[USCC] Food waste composting

[Craig Coker]

Steve:

I would surmise the vinegar odor is coming from acetic acid. Acetic acid can
be formed in composting food wastes if fermented foods like beer, wine or
cider are present.  Does your food waste contain any materials like that?
Excessive amounts of acetic acid would explain the low pH.  What are your
mixing ratios?

Regards,
Craig

Craig Coker
Coker Composting & Consulting
3331 Glade Creek Blvd.
Ste. 7
Roanoke, VA  24012
(540) 904-2698
Fax: (540) 904-6732
Cell: (540) 874-5168
craigcoker at cox.net
www.cokercompost.com
 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at composter.com [mailto:compost-bounces at composter.com]
On Behalf Of Steve Kroening
Sent: Sunday, August 27, 2006 5:00 PM
To: US Composting Council Compost Discussion List
Subject: [USCC] Food waste composting

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> Hi all
> 
> Does anyone have any experience with the development of what seems to be
an unusual microbial population producing acids during the continuous flow
in-vessel composting of greenwaste and food waste? We have noticed a vinegar
smell to the exhaust gas, a pH of the compost of 5 (after 7-10 days
composting) and temperatures not rising above 45-50*C.
> 
> Regards
> Steve
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