Thermal methods of organic matter maturation monitoring during a composting process

The possibility to use thermal analysis for a quick characterisation of che mical changes in the organic matter of composted materials was tested. Nine samples were taken at progressive stages of maturation from the same trenc h of a fully automated composting plant. DSC and TG were simultaneously per formed in static air conditions on whole ground composts. Progressive stage s in the composting process yielded samples whose DSC traces revealed appre ciable modifications in thermal patterns that agreed well with quantitative data obtained from TG measurements. The ratio between the mass losses asso ciated with the two main exothermic reactions (R1) showed a good sensitivit y in detecting the changes in the level of stabilisation during the compost ing process. Thermal methods seem to be a valid comparative method in evalu ating the level of bio-transformation of materials during a composting proc ess.