Compost Process Overview
1 February 2012 | HOTBIN Composting
Try to keep to the green column as best you can.
Composting - the process |
Mass balance | What Goes In | Energy balance |
|
Sum of materials in C= ~50% | Nutrients Carbon/Nitrogen, trace elements Surface area, particle size Energy and water balance In/out lists (food, grass, garden waste) | Sum of energy in ~2400 kJ/kg |
|
| Conditions | |
| Aeration / Oxygen Temperature Water / moisture Ph | |
Sum of conditions |
Oxygen level (determines dominant bacteria) |
Aerobic (>6-21%) | Anaerobic (<6%) |
|
Composting Equipment |
HOTBIN size insulation valve/aeration other | AD plant closed vessel gas system |
| |
| |
Aerobic microorganisms (bacteria, insects etc) Oxygen Pests and vermin | Anaerobic microorganisms (bacteria) No oxygen SO3, NO3 Pests and vermin |
Decomposition intermediates |
Odour (Aerobic) low VP fragrant VOCs | Odour (anaerobic) low VP pungent VOCs, H2S |
What comes out |
Sum of materials out | Compost (C 25%) Quality Ease, labour H&S Environmental Carbon dioxide & Water | Methane Energy recovery Ease (lack of small scale) H&S Environmental Water | Sum of energy out |
Mass balance | Humus (C<3%) | Digestate (C10%) | Energy balance |