Department of Environmental Science, Cook College, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08903.
Appl Environ Microbiol. 1981 Jun;41(6):1321-30. doi: 10.1128/aem.41.6.1321-1330.1981.
Rational composting process control involves the interrelated factors of heat output, temperature, ventilation, and water removal. The heat is released microbially at the expense of organic material; temperature is an effect and, because it is a determinant of microbial activity, it is also a cause of heat output; ventilation supplies oxygen and removes heat, mainly through the vaporization of water; water removal results from heat removal. These relationships were implemented in a field-scale process of static-pile configuration, using a mixture of sewage sludge and wood chips. Heat removal was matched to heat output through a temperature feedback control system, thereby maintaining biologically favorable temperatures. The observations indicate that fundamentally there are two kinds of composting systems: those that are and those that are not temperature self-limiting. The self-limiting system reaches inhibitive temperatures (>60 degrees C) which debilitate the microbial community, suppressing decomposition, heat output, and water removal. In contrast, non-self-limiting temperatures (<60 degrees C) support a robust community, promoting decomposition, heat output, and water removal.
合理的堆肥过程控制涉及到热量输出、温度、通风和水分去除等相互关联的因素。微生物以有机物质为代价释放热量；温度是一种效应，由于它是微生物活动的决定因素，因此也是热量输出的原因；通风提供氧气并去除热量，主要通过水的蒸发；水分去除是由于热量去除。这些关系在使用污水污泥和木屑混合物的静态堆配置的现场规模过程中得到了实施。通过温度反馈控制系统来匹配热量去除和热量输出，从而保持生物有利的温度。观察结果表明，从根本上讲，有两种堆肥系统：一种是温度自我限制的，另一种是温度不受自我限制的。自我限制系统达到抑制性温度（>60 摄氏度），使微生物群落衰弱，抑制分解、热量输出和水分去除。相比之下，非自我限制的温度（<60 摄氏度）支持一个强大的群落，促进分解、热量输出和水分去除。
