Biodrying technology is commonly used in Thailand to produce refuse-derived fuel (RDF), however, this technology remains ineffective on high-moisture waste. Air supply is key to ensuring homogenous temperature development within the waste matrix during biodrying, increasing RDF quality. This study investigated negative aeration during local municipal solid waste biodrying to meet RDF standards in reduced time. Lysimeter experiments were performed on pre-shredded waste (300 kg/m3) using different aeration patterns. The temperature, vent gas oxygen level, weight loss, and leachate volume during the biodrying process were monitored. In addition, the treated waste’s temperature, moisture, and heating values were evaluated to determine the biodrying process efficiency. The results indicate that shorter heating phases can be achieved during continuous aeration. No significant temperature variation was observed in the waste layers, with a low standard deviation of 1.96% during constant air supply, indicating homogeneous temperature development during the biodrying process. The vent gas contained 15–20% oxygen and non-detectable methane, evidencing sufficient air supply. The total heat development was independent of aeration pattern; therefore, biodrying was unaffected by excess air supply at a 95% confidence level. The highest weight loss and moisture content reduction were 25% and 66%, respectively. The optimal aeration was continuous mode with non-excessive aeration, increasing the lower heating value from 2,884.0 to 4,938.0 kCal/kg, and reducing the moisture content from 48.5% to 22.2%. RDF quality can be improved 1.7 times to meet Thailand’s standards within a short biodrying period of 7 days using homogeneous temperature distribution operated under continuous aeration

Biodrying is an essential part of the mechanical–biological treatment process that minimizes moisture content and simultaneously maximizes heating value for refuse-derived fuel (RDF) production. Although the mechanical separation process operates effectively in Thailand’s RDF production, high organic content levels and their degradation cause moisture contamination in RDF, producing wet RDF. Aeration is essential for an effective biodrying process, and can reduce RDF’s moisture content as well as increase its heating value. To maximize the biodrying effect, aeration should be optimized based on the waste conditions. This study proposes a modified aeration-supplied configuration for wet RDF biodrying. The aeration rate was modified based on the period within the biodrying operation; the first period is from the beginning until day 2.5, and the second period is from day 2.5 to day 5. The optimal aeration supply configuration was 0.5 m³/kg/day in the first period and then 0.3 m³/kg/day until the end of the process; this configuration yielded the greatest moisture content decrease of 35% and increased the low heating value of the biodried product by 11%. The final moisture content and low heating value were 24.07% and 4787 kcal/kg, respectively. Therefore, this optimal aeration-supplied configuration could be applied to meet the moisture content and low heating value requirements of the RDF production standard for Thailand’s local cement industry.

Shallow windrow piles were applied as a low-cost option for biostabilisation of municipal solid wastes (MSW) prior to their utilization as refuse-derived fuel (RDF). A considerable amount of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions can be emitted during the biostabilisation of MSW, especially when in operation under high moisture conditions such as there are in tropical Asia. This study investigated the emission of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) from shallow windrow piles – with heights of 0.5–1.0 m – for the stabilization of MSW at a full-scale facility in Thailand. Measurements of CH₄, CO₂, and N₂O emissions using the static-chamber method revealed high spatial heterogeneity characteristics in all zones with different waste ages. Peak methane emissions were observed after four months of biostabilisation. The average spatial methane emissions from the waste piles ranged from 7.33 to 26.88 g m⁻² d⁻¹ (14.86 g m⁻² d⁻¹, on average). The CH₄ generation-rate constant was within the range of 3.3 to 4.0 yr⁻¹, which is higher than that reported – about 2.20–3.50 yr⁻¹ – from a deep windrow pile (3.5–4.0 m height). The spatial distribution of N₂O emissions was in the range of 4.51–199.14 mg N₂O t⁻¹dry wt.d⁻¹ (6.6–111.7 mg N₂O m⁻² d⁻¹), similar to those previously studied from landfill operations. This shallow windrow pile technique can be applied as low-cost technology for biostabilisation of MSW in developing countries, where land area is available. Implications: Shallow windrow pile was applied as a low-cost option for biological treatment of municipal solid waste in developing countries where land area is available. This study evaluated the greenhouse gas emission characteristics during the operation of windrow pile. The findings suggest that the emission rates were varied spatially with waste ages in different zones. Higher methane generation rate constant was derived from shallow window pile as compared to deep windrow pile. The methane and nitrous oxide emission factors were derived.