EBA Plastic Decomposition Cycle in Landfill

First Few Days from Garbage Waste to Landfill

First Stage of Decomposition

Aerobic period, when aerobic microbes, bacteria are established and moisture is building up in the refuse waste, While standard plastic absorption capability is relatively small, EBA additive causes swelling in the plastic, weakening the polymer bonds and creating molecular spaces where moisture and microbial can rapidly grow during the aerobic digestion process.

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Second Stage of Decomposition ( around 1week to 6 months )

After the soil being cover the refuse waste, oxygen is declined sufficiently, the anaerobic process begin. During the initial hydrolysis stage, the microbes digest the particulates, and through an enzymatic process, reducing larger polymer chains to simpler polymers.

 

During this stage of decomposition, EBA additive causes additional swelling and opens the polymer chain. The increasing of microbes is excited and consume of the polymer chain. When acidogenesis process occurs, where the simple monomers are converted into fatty acids. CO2 production occurs rapidly at this stage.

 

Third Stage of Decomposition ( around 6 - 18 months )

The microbes quantity is increasing to growth, digesting and decompose the polymer chain and creating larger molecular spaces. The acetogenesis process is occurring, the fatty acids is then converted into acetic acid, CO2 and hydrogen. During this process, CO2 rates decline and hydrogen production eventually cease.

 

Final Stage of Decomposition ( around 1 – 5 years, or slightly longer to 8 – 20 years as depends on the plastic thickness )

The microbes are continues to decompose the polymer, acetates are converted into methane ( CH4 ) and carbon dioxide ( CO2 ). This process is called methanogenesis and the process continues until the remaining is changed to organic compound ( biomass/ humus ). The biomass humus is a highly rich nutrition material, and is good for plant and environment.

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*Reference :

HONG KONG EMSD Production of Landfill Gas

https://re.emsd.gov.hk/english/energy/landfill/Production_of_landfill_gas.html