transform compost operator manual teaser

8/2/2019 Transform Compost Operator Manual Teaser

1/15

Compost

FacilityOperator

ManualA compost facility operatortraining course reference and guide

John Paul andDieter Geesing


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Dedication

This book is also de

cated to Jose, and the m

and women like him who

rom moment to momewith the dream that perh

their children and grandc

dren can have an educat

and a uture in a world t

we have the responsibility

take care o.

This book is dedicated

our children and youth, w

have a passion or recycl

and taking care o our woand a simple trust that we

do the same.


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Table o Contents

1.0 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.1 Objectives o Composting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

1.2 The Composting Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.0 Elements o Composting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.1 The Composting Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.2 Actors o the Composting Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.3 Stages and Phases o the Composting Process . . . . . . . . .2.3.1 The First Stage: The Active (or Primary) Composting . . . .

2.3.2 The Curing or Maturation Stage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.4 Basic Process Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2.4.1 Oxygen Content, Porosity, Free Air Space,

Bulk Density and Particle Size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.4.2 Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.4.3 Moisture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.4.4 Nitrogen and Carbon Content: C/N ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.4.5 Biodegradability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

2.4.6 pH o the Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.0 Feedstock and Material Handling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1 Feedstock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.1.1 Composting Substrate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1.2 Bulking Agents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.1.3 Additives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2 Common Raw Materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.2.1 Manure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.2 Plant Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.2.3 Paper Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.3 Food Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.2.4 Other Waste . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.4 Feedstock Receiving And Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3.5 Preprocessing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3.5.1 Sorting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .


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3.5.3.3 C:N Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

3.5.3.4 pH Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

3.5.3.5 Priority o Parameters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

4.0 Active Composting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

4.1 Parameters o the Active Composting Process . . . . . . . . . 48

4.1.1 Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 484.1.1.1 Purpose o Turning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

4.1.1.2 Turning Frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

4.1.1.3 Turning Equipment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

4.1.2 Aeration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

4.1.3 Temperature Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

4.1.4 Moisture Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

4.1.4 Oxygen Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

4.2 Classifcation o Active Composting Processes . . . . . . . . . 57

4.3 Active Composting Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 594.3.1 Static Pile/Windrow Composting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

4.3.2 Turned-Windrow Composting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

4.3.3 Aerated Static Pile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

4.7.4 Turned and Aerated Composting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

4.4 Comparing Composting Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

5.0 Curing and Postprocessing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

5.1 Curing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

5.2 The End o the Composting Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 725.2.1 Indicators o Compost Maturity and Stability . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

5.2.2 Time Required or Composting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

5.3 Drying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

5.4 Post Processing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 775.4.1 Film Plastic Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

5.5 Feedstock Volume and Mass Shrinkage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

5.6 Bagging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

5.7 Disposal and Overs Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

6.0 Environmental Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83


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6.1.4 Odor Management Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.1.4.1 Feedstock Handling to Minimize Odor . . . . . . . .

6.1.4.2 Compost Process Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.1.5 Odor Treatment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.1.5.1 Biolter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.1.5.2 Biolter Perormance Control

Methods and Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.1.5.3 Other Odorous Gas Treatment Technologies . .

6.2 Ventilation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.3 Other Air Pollution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.4 Water Quality . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16.4.1 Leachate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

6.4.1.1 Leachate Prevention and Reduction . . . . . . . . . .1

6.4.1.2 Leachate Reuse, Collection or Disposal . . . . . . .1

6.4.2 Constructed Wetlands. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

6.5 Noise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

7.0 Finished Compost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

7.1 Compost Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

7.2 Compost Quality, Quality Assurance and

Quality Control (QA/QC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17.3 Compost Uses and Markets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

7.3 Marketing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

8.0 Regulations Afecting Compostand The Production O Compost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

8.1 Compost Quality and Compost Process Requirements 1

8.2 Compost and Fertilizer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19.0 Other Aspects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

9.1 General Saety Aspects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

9.2 Health concerns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

9.3 Fire Contingency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

9.4 Record Keeping . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1


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10.0 Calculations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

10.1 Windrow Sizing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141

10.2 Bulk Density . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

10.3 Moisture Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

10.3.1 Converting rom wet weight basis to dry weight basis . .14410.4 C/N ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

10.4 Carbon Content . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

10.5 Material Mix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

Appendix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Acronyms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Useul Conversions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Raw Material . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162

Selection o Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

Reerences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169


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microorganisms. The benets or plants

include increased plant growth and vigor

and reduced requirements or ertilizer,

water and pesticides.

There are our key steps during the typ-

ical composting process. These include:eedstock pre-pocessing where the eed-

stock is treated and blended to achieve a

mix with desired overall characteristics,

the active composting important or

pathogen kill, the curing necessary to

obtain a mature and stable product, and

the post-processing required to meet

quality criteria or sale and distributiono the product.

