[USCC] composting whole eggs

[John A. Crockett]

Quite obviously composting whole eggs, the eggs are going to need to be ONE part of a mix of feedstocks, unless they are to go through Anaerobic digestion.

We have developed a system of compost research silos that enable us to test feedstocks.  For example, we compost fish scraps, with NO foul odors outside of the composting system.  Then, we've also developed our Dynamic Bio-Filter(tm) technology to scrub the foul odors, reclaiming the nutrients so they are in the finished compost.  Our Pre-Processing technology enables us to reach 150°F in less than 4½ hours, at which point we're generally moving about 23 times the volume of the compost, in fresh air through the compost, every hour, to hold CO2 ≤ 2% (which means oxygen is maintained at about 19%).  And even at that aeration rate, with some feedstock mixtures, the temperature still goes over 160°F.  We typically shred to ≤ ¼" to provide the microbes with lots of surface area to work on.

IF we want to promote composting as a way to recycle organic residuals, we've got to EARN public support, which includes managing the composting process so that there are NO foul odors to anger neighbors.  That can be done without getting into any kind of in-vessel system and its associated high capital investment. Dynamic Bio-Filtering(tm) does NOT require any vessels, or extra space, and seems to be far more efficient than the more traditional dedicated bio-filters.

At the same time, there are some feedstocks that seem to not support much microbial activity, which don't heat, and don't consume much oxygen; and don't compost quickly.  MY GUESS is that those feedstocks ought to be co-composted with a very high Nitrogen feedstock, like those eggs.

Our research back in 1996-1998 showed that passive aeration by convection for windrows is grossly inadequate.  Graphs showing oxygen, CO2 and temperature, on a cross section profile basis, for windrows, have been on our website, available to all, since May of 1998 when we opened the website.  Though I have repeatedly asked to see cross section profile data to support the THEORY of passive aeration, so far NO ONE has shown me any cross section profile data on oxygen & CO2 to support the CLAIM that convection will provide adequate aeration.

I've heard CLAIMS that daily turning will keep windrows aerobic, and yet our research has repeatedly demonstrated that the microbes can crash the oxygen level from 19% down to 2% in as little as 15 minutes.  OF course this depends on feedstocks and how many active microbes are present to consume the oxygen.  IF little oxygen is being consumed, that is a sure indication that there are few active aerobic microbes consuming oxygen.

Working Together to Create a Sustainable Environment,
John A. Crockett, a.k.a. Dr. Mike Robe
Mother Nature's Farms, Inc.
(845) 225-7763
http://www.magicsoil.com/
jac at magicsoil.com