Changes in water states during the composting of kitchen waste were determined. Three experiments,
R55, R60, and R65, with different initial moisture contents, 55%, 60%, and 65%, respectively, were performed.
Three water states, entrapped water (EW), capillary water (CW), and multiple-molecular-layer
water (MMLW), were monitored during the experiments. Changes only occurred with the EW and CW
during the composting process. The percentage of EW increased, and the percentage of CW decreased
as the composting process progressed. The R60 experiment performed better than the other experiments
according to changes in the temperature and carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N). The percentage of EW correlated
well (P < 0.05) with the dissolved organic carbon content (DOC), electrical conductivity (EC), pH,
and C/N, and was affected by the hemicellulose and cellulose contents