This composting manual is organized in

such a way as to ollow the steps o the

composting process. Chapter 2 provides

a basic understanding o composting. The types o eedstocks, bulking agent

and compost blend preparation is discussed in Chapter 3. The composting

process and the various composting methods is outlined in Chapter 4. Chapter

4 includes curing and post processing. Chapter 5 discusses environmentalimpacts such as odor, water quality and noice. (to be continued).

Enhances plant health and yield

through increased plant vigor

Is pathogen-free or even suppresses

pathogens

Is free of weed seeds

Reduces required inputs

(fertilizer, water, pesticides)

Is inexpensive to produce

What is a suitable plant growth medium

COMPOSTING PROCESS

Active Composting

Curing

Compost

Feedstock

Preprocessing

Post ProcessingFour Key Stages

of Composting


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2 ELEMENTS OF COMPOSTING

2.1 The Composting Process

A simplied chemical equation or aerobic respiration which takes place d

ing composting is as ollows:H

2O + C

6H

12O

6+ micro-organisms + O

2CO

2+ H

2O + heat energy + micro-organis

where C6H

12O

6represent car-

bonaceous material that with

addition o microbes and the

presence o oxygen yield carbon

dioxide, water vapor and heat

energy.

The carbonaceous material is

added to a composting system

in the orm o eedstock. Feed-

stock is a mix o various organic

compounds and the type o eedstock used will alter the general equat

or composting described above. Using municipal sludge or example, Ha

(1993) determined the carbonaceous oxygen demand as ollows:

C10H19O3N + 12.5 O2 10 CO2 + 8 H2O + NH3

Where C10

H19

O3N represents the sewage sludge. In reality, composting can

be summarized with one single equation: The organic material eedsto

contains a large variety o organic and inorganic compounds, and the comp

process produces a multitude o intermediate compounds and nal produc

2.2 Actors o the Composting Process

Composting involves a succession

o microbial activities where the en-

vironment created by one group o

microorganism invites the activity o

successive groups. Dierent types o

microorganisms are active at dierent

times in the composting pile. A com-

post pile is a complex ecosystem con-

The Composting Process

Organic

Matter

MineralsWater

Micro-

organisms

Raw Material

Oxygen

Organic

Matter

MineralsWate

Micro-

organisms

Finished

Produc

WaterHeat

CO2

Compost

Pile


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and animals. Above 70C (158 C), the

diversity o microbes becomes limited

to only a ew species that can operate

above these temperatures and the ef-

ciency o the composting process may

be compromised. Temperature monitor-

ing should be part o the daily routine o

the compost acility operator.

Rule o Thumb: Temperature Requirements

Temperature should be maintained or at least 10 days between 55C (131F) an

70C (158F) as a prerequisite or a pathogen-ree high-quality fnal product

2.4.3 Moisture

Water plays a number o import

roles within a composting syste

It is essential to all lie orms incl

ing decomposer organisms. W

ter is also a powerul solvent a

leachate (water that have been

contact with organic material) m

sometimes contain trace eleme

organic compounds, pesticides, salts and pathogens.

Water also plays a role in regulating temperature in compost systems. Wa

has a high specic heat, meaning it takes a large amount o energy to ra

a mass o water by one degree Celsius. I too much water is present withi

compost pile it will take longer or the temperature o the pile to increase.

Micro-organisms o the compost

process live predominantly in the wter lms around and in particles, a

water is also the key ingredient t

transports substances within a co

posting mass. Oxygen reaches ae

bic micro-organism in water lms

gas exchange at the lm surace. G

exchange through water is slow

MOISTURE (WATER)

powerful solvent

leachate control

odor control

strong eroding force

leachate control

facility designhigh specific heat

moderates wide swings intemperature

biological activity

essential for life

essential for microbial activity

essential for composting

Aerobic micro-organisms live in water-films in and around

particles but require air for respiration

Gas Exchange

Gas transport is faster in air pores than in water


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Liquid ingredients such as manure slurries, dairy wastes or some sh proce

ing wastes pose special handling challenges because they need to be inc

porated into the composting mix without making it soggy. Many liquids a

present a potential odor problem.

As a rule, the higher the mo

ture content o the orgamaterial, the greater the ne

to maintain a large void v

ume to ensure adequate ae

tion and to avoid compacti

For example, biosolids l

porosity and require mix

with bulking material such

wood chips and/or straw.The moisture content o a w

material can be adjusted with dry bulking agents only to a limited extent

is important to understand that the addition o drier bulking agent to a w

composting substrate substantially increases the space requirements or co

posting.

