[USCC] Oxy6gen requirements for composting bio-solids

[John A. Crockett]

Over the past nine days we've done some preliminary research on composting
bio-solids.   We blended in a shredder a bulking material other than wood
shavings, which gave us a nice texture, moisture content of about 53%.
While I had been told that 500cfh / dry ton, excluding bulking agent was
enough air, including the material we used to correct the moisture content
and we believe, provide a readily available source of carbon, the average of
12 air flow tests has been 2,222cfh, per dry ton of compost; 16.3 times the
volume of the compost, in fresh air every hour.  That is to yield CO2 in the
off-gas between 1 - 2%.  Other research that we've done suggests that CO2
over 4% significantly suppresses the population of active bacteria.

We're generally using vacuum of about 0.25"wc to pull the air through the
compost.  Daily turning seems to be important when dealing with particle
size of less than ¼".  As of 7 days ago the moisture content was 53%.
Samples taken this morning after turning the compost, are in the drying oven
now and we'll have that data by tomorrow morning. 

We're questioning what affects higher pile depth will have on the aeration
and will research that in the course of time.

Is our research methodology flawed, or is it possible that the 500cfh / dry
ton, is flawed, regardless of the source of that belief? Granted, our sample
size is only 4.18 - 6.4 cubic feet.  

We have no incentive to publish in peer reviewed journals.  When I did a
Google search a few days ago for "compost research silos" our work came up
four out of the top four search results.  Doesn't anyone else recognize the
value of R&D, and the cost of relying on popular beliefs that may not be
good process technology?

In the meantime, we'd like to network with others who are really interested
in improving the efficiency of the composting process.  Contact information
is below.

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