Static, dynamic and inoculum augmented respiration based test assessment for determining in-vessel compost stability

Aspray, Thomas J.; Dimambro, Mary E.; Wallace, Phil; Howell, Graham and Frederickson, James (2015). Static, dynamic and inoculum augmented respiration based test assessment for determining in-vessel compost stability. Waste Management, 42 pp. 3–9.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2015.04.027

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to evaluate compost (and related industry) stability tests given recent large-scale changes to feedstock, processing techniques and compost market requirements. Five stability tests (ORG0020, DR4, Dewar self-heating, oxygen update rate (OUR) and static respiration) were evaluated on composts from ten in-vessel composting sites. Spearman rank correlation coefficients were strong for the ORG0020, OUR and DR4 (both CO₂ and O₂ measurement), however, OUR results required data extrapolation for highly active compost samples. By comparison the Dewar self-heating and static respiration tests had weaker correlations, in part the result of under reporting highly active, low pH samples. The findings suggest that despite differences in pre-incubation period both dynamic respiration tests (ORG0020 and DR4) are best suited to deal with the wide range of compost stabilities found.

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