[USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting

[Chaney, Rufus]

Dear USCC folks:

I can see some of the old experts on composting spinning in their graves
on these "anaerobic composting" claims. It is not correct to say
"anaerobic composting". As Eliot Epstein noted, composting is by
definition an aerobic thermophilic process. Not mesophilic like
anaerobic digestion at 35C. But 55C or above to kill pathogens and
obtain aerobic stabilization. Anaerobic digestion is a useful process to
generate methane and reduce mass of an unstable biomass. But it does not
attain the stability of aerobic processing. Recent trials of
thermophilic anaerobic digestion (to obtain pathogen kill and
stabilization) produced putrid end products which were not ready to go
to land. But thermophilic aerobic digestion gave a low odor product from
input sewage solids. Just no energy recovery historically used to power
pumps at POTWs. And their product is not ready for commercial
application; rather normal controlled land application of the wet or
dewatered product. Composting yields a semi-dry friable product ready to
mix in soils for many uses.

If you still think it appropriate to use "anaerobic composting", please
read some of the classic texts and official documents on composting and
present some rationale to justify the use. Don't just say that some
particular group use it for the commercial benefit of using the
"composting" name. That is simply cheating as sometimes occurs with
commercial interests.

Consider the STA seal of approval. It requires a showing that the
material actually composted at 55C or above to obtain the benefits of
composting, not some arbitrary claim of the submitter.

Regards,

Rufus Chaney
Beltsville, MD.

-----Original Message-----
From: compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com
[mailto:compost-bounces at mailman.cloudnet.com] On Behalf Of Steve Diver
Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 1:46 PM
To: Compost Discussion List
Subject: Re: [USCC] What is Anaerobic Composting

Some of the EM Bokashi Composting and Bocashi Composting 
(sans EM) piles are covered and allowed to ferment under
anaerobic conditions, but these are geared to fermentative
anaerobic not putrefactive anaerobic.  They might 
fit the description of anaerobic compost. 

It results in a good quality organic soil amendment.

This is totally unrelated to anaerobic digestion 
or digestate.  The is also unrelated to EM Bokashi
food scrap buckets. 

In most situations, these methods will be used
by farmers rather than compost facilities.  

Steve Diver
Texas 



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