based on dynamic methods such as DRI (Dynamic
Respiration Index) or RI (Respiratory Index) carried out in situ and
performed at the process temperature in 4 h or 24 h (Komilis and
Kanellos, 2012). Irrespectively of the raw material type and com-
posting method, there is a confirmed high correlation between
both indices (Ponsa et al., 2010). During model testing of com-
posting of the sewage sludge with reed additive as a structural
material with proportion of the dry mass of both components being
2:5, correlation was found between AT4 and RI expressed by
Pearson’s coefficient, amounting to 0.9965 (Sanchez et al., 2012).
Decrease of AT4 parameter value during composting results
from progressing depletion of the organic substance content,
amount of which systematically decreases due to the mineralisa-
tion process (Epstein, 1997). Industrial scale tests (Lornage et al.,
2007) have shown that during 25 weeks of oxygen stabilised
organic fraction separated from municipal waste the decrease of
OM from 61.9% to 39.4% DM was associated with decrease of AT4
value from 82.9 to 16.0 mg O2 g
1 DM
1.
In numerous research works high correlation between physical
and chemical indicators used to assess the composting processes
was confirmed. That justifies commencement of research work on
application of numerical methods to develop a model forecasting
value of the indicator that would be important due to control of
efficiency of the realised technology.
2. Material and methods
2.1. Raw composting materials
The tests were performed at the sewage sludge composting
plant in Słupsk (Poland). Change of values of selected physical and
chemical parameters (defined in part 2.2- Analytic method) was
observed during the test in the course of the composting process,
which was performed in two stages based on the technology
applied at the plant. The first stage preceded by a weekly period of
windrow building (mixing materials, forming and shaping the
windrow) proceeded with intensive aeration by windrow over-
turning twice a week. After approximately six weeks the compost
was transferred to boxes where it matured for further two to three
months. Windrow building consists of piling up of alternate layers
of dehydrated, partly stabilised sewage sludge, straw and wood
chips in proportion of 8:1:3 (mass share). Proportion 8:3:1 defining
the mass share of three components in compost windrows origi-
nates from long-term experience of workers of the company in
which the research work was performed. Similar technology, as the
best possible for composting of dehydrated sewage sludge, was
proposed by Boruszko (2011). A single windrow featuring length of
approximately 100 m, having transversal triangular cross-section
with base width of 5 m and height 2.1 m contained, on average,
200t of mechanically dehydrated sewage sludge as well as 25 and
75t of straw and wood chips respectively. The research work was
conducted in parallel in three similar windrows.
2.2. Analytic method
Temperature and oxygen concentration inside compost wind-
rows at the depth approx. 1.0 m were controlled during the tests.
Oxygen percent content in compost pores was determined using a
QRAE II gas detector equipped with a probe for soil gas, and an
oxygen sensor operating within the range of 0e30% (% vol.). For
laboratory tests representative samples of compost weighing
approx. 1.5 kg were taken, applying the methodology as per PN-Z-
15011-1:1998 standard. Applying the methodology as per PN-Z-
15011-3 the following parameters were determined in periodi-
cally collected compost samples i.e. dry mass (DM), organic matter
(OM), total organic carbon (TOC) and nitrogen (Ntot). The dry mass
based on mass reduction during drying at 105  C for 24 h, organic
matter as the ignition loss at 510  C for 6 h in a muffle furnace were
determined according to PN-Z-15011-3:2001. Total organic carbon
and nitrogen content by application of VARIOMAX C/N (Elementar
Analysensysteme GmbH) elementary analysis method and AT4
parameter value were determined in a respiration test using OxiTop
Control measuring system. Additionally, testing of biodegradable
organic carbon (BOC) content in fresh charge determined by
application of the Tiurin’s volumetric method according to PN-Z-
15005:1991. The methodology consists in incineration of wet
organic substance with an excess of strong oxidant (K2Cr2O7).
Excess of the oxidant that remained after the reaction was titrated
with Mohr’s salt FeSO4(NH4)2SO4, H2O. To the mathematical
modelling obtained data a module named advanced non-linear
models available in STATISTICA 8 computer software has been used.
2.3. Calculation
The primary assumption for the algorithms created to deter-
mine AT4 values in real time was application of parameters
showing high correlation with AT4 the measurement of which
would be carried out inside the windrow at any composting
moment. The method of direct measurement applied in this case
during the composting process would require usage of suitable
sensors generating electric signals processed by a suitable
controller. AT4 value defining biological activity is strictly associ-
ated with the change of organic matter content, the amount of
which is described as the ignition loss of organic substance deter-
mined in laboratory conditions (Lhadi et al., 2006). The available
sensors can be used, in the majority of cases, to measure such
physical parameters as temperature, content of various gases in air
or pressure, but not organic substance content, which practically
excluded the possibility of direct measurement of this parameter.
The researched issue pertained to relationship between relevant
indicators that could be monitored in a continuous way with
compost biological activity. For this purpose a well known kinetics
Equation (1) was used, in which the speed constant k (d
1),
determining the primary function shape, expresses influence of
various variables controlling the process progress (Jun et al., 2010).
An assumption was made that influence of such technological pa-
rameters as temperature, porosity, humidity and oxygen content in
compost will consist in consideration of weigh factors that would
modify the speed constant according to the following rule (Haug,
1993):
k0 ¼ k$f ðTÞ$f ðFASÞ$f ðMCÞ$f ðO2 Þ (1)
The detailed review of the methods of computation of particular
coefficients was presented in the doctoral thesis of M.H. de C.
 R. Sidełko et al. / Journal of Cleaner Production 164 (2017) 1563e1570 1565

