[USCC] Methods of moisture application at compost facilities

[Matthew Cotton]

Paul -

Are you more interested in how to get the appropriate starting moisture 
content in the Poly Flex bags, or back into the windrows once the 
material is out of the bags and being windrowed?

One concept I have observed (observed, not operated) that appears very 
effective and yet underutilized for starting moisture is a mixing unit 
of some kind (often a truck). A mixing unit would appear to be a very 
effective way to assure desired moisture is added at the start (as well 
as desired carbon to nitrogen/bulking agent to food scraps ratio, etc) 
as well as providing numerous other benefits you get from adequate and 
thorough mixing. This would seem particularly crucial in situations 
like yours in that once the materials are in the bag, you can't do much 
to increase moisture or available carbon, for example.  I have visited 
hundreds of facilities but only rarely see mixing trucks (for example, 
I can only think of one California facility that has a dedicated mixing 
truck (yes, I know that many windrow operators rely on their turners 
for mixing, but I'm not sure they are as effective as a mixing unit).  
Feel free to ignore this if you were thinking just about maintaining 
moisture in windrows.

One of the best systems I've observed for adding water to existing 
windrows is the Grover facility you mentioned (using the Mid West 
Biosystems Aeromaster turner, which injects water directly into the 
windrow as it is being turned.). But I also think that Grover works 
hard to manage pile fundamentals. You are correct that maintaining 
moisture is one of the biggest challenges to composters this side of 
the Mississippi (with possible coastal exceptions). I've also observed 
that what works for one site might not work for another, primarily due 
to scale.

The other Holy Grail would be to figure out a way for California 
composters to cost-effectively store all of our winter rainfall for 
summer moisture addition. Let me know when you get that worked out ; 
 >).

Hope this is useful.

Matthew Cotton
Integrated Waste Management Consulting, LLC
19375 Lake City Road
Nevada City, CA  95959
(530) 265-4560
Fax (530) 265-4547
mattcotton at mindspring.com

On Aug 25, 2006, at 4:38 PM, Paul Gamble wrote:

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> Listserve--
>
> Like many of you, I am constantly trying to make the composting 
> operation and process more efficient.  I am writing to solicit 
> anecdotes, experiences, and general wisdom on the application of water 
> to compost facilities.  For the sake of narrowing the scope of this 
> discussion so that I can "mine" the information that pertains to our 
> geographic region and operation, here are a few details of our 
> operations: outdoors, improved surfaces, decent buffer between our 
> sites and neighbors, green (windrow) and food waste (Poly-flex 
> (previously Ag-Bag vessels)) feedstock, combination of static and 
> mechanically aerated windrows/piles, hot summers, mild winters with 
> (lately) 25" of rain.  We currently use a water truck to apply water 
> to our piles.
>
> Based on my observations during the last 5 years, it seems that 
> maintaining optimum moisture (the value of which changes during the 
> life of the composting process) is the variable in California that 
> most catalyzes the decomposition process.  I realize that water is far 
> from the limiting factor in many region of the US and the world, but 
> in most parts of California during most seasons, organic waste piles 
> can't get enough of it.  If possible, I'd prefer to avoid discussion 
> on moisture retention through covering piles with textiles, and focus 
> mainly on effective moisture application to piles.
>
> Here are the current methods that come to mind:
>
> 1) Water truck side spray and/ or boom application
>
> 2) Windrow turner fit with internal spray bar hooked up to either 
> water truck or plumbed to water (Midwest Biosystems approach)
>
> 3) Irrigated site
> 	a) Oscillating sprinkler system
> 	b) Overhead sprinkler system
> 	c) Drip irrigation
>
> Thanks for your input.
>
> Paul Gamble
> Compost Specialist
> Norcal Waste Systems, Inc.
> 707.693.2107 (desk)
> 707.249.1821 (cell)
> 707.678.5148 (fax)
> www.jepsonprairieorganics.com
>
>
>
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