Use of electronic nose and GC-MS in detection and monitoring some VOC

The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of an electronic nose (e-nose) as on-line, rapid method to quantify the MSW composting gases. Changes in selected VOCs (limonene, β-pinene, 2-butanone, undecane, toluene and dimethyl disulfide) during composting were studied and quantified by means of two different analytical methods (GC-MS and e-nose). The results of this study indicate that it is possible to differentiate and quantify the main gases emitted during Municipal Solid Waste- Legume Trimming Residues composting using an electronic nose equipped with 10 Metal Oxide Sensors. The electronic nose was able to detect a clear difference in volatile compounds profile of emitted gases in composting, using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) analysis. PCA successfully reduced the data sets from the sensors to two principal components, which accounted for 74.5%, 68.8% and 62.8% of the total variance by using patterns for initial, thermophilic and mesophilic composting phases respectively.

► We compared two analytical methods in MSW composting (GC-MS and e-nose). ► The higher emissions of VOCs happened at the early stages of the composting. ► Using an e-nose it is possible to differentiate and quantify the main gases emitted.