Baptista (2009). Wood chips used as the structural material are n h i h io

composed mainly of hardly degradable compounds such as lignin,
ln OM0
OMcð0Þ
ln OM0
OMcðtÞ ¼ kðt0
tÞ (6)
hemicellulose and cellulose making 95% of wood mass (Doublet
et al., 2010). Assuming that the applied structural material as- If t0 ¼ 0 and OMc(0) ¼ 0 then:
sures proper and stable porosity of the composted material un- n  o
dergoing, at the same time, insignificant decomposition, the value
ln OM0
ln OM0
OMcðtÞ ¼
kt (7)
of f (FAS) coefficient (FAS-Free Air Space) during the entire stabi-
lisation process is 1.0. Having the above in view, the final form of The solution of Equation (7) will be an identity equation in the
Equation (1) is as follows: following form:
 
OMcðtÞ ¼ OM0 1
e
kt (8)
0
Y
3
k ¼ k$f ðTÞ$f ðFASÞ$f ðMCÞ$f ðO2 Þ ¼ f ðT; MC; O2 Þ (1a) Solution of Equation (8) consisting in mathematical modelling
1
of function for values of the dependent variable obtained during
Values of coefficients f(T) (Rosso et al., 1993) and f (O2) (Haug, the tests requires definition of the meaning of variable OMc(t) and
1993) were calculated in the following way based on the moni- the method of its computation. The applied methodology of organic
tored compost windrow temperature and oxygen values: substance determination by calcination at 510  C causes deficit of

ðT
Tmax ÞðT
Tmin Þ2

f ðTÞ ¼       (1b)
Topt
Tmin Topt
Tmin ðT
Tmin Þ
Topt
Tmax Topt þ Tmin
2T

mass of the sample associated with occurrence of two types of

organic compounds classified, generally, as biodegradable organic
matter (BOM) and non-biodegradable organic matter (NBOM)
ðO2 Þ (Epstein, 1997). The final effect in form of the maximum i.e. 100%
f ðO2 Þ ¼ (1c) reduction of the organic substance content during the biological
0; 96ð0; 83 þ ðO2 ÞÞ
transformation process can be practically obtained by reference of
To compute the value of coefficient f (MC) using the following the achieved results to initial BOM. Therefore, a procedure was
equation (Haug, 1993): applied in which, assuming that: OMðoÞ ¼ BOMð0Þ þ NBOM and
OMðtÞ ¼ BOMðtÞ þ NBOM , where NBOM ¼ const., the amount of
1 consumed organic matter is:
f ðMCÞ ¼ (1d)
1 þ eð
17;684ð1
DMÞþ7;0622Þ
OMc1ðtÞ ¼ OM0
OMt ¼ BOMð0Þ þ NBOM
BOMðtÞ
NBOM
content of the dry mass computed from laboratory tests was used,
¼ BOMð0Þ
BOMðtÞ
although electronic sensors for measuring humidity that allow on-
line measurements already exist. (9)
The composting kinetics described by progressing in time
Determination of values OMc1(t) in compost sample according to
depletion of organic substance, being the substrate in the organic
(9) would require extraction of biodegradable compounds, which
matter biological decomposition process, has been described by the
would considerably complicate the entire procedure. The solution
first-order differential equation:
is based, firstly, on application of an equation, originating from
proportion in the following form:
d OMc
¼ k$OMt (2)
dt OMc1ðtÞ ðOM0
NBOMÞ ¼ 100½OM0
NBOM
ðOMt
NBOMÞ

