Effect of Temperature, Aeration, and Moisture on CO(2) Formation in Bench-Scale, Continuously Thermophilic Composting of Solid Waste.

A compost production system was employed to supply uniform material for controlled experiments of factorial design. Over a 96-h composting period, the cumulative amount of CO(2) evolved was maximal at 56 to 60 degrees C, an aeration rate that left an O(2) residual of 10 or 18% in the exhaust gas and a moisture content of 60% wet weight. Carbon dioxide evolution was submaximal at 64 degrees C and higher.