Release of volatile organic compounds during bio-drying of municipal solid waste

Three treatments were tested to investigate the release concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during the bio-drying of municipal solid waste (MSW) by the aerobic and combined hydrolytic-aerobic processes. Results showed that VOCs were largely released in the first 4 days of bio-drying and the dominant components were: dimethyl disulfide, dimethyl sulfide, benzene, 2-butanone, limonene and methylene chloride. Thus, the combined hydrolytic-aerobic process was suggested for MSW bio-drying due to fewer aeration quantities in this phase when compared with the aerobic process, and the treatment strategies should base on the key properties of these prominent components. Malodorous sulfur compounds and terpenes were mainly released in the early phase of bio-drying, whereas, two peaks of release concentrations appeared for aromatics and ketones during bio-drying. Notably, for the combined hydrolytic-aerobic processes there were also high concentrations of released aromatics in the shift from hydrolytic to aerobic stages. High concentrations of released chlorinateds were observed in the later phase. For the VOCs produced during MSW bio-drying, i.e., malodorous sulfur compounds, terpenes and chlorinateds, their release concentrations were mainly determined by production rates; for the VOCs presented initially in MSW, such as aromatics, their transfer and transport in MSW mainly determined the release concentrations.