In this study, we investigated four treatments. The first three
treatments comprised 15% of one of the three different BAs and
85% kitchen waste (wet weight), and we call these the CS, SD,
and SMS treatments. The fourth control treatment (CK) comprised
100% kitchen waste.
A specially designed laboratory-scale reactor (60-L in volume,
0.6 m high, 0.36 m inner diameter) was used in this study. The
cylindrical vessels had removable lids and were insulated with
two layers of stainless steel for heat preservation. On the lid were
two holes, one for a temperature sensor and the other for gas sampling.
The temperature sensor was connected to a computer to
automatically record the data. At the bottom of the reactor, a stainless
steel grid with holes of diameter 3 mm was installed to support
the composting pile and ensure uniform gas distribution.
There were two holes in the bottom of the reactor for aeration
(using a controllable air pump) and leachate drainage. To provide