Optimization of the proportion of multi-component rural solid wastes in mixed composting using a simplex centroid...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Agricultural Science
• Waste Management

Background:

• Rural solid waste management is a critical challenge in China.
• Effective disposal methods are needed for environmental sustainability and resource recovery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To optimize a four-component mixed composting system for rural solid waste.
• To determine the ideal proportions of swine manure, human feces, rice straw, and kitchen waste for composting.

Main Methods:

• A simplex centroid design was employed for mixture optimization.
• Twenty-four experimental runs were conducted with varying component ratios.
• Response surface methodology was used to develop and validate predictive models.

Main Results:

• Three predictive models (two special cubic, one quadratic) were developed with high R-squared values (94.76%–98.81%).
• The optimal compost mixture was predicted as 41.4% swine manure, 13.7% human feces, and 44.9% rice straw.
• This blend achieved an optimal value of 0.879, indicating efficient composting.

Conclusions:

• The optimized mixture provides an effective strategy for rural solid waste treatment.
• This approach promotes the resource utilization of agricultural and domestic wastes.
• Findings offer valuable insights for sustainable waste management in rural China.