Industrial Composting: Environmental Engineering and Facilities Management

338 Pages·2011·6.905 MB·English

by  Eliot Epstein

INDUSTRIAL

COMPOSTING

Environmental Engineering

and Facilities Management

Eliot Epstein
INDUSTRIAL
COMPOSTING
Environmental Engineering
and Facilities Management

INDUSTRIAL
COMPOSTING
Environmental Engineering
and Facilities Management
Eliot Epstein
Boca Raton London New York
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To my late brother, Elan Epstein
1932–2007
© 2011 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC

Contents
Preface......................................................................................................................xv
Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................xix
The Author ..............................................................................................................xxi
Chapter 1 A Prospective .......................................................................................1
Introduction ..........................................................................................1
History ..................................................................................................2
Advantages and Disadvantages of Composting ...................................9
The Technology of Composting .........................................................10
Potentially Associated Risks with Composting or Compost Use ......10
Conclusion ..........................................................................................13
References ..........................................................................................14
Chapter 2 Basic Concepts of Composting ..........................................................15
Introduction ........................................................................................15
Temperature ........................................................................................15
Carbon and Nitrogen (C:N) ................................................................17
Carbon ...........................................................................................17
Nitrogen .........................................................................................18
Moisture .............................................................................................19
Oxygen and Aeration ..........................................................................20
Microorganisms in Composting .........................................................21
Stability, Maturity, and Phytotoxicity ................................................21
Conclusion ..........................................................................................23
References ..........................................................................................24
Chapter 3 The Composting Process ....................................................................25
Introduction ........................................................................................25
Feedstocks .....................................................................................25
Bulking Agent or Amendments .....................................................26
Final Product Distribution and Marketing ....................................28
The Composting Process ....................................................................28
Preprocessing .................................................................................28
Feedstock Delivery and Handling ............................................28
Feedstock Preparation ..............................................................30
Composting ....................................................................................32
Composting Phase or Active Composting ................................32
Curing Phase .............................................................................36
vii
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viii Contents
Postprocessing ...............................................................................38
Refining ....................................................................................38
Product Preparation ..................................................................38
Conclusion ..........................................................................................38
References ..........................................................................................39
Chapter 4 Design and Material, Energy, and Water Balances ............................41
Introduction ........................................................................................41
Approaches to Design ........................................................................42
Technical Memoranda ...................................................................43
