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8/2/2019 Transform Compost Operator Manual Teaser
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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
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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.
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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
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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
Mass = Volume x Bulk Density
Trapezoid
Volume= Height x (Width1+Width2) x Length x 0.5 * 1
Effective circumference =
2 x ( ((width2-width1)/2)) 2 + height2 ) + width2
Mass = Volume x Bulk Density
Oval
Approximations:
Volume = Height x Width x Length x 0.75 * 1
Effective circumference= 2.3 x height2 + (width/2)2
Mass = Volume x Bulk Density
Height
Width
Length
Length
Width
Height
Height
Length
Width
Width1
Width2
Height
Length
Effective
circumference
Effective
circumference
Effective
circumference
Effective
circumference
1
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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