A simple spatial model for self-heating compost piles

Abstract

We model the increase in temperature in compost piles due to micro-organisms undergoing exothermic reactions. The model incorporates two types of heat release: one due to biological activity; and the other due to the oxidation of cellulosic materials. In this study we also include the consumption of oxygen. We investigate the bifurcation behaviour and compare the results obtained from models that include and exclude oxygen consumption in both one- and two-dimensional geometries.