[USCC] capturing the surplus microbial metabolic heat from composting

[John A. Crockett]

We’re finding that when we have two of our compost research silos (about 11
cubic feet of compost)  really active, that we’re able to capture enough
heat to heat over 1,000 square feet of poorly insulated living space, 60
miles north of New York City, in the kind of weather we’ve been getting
lately.  We’re getting 15 – 20° temperature rise in 122cfm of air going
through our secondary heat exchanger.  

Okay, we're composting food residuals, we're shredding to < 1/4", and we're
holding the CO2 in the off-gas down to 2% or less most of the time,
adjusting the rate of air flow based on the CO2 level in the off-gas, and
usually that means that we're providing aeration at about 23 times the
volume of the compost, in fresh air, every HOUR.  

Because of the feedstock we're using, and the fine shredding, we generally
have to turn the compost every day to maintain uniform porosity and
moisture, and the turning gives us an opportunity to rehydrate.  

Is anyone out there who is doing serious practical research on the
composting process?  Is anyone else regularly checking the oxygen and / or
CO2 level in their compost, or are people either assuming their compost is
aerobic, or don't even care?  

For those interested, information about our research can be found on the
"Research" page of our website.

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