Rocky Hill Farm Digester Project

By Marianne, Fran, and Joe Buzun

Constructing the Tube

• Two sections– 36 foot section– 17 foot section

• Two sections welded together for total length of 53 feet.

• Diameter is 10 feet

• Total volume approximately 150 yd³.

• Runs at 60-70% capacity.

Delivery of 36 foot section

Welding the two sections

Completed 53 foot tube

Building the Stanchions

• Poured two square concrete pads.

• Made two stanchions out of I-beams and mounted rollers to top to allow tube to rotate on.

• Stanchions made to different heights to create ideal pitch of tube.

Pouring the Concrete Pads

Placement of stands on concrete pads

Tube is placed onto stanchions

Gearing

• Driven by three horsepower electric motor into a gear reducing transmission.

• Transmission is chain driven which drives main chain around tube.

• Turns one revolution every 15 minutes.

Main Sprocket

Gear Reducer

Gear Reducing Transmission

Finished Machine

• Coated with four inches of insulation.

• Temperature reaches between 140-160°F.

• Handles 30 yd³ daily.

• Material takes three days for completion.

Finished before insulation

Finished after insulation

Material to be composted

Product before screening

Material being loaded

Disney Composting Site