Case Study

One thousand tonnes (1,103 tons) o a waste containing 80% moisture andbulk density o 850 kg m3 (1400 lb yd3) has a volume o 1,176 m3 (1,569 yd

Adding bulking agent to bring the moisture content to 60% requires 1,00

tonnes o a material that is 40% moisture and a bulk density o 500 kg m

(827 lb yd3). The resulting blend would have a moisture content o 60% and

bulk density o 630 kg m3 (1041 lb yd3) and a volume o 3,175 m3 (4,155 yd

Moisture content goal o 65% moisture would require only 600 tonnes

bulking agent resulting in a total volume o 3,108 m3 (2,376 yd3).

In some cases, the use o orced aeration

and turning may be a more efcient com-

posting strategy to allow composting at

a higher moisture content in order to re-

duce compost acility size.

Liquids can be added during the initial

mixing process i a eedstock mix is below

MOISTURE MANAGEMENT contd

Optimal Moisture Content

of Different Feedstock

Material

Moisture Content (%)

NewspaperOrganic Household

Waste

Mixed

Household

Waste

Municipal Sewage Sludge

Sludge fromHousehold

Waste

Kitchen Scraps

MunicipalSewage Sludge

Kitchen

Scraps

Other Household

Waste

Household

Waste pH 8

8.3

ADJUSTING MOISTURE CONTENT

Effect of Adding Dry Bulking Agents to Compost

Blend Volume at Various Moisture Content

Targets

2000

4000

6000

8000

Cubicmeters

Bulking agent

Waste


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5 CURING AND POSTPROCESSING

5.1 Curing

The composting process is not com-

plete until the compost has been

properly cured. The curing stage o the

composting process occurs ater read-

ily available organic matter has been

degraded by the microbes during the

active composting process. During

the curing process the degradation o

more complex molecules such as lig-

nin continues and biologically stable

humic substances are ormed romintermediate metabolic products.

The active composting process is

generally between 3 8 weeks, and

includes the time required or pathogen

kill. The end o the active composting

process and the beginning o the curing

stage is gradual and oten determined

by the system or the operator. A steady

decline in temperature oten indicates

the transition between the two stages,

although the temperature may rise

again when the material is remixed to

build the curing pile.

A curing period o at least our weeks

is recommended ater the activecomposting process to achieve a high-

quality compost product. As in the case

o active composting without orced

aeration and/or with low turning

requency, the curing period can be

six months or longer. Oten, curing

piles are also compost storage piles.

The sale o compost is usually seasonal

COMPOSTING PROCESS

Waste

Active Composting

Curing

Compost

Preprocessing

Post Processing

Curing

CURING

Compost will not be mature

unless it has been properly cured

Why do we need curing ?

Immature/unstable compost may be the cause of

N immobilization in soil

Phytotoxicity (fatty acids, trace elements,

ammonia)

Odor

Curing: OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

There is no specific point at which curing should begin

Windrows: No reheating after turning

Forced aeration: Steady temperature decrease

Minimum one month of curing

Time requirement dependents on intended use of compost

During the curing phase the need forturning is

greatly reduced

Decreased risk of odor development

Still a need for low levels of oxygen for microbial activity

construction of curing piles and/or windrows has to allow forpassive airflow through the windrow

recommended size for a curing pile is 3-5 meters (10 -15 ft) high

and 5 10 meters (15 30 ft) wide

Curing: OPERATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS contd

Windrows should be kept in dry areas, away from excess

moisture to avoid piles becoming anaerobic

Pile shape should avoid water ponding (anaerobic

conditions, vectors)

Curing area should be well drained with surface runoff

channeled away from piles on impermeable surface


12/15

The principles o leachate management include leachate prevention and

reduction, reuse and removal or treatment. Removal or treatment o leachate

can be costly.

6.4.1.1 Leachate Prevention and Reduction

One goal is to minimize entry o run-

on water (eg. precipitation, snowmelt)

onto the site. Roo water and other

clean water can be diverted away rom

any organic material. Leachate can be

minimized by:

Design o a proper eedstock mix.

A proper mix should not gener-

ate leachate on its own, otherwise

the mix is too wet and the

mix must be revised. Main-

tain windrows and piles

at a moisture content

below the maximum rec-ommended level o 60%.

Proper carbon/nitrogen

ratio (C/N ratio) balancing

will also help to minimize

the loss o nitrogen into the

leachate.

Protecting (covering) eed-

PREVENT

REDUCE

REUSE

DISPOSE

FeedstockManagement +CompostingTechnology

Moisture

Management

Sewage

LEACHATE MANAGEMENT contd

Run-on Cover

Diversion (berms, ditches, vegetation filter,grading, etc.)

