Thermocomposting represents a promising strategy for sustainable energy recovery from agri-food waste. This study investigates the thermal performance of six bench-scale compost reactors using different feedstock compositions, including varying biochar concentrations and rehydration strategies for aged woody material. The reactors were monitored over 40 days to assess temperature profiles, heat extraction, and carbon-energy balances. Results show that moderate biochar addition (20%) enhances thermal output, while excessive amounts (30%) suppress peak temperatures. Rehydrating aged material during reactor setup significantly improves energy recovery, outperforming pre-soaked configurations. These findings contribute to optimizing compost heat recovery systems (CHRSs) and support their integration into circular economy frameworks.
THERMOCOMPOSTING OF AGRI-FOOD WASTE: OPTIMIZATION OF ENERGY RECOVERY
Federico Illuminati;Marco Schiavon;Maria Cristina Lavagnolo
2025
Abstract
Thermocomposting represents a promising strategy for sustainable energy recovery from agri-food waste. This study investigates the thermal performance of six bench-scale compost reactors using different feedstock compositions, including varying biochar concentrations and rehydration strategies for aged woody material. The reactors were monitored over 40 days to assess temperature profiles, heat extraction, and carbon-energy balances. Results show that moderate biochar addition (20%) enhances thermal output, while excessive amounts (30%) suppress peak temperatures. Rehydrating aged material during reactor setup significantly improves energy recovery, outperforming pre-soaked configurations. These findings contribute to optimizing compost heat recovery systems (CHRSs) and support their integration into circular economy frameworks.
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