Effect of moisture content of a wood matrix on a small-scale biodegradation system for organic solid waste

The optimum working moisture content of a wood matrix for the garbage autom atic decomposer-extinguisher (GADE) machine was investigated using a small- scale degradation reactor. A formula feed for rabbits was used as the model waste. The degradation experiment was conducted under controlled condition s such as moisture content, environmental temperature, and airflow rate. Th e degradation rate was estimated precisely from weight loss and the CO2 evo lution rate. The degradation rate were nearly constant at a moisture conten t of 30%-80% on a wet-weight basis. Microorganisms from the environment pro pagated in the reactor with no inoculums added. The number of microorganism s showed a trend similar to that of the degradation rate. The microorganism community changed according to the moisture content of the matrix and were considered to attain a constant degradation rate at a wide range of moistu re content of a matrix.