Run-off If clean Percolation in soil or diversion tosedimentation pond prior to discharge in off-siteenvironment

Else leachate

Leachate Collection and Reuse

Collection and Remove(ex.:municipal waste water plant)

LEACHATE MANAGEMENT contd

Leachate Management: PREVENTION

Facility design: cover and/or diversion and

separation of feedstock, compost and

composting-related equipment

Storage of feedstock away from surface water

and drainage path

Properfeedstock mix and procedure (moisturecontent)

Cleanliness

Monitoring

Adding too much water at the beginning o the process re-

sults in leachate and odor.


13/15

lowing a thorough decomposition

and humication, it has stabilized

and matured, providing valuable soil

organic matter.

For potting mixes, the amount o

compost that can be added typically

ranges rom 1/10 to 1/3 (by volume),

depending primarily on the nutrient

content and the EC o the compost. A

common blend or growing vegeta-

bles, or example, is 1/3 greenwaste

compost, 1/3 perlite and 1/3 peat

moss. For woody plants, a mix can be

1/3 greenwaste compost, 1/3 coarse

sand and 1/3 milled bark. With this

amount o compost in the blend, er-

tilizing is generally not required or

the rst weeks as the compost will

supply all o the nutrition requiredor plant growth.

Compost can also be used as amend-

ment to garden and feld soils. When

making repeated applications, it is im-

portant to remember that about 8-12%

o the nitrogen is released annually. This

nitrogen release results rom urther

N immobilization with high

C/N ratio compost

The practical signicance o the C/

ratio becomes apparent when w

understand the implication o addin

high C/N ratio compost to soil.

Consider when material with a hig

C/N ratio o 55 (or example co

stalks), is added to the soil.

The microbial community respon

to the new ood supply. He

erotrophic microorganisms becom

active, and multiply rapidly. Becauo the high C/N ratio, relatively litt

nitrogen is available rom the ne

ood source, and the soil microorga

isms have to steal the nitrogen ro

the nitrogen already available in th

soil which reduces the nitrogen ava

able to higher plants.

This condition can persist or wee

until the activities o the decay o

ganisms subside. Plants growing

media amended with imprope

composted material may becom

stunted or die. First symptoms o

the plants are yellowing o the ne

leaves. Treating the symptoms at

they appear is generally too late.

Compost is an excellent growing media ingredi-

ent as it provides benefcial microorganisms and

nutrients, and balances pH.

SOME COMPOST APPLICATIONS

SOIL REMEDIATION:

Compost binds heavy metals and other contaminants,reducing leachability and bioabsorption

Compost contributes to the degradation of petroleumcontaminants in soils

WETLAND RESTORATION: Compost enhances wetland

restoration by simulating characteristics of wetland soils

EROSION CONTROL: Coarser composts used as mulch


14/15

10 Calculations

10.1 Windrow Sizing

Rectangle

Volume = Height x Width x Length

Effective circumference= 2x height + width

Mass = Volume x Bulk Density

Triangle

Volume = Height x Width x Length x 0.5

Effective circumference= 2x height2 + (width/2)2


Trapezoid

Volume= Height x (Width1+Width2) x Length x 0.5 * 1

Effective circumference =

2 x ( ((width2-width1)/2)) 2 + height2 ) + width2


Oval

Approximations:

Volume = Height x Width x Length x 0.75 * 1

Effective circumference= 2.3 x height2 + (width/2)2


Height

Width

Length

Length

Width

Height

Height

Length

Width

Width1

Width2

Height

Length

Effective

circumference

Effective

circumference

Effective

circumference

Effective

circumference

1


15/15

About the Authors

John Paul obtained a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Soil Fertility rom the

University o Guelph. He worked as a waste management research scientist

with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and he has published numerous

scientifc articles on composting. John has been president o Transorm

Compost Systems since 1998 and has designed composting acilities in

Canada, the US and overseas.

Dieter Geesing has worked or many years as scientist and lecturer at

universities in Europe, Arica, Asia and the US. He has a long experience as

consultant and manager o environmental and rural development projects

or European and United Nation agencies, NGOs and communities. Dieter

holds a M.Sc. in Forestry, a M.Sc. in Plant and Soil Science and a Ph.D. in

Natural Sciences.

Some Comments from Course Participants

the material is relevant I could relate the information to our current

operation and could see areas for improvement and upgrades

good mix of technical and practical information.

Excellent knowledge base of presenters.

approachable instructors. Life experience scenarios

answered many questions I had, appropriate for any compost

technology overall

good mix of theory and practice; great presentation, and

I appreciate the course book for further reference

ISBN:978-0-9810328-0-1

transform compost operator manual teaser

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