Pyrolytic study of compost and waste organic matter

The composition of the pyrolysates varied with the composted waste. The main pyrolysis products of bio- and green waste composts originated from lignin and polysaccharides. In biowaste and municipal solid waste compost, most cellulose-related structures originating from paper and cardboard were degraded after four months of composting. The presence of styrene di- and trimers in the pyrolysate of municipal solid waste compost was in agreement with the occurrence of plastics in this compost. Fatty acids were abundant in the pyrolysis products of sewage sludge and municipal solid waste compost, where they probably originated from greasy waste. Specific ratios of peak areas from pyrolysis products were calculated in order to describe the humification of OM, to confirm the presence of synthetic polymers, to evaluate the contribution of cellulose amongst polysaccharides and to assess the origin and degradation degree of lignin.