which has been transformed into algebraic form in the following (10)
way:
secondly, utilisation of the coefficient defining BOM share in the
initial amount of the organic substance:
d OMc
¼ k dt (3)
OMð0Þ
OMcðtÞ q ¼ BOM=OM0 (11)

where: By merging and transforming formulae (10) and (11) a formula

describing the amount of consumed organic substance expressed
as percentage referred to that part of OM, which can form a sub-
OMt ¼ OM0
OMcðtÞ (4)
strate in the biological transformation process, is obtained:
Assuming: x ¼ OM0
OMcðtÞ and dOMcðtÞ ¼
dx , we get:
OM0
OMt
OMc1ðtÞ ¼ 100% (12)
q$ OM0
Z
OMcðtÞ   Zt
1

¼ k dt (5) The BOM value computed based on analytically determined BOC
x content in fresh charge, without taking into account of wood chips
OMð0Þ 0
that are composed of hardly degradable lignin, was 74% OM. After
taking into account of such share of biodegradable compounds in
1566 R. Sidełko et al. / Journal of Cleaner Production 164 (2017) 1563e1570

Table 1
Results of two parts of the research work.

Time [d] Part I (physical and chemical analysis) Part II (mathematical modelling)

Ta [ C] O2a [% vol] DMa [%] OMa [%DM] AT4a [mgO2/gDM] f(T) [e] f(O2) [e] f(MC) [e] OMcb [%] OMc-cc [%] OMc1d [%]

1 65.7 18.93 33.5 75.4 26.29 0.91 1.00 0.99 0.28 0.25 0.00
3 50.1 19.43 38.36 75.1 15.97 0.86 1.00 0.98 0.85 0 0.75 0.51
5 50.2 19.13 39.29 75.95 13.56 0.86 1.00 0.98 1.41 1.23 0.68
8 56.9 19.5 40.83 74.2 17.89 0.98 1.00 0.97 2.25 2.05 2.03
10 53.6 18.97 41.05 73.4 12.93 0.93 1.00 0.97 2.80 2.56 3.39
12 56.5 18.8 41.73 72.95 12.10 0.98 1.00 0.96 3.34 3.08 4.15
15 68.3 15.37 44.23 73.31 5.33 0.79 0.99 0.94 4.16 3.69 3.54
17 55.1 18.5 44.01 71.74 10.52 0.96 1.00 0.94 4.69 4.18 6.20
19 49.7 14.77 43.52 71.2 10.01 0.85 0.99 0.95 5.23 4.61 7.12
25 61.2 15.4 46.81 71.37 1.82 1.00 0.99 0.91 6.80 6.05 6.83
32 58.0 15.0 46.00 70.00 9.00 0.99 0.99 0.92 8.59 7.70 8.31
39 55.1 14.6 48.76 70.12 9.69 0.96 0.99 0.89 10.33 9.21 8.95
46 19.0 12.8 50.14 68.45 6.67 0.11 0.98 0.85 12.03 9.39 11.78
53 38.0 13 49.10 66.10 6.11 0.53 0.98 0.87 13.69 10.23 15.76
60 43.3 13.9 47.46 65.34 4.99 0.68 0.98 0.90 15.30 11.31 17.05
67 47.8 4.9 48.29 63.78 3.86 0.80 0.89 0.89 16.87 12.39 16.31
74 35.7 3.3 49.6 64.44 3.46 0.47 0.83 0.86 18.40 13.00 16.24
81 30.0 3.3 51.17 67.13 3.2 0.45 0.83 0.83 19.89 13.57 14.02
88 28.0 3.2 51.01 64.1 3.1 0.45 0.83 0.83 21.34 14.13 16.74
95 25.0 3.3 52.12 64.41 3 0.45 0.83 0.80 22.75 14.67 18.63
a
Average value from three monitored compost windrows.
b
OMc computed from Equation (8).
c
OMc-c computed from modification of Equation (8).
d
OMc1 computed from of Equation (12).

total organic substance, the interpretation of formula (12) is as the hot phase. At the second stage defined as compost maturation,
follows: if OM0 ¼ 1 kg and BOM ¼ 0.78∙OM0, then for OMt ¼ 0.5 kg, oxygen content remained at a relatively low level, which decreased
OMc1(t) ¼ 64.1%, and for OMt ¼ 0.22 kg, OMc1(t) ¼ 100%, which considerably, after approx. two weeks, below 5%; this could mean
means that achievement of the effect in form of the maximum 100 oxygen deficit and ultimately limit the biological transformation
percent reduction of the organic substance content due to com- speed. Reduction of biological activity, and consequently, decrease
posting is possible only with relation to the biodegradable part. of temperature from 38 to 25  C could, of course, result from in-
fluence of the limiting factor, which was oxygen content in compost
pores but also from depletion of organic compounds making the so-
3. Results
called readily hydrolysable solid carbon used in the mineralisation
process (Komilis, 2006).
Results of the field research and tests consisting in monitoring of
Value of AT4 parameter systematically decreased from 26.29 to
temperature and oxygen concentration inside compost windrows
3.05 mgO2/g DM during the entire testing period. Relatively low
as well as a part of laboratory test results for compost samples are
initial value of the AT4 resulted from the application of partly sta-
shown in Table 1. The remaining parts of the results associated
bilised sewage sludge. Utilisation of unstabilised sludge as well as
mainly with change of concentration of TOC and Ntot during com-
the anaerobic digested sewage sludge may result in an initial value
posting, which were not used to develop the model for forecasting
exceeding even 158 mgO2/g DM (Mejias et al., 2017). A level slightly
AT4, were presented in a separate publication (Sidełko et al., 2014).
exceeding 10 mgO2/g DM was found in compost after 17 days as of
Also changes of PAHs (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons) and PCBs
the composting process commencement. The final decrease of AT4
(Polychlorinated Biphenyls) were investigated (Siebielska and
values during the entire testing period was close to 85% and
Sidełko, 2015). The mean temperature inside the windrows found
considerably exceeded that decrease, which was observed during
at the first stage of composting lasting approx. 6 weeks, varied from
the pilot test period performed in laboratory conditions where after
50.1 to 68.3  C. After that period the compost was transferred to
90 days of composting the final effect did not exceed 73% (Sanchez
another place in which it matured for subsequent two months. The
et al., 2012). The gradual AT4 value decrease was accompanied by
compost transfer moment can be read out from temperature
decrease of temperature and organic substance content from 76.4
change as the temperature abruptly fell on the 46th day to 19  C,
to 64.41% DM. The graphs of approximation of the data describing
which was associated with a momentary cooling following wind-
changes both of AT4 as well as OM during the entire test period are
rows transfer to another place. During the first three weeks of
shown in Fig. 1. The shape of the curves clearly indicates similar
composting the windrows were overturned twice weekly which
decreasing trend, which suggests occurrence of a positive correla-
allowed for maintenance of high oxygen content in pores e in
tion between AT4 and OM. The degree of interdependence, that was
excess of 18%. Generally it should be assumed that increasing
finally found in this case, defined by Pearson’s coefficient value, was
turning frequency curtails maturation time for composting
0.88743, which should be considered, according to the standard
(Getahun et al., 2012).
applied in statistical analysis, as very high correlation.
At the beginning of the third week of the hot phase gradual
reduction of oxygen percentage in air occurring in the free space
between compost granules down to 12.8%, was noted by the phase 4. Discussion
end. Reduction of the amount of available oxygen resulted from
gradual limitation of the frequency of windrows overturning, A graph of exponential function that constitutes solution of
which was, during the first three weeks, two overturning opera- Equation (8) using the least squares approximation method is
tions per week, and decreased to one during the last three weeks of shown in Fig. 2.
 R. Sidełko et al. / Journal of Cleaner Production 164 (2017) 1563e1570 1567

28 80

26
78
24
AT4
22 OM 76

20
74
AT4 [mg O2/g DM]

18

OM [% DM]
72
16

14
70
12
68
10

8 66

6
64
4

2 62
0 20 40 60 80 100
time [d]

Fig. 1. Change of OM content and AT4 parameter values during composting.

Equation of function OMC ¼ f (time) for which constant k equal
0.00378 was approximated using non-linear regression with
application of algorithm of the least squares as an error optimiza-
tion method. To model this relationship part of the data up to 39
days was used. By omission of the rest of the data for which the
values of the weighting factors f (T), f (MC) and f (O2) were below
0.9, the function describing composting process in optimal
conditions was obtained. This means that if the composting con-
ditions described by temperature, humidity and oxygen in pores of
compost (process parameters) after 39 days were similar to the
optimal value then OMC would be estimated based on the following
equation:
OMc ¼ 0:754ð1
expð
0; 00378tÞÞ (13)

OMc= 0,754*(1-exp(-0,00378*time)

22 0.22

20 0.20

18 OMc/c(L) 0.18
OMc1(L)
16 OMc(R) 0.16
OMc1 , OM c/c [%DM]

14 0.14
OMc [g/gDM]

12 0.12

10 0.10

8 0.08
6
0.06
4
0.04
2
0.02
0 0.00
0 20 40 60 80 100
time [d]

Fig. 2. Change of OMc-c, OMc1 and OMc values including results approximation.
1568 R. Sidełko et al. / Journal of Cleaner Production 164 (2017) 1563e1570

8
average
average +/- stand.dev.
7

5.20 +/-1.89
5

4
3.48 +/-1.73
3

0.45 +/-0.34 0.53 +/-0.97

0

-1
delta OM11 delta OM12 OM21 OM22

Fig. 3. Mean error of delta OM forecast during two subsequent composting periods.

Use of Equation (13) in real conditions with high dynamic shape described by Equation (8) necessitated an introduction of an
changes of process parameters requires appropriate adjustment. As algorithm computing OMc-c value gradients in the following way:
an assumption was made that speed of organic substance decom-
position changes in time and depends on the current on-line 0 Y
3 1
determined value of selected technological parameters, the cor-
k fðzÞt1 t1
B C
rected value of the process speed constant k’ was computed taking 1: OMc cðt1 Þ ¼ OM0 @1
e 1 A (14.1)
into account the coefficients computed from Equation (1a). Appli-
cation of correction of factor k determining OMc ¼ f(t) function

28

26
correlation: r = -0.9006
24

22

20
AT4 [mgO2/g DM]

18

16

14

12

10

0.00 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.12 0.14

OMc_c [%]

Fig. 4. Linear regression line for AT4 ¼ f (OMc-c).

 R. Sidełko et al. / Journal of Cleaner Production 164 (2017) 1563e1570 1569

forecast during first 39 days of composting was 0.45 ± 0.34.

2: OMc cðt2 Þ ¼ OMc cðt1 Þ Considering the fact that the first composting phase lasting in in-
0 0 Y
3 1 dustrial conditions 14e21 days proceeds, in general, in closed re-

k fðzÞt2 t2 actors, application of the developed method will allow for quick and
B B C
þ @OM0 @1
e 1 A reliable assessment of the charge biological stability level expressed
(14.2) by the forecast AT4 value.
The developed model is used for assessment of compost stability
0 Y
3 11

k f ðzÞt1 t1 in real time, which means that values of independent variables
B CC must be monitored on-line. Application of the ignition loss method
eOM0 @1
e 1 AA
to determine organic substance content is in this case excluded. A
solution can be based on application of an algebraic form of
transformed first-order kinetics equation describing change of
X
i
1 substrate concentration, expressed by OM loss during composting.
i: OMc cðti Þ ¼ OMc c For fixed initial conditions the shape of DOM ¼ f(t) function de-
1
pends on value of the process speed constant k (1/d). This is
0 0 Y
3 1 significantly influenced by determinant variables such as compost

k f ðzÞti ti
B B C humidity, porosity, temperature and oxygen content. Technical
þ @OM0 @1
e 1 A (14.i) preconditions associated with the need to use detectors for
continuous monitoring performed inside a compost windrow cause
0 Y
3 11 that in practical terms measurements of temperature and oxygen

k fðzÞti
1 ti
1 content can be applied.
B CC
eOM0 @1
e 1 AA Currently, the algorithm forecasting AT4 value based on the
presented model works in 6 MBT (Mechanical Biological Treat-
ment) plants in Poland. Model validation in industrial conditions is
Comparison of value OMc-c with a value forecast by the expo- based on modification of the kinetics Equation (8) depending on
nential function (Fig. 2) that refer to the same composting period OMc values obtained from Equation (12). This means a non-linear
indicates that during the first 39 days there occurred only small approximation by least squares method for mean value of the
differences between both variables. In this specific case it originated organic matter (consumed) calculated for the forecast and real
from insignificant impact of corrective coefficient (1a), value of which value i.e.
during the first 39 days of composting varied within the interval of Further work will be focused on determination of the com-
0.83e0.90. Later on, value of that coefficient systematically decreased posting process speed coefficients (k) during the hot phase of the
from 0.83 to 0.3, which was mainly influenced by temperature first composting stage with consideration of other raw materials.
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compounds subjected mainly to the process of mineralisation with Research on mixtures of various raw materials in the co-
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