[USCC] Heat Recovery From Compost

[Rhonda Sherman]

Hal-
Josh Nelson has developed a heat recovery system from compost piles. Fans
draw air down through the windrows to pipes in the floor. From there, the
compost-heated steam travels to a heat exchanger that warms water in a
bulk tank. The tank water can then be circulated as needed, such as to
heat-radiating pipes in barn or residence floors.

Here's a brief bio on Mr. Nelson: Josh has been professionally involved in
international and domestic agriculture issues and problem solving for 30
years. His work has focused on value added processing and livestock
production. Over the last 15 years, his primary focus has been addressing
improved management of organic waste and compost production. He owned and
operated the largest worm composting facility in the eastern US until
eight years ago, has consulted on business development for Rodale
Institute in several countries, and done professional fund raising and
development work for EARTH University of Costa Rica. He holds several
patents for products developed for the pet and livestock industry and
currently manages AgriLab Technology, Inc., a company whose primary focus
is heat capture from aerobic composting. Josh's phone number is
(802)325-2203 (he's in Vermont).

Regards,
Rhonda Sherman
Extension Solid Waste Specialist
Biological & Agricultural Engineering Department
N. C. State University, Box 7625
Raleigh, NC  27695-7625
Phone 919/515-6770; Fax 919/515-6772
E-mail: rhonda_sherman at ncsu.edu
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/people/faculty/sherman

> Date: Fri, 11 Apr 2008 11:25:00 -0400
> From: hkreher at aol.com
> Subject: [USCC] compost heat recovery
> To: compost at mailman.cloudnet.com
>
> I am investigating heat recovery from composting to be used to heat
> incoming air in our compost building.
>
> I am considering installing pipes in the floor to recover heat from the
> floor or using negative ventilation on the?windorws and recovering heat
> from the air drawn through the windrows.
>
> My compost building is used to compost poultry manure and we are located
> in upstate NY.
>
> I am interested in hearing others' experience with heat recovery.
>
> Hal Kreher
> hkreher at aol.com