Characterization of VOCs during diesel oil composting process

Abstract

By composting kitchen waste, deisel-contaminated soil was treated and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions were assessed. Composting kitchen waste reduces contamination volume due to gas emissions. An aerobic treatment period of 12 days was conducted for the measurements of VOC emissions from different phases, such as gaseous, solid, and leachate, were conducted throughout the experiment. The results show that VOC concentrations were high during the mesophilic phase and reduced with increasing temperature during the composting period. It has been observed that at least 314 VOCs have been detected during the mesophilic, thermophilic, and cooling phases. Compost odor was mainly caused by NH3, methanethiol, carbon disulfide, dimethyl sulfide, and dimethyl disulfide, and most of these compounds appeared in thermophilic phase. Furthurmore, emissions of VOCs from composting kitchen waste reduces total diesel concentration in the soil to achieve a green and clean environment.