A temperature-guided three-stage inoculation method for municipal solid wastes composting

Inoculation is a human-induced measure that can significantly enhance the composting process by increasing the initial microbial population, formulating viable microbial communities, and generating desired enzymes. However, the inoculation efficiency was usually subjected to competitions of indigenous microorganisms. In this study, a temperature-guided three-stage inoculation (TGTSI) method was developed to control the indigenous cell concentrations, and in turn, enhance the composting efficiency. The experimental results indicated that the TGTSI method could effectively suppress the initial cell concentrations of indigenous microorganisms, which resulted in significantly enhancement of biodegradations as well as the reduction of odor emissions. Moreover, a two-stage kinetics method was employed to analyze the TGTSI mechanisms. The model results were consistent with the experimental data. In conclusion, this study implied that TGTSI could not only enhance the composting process but also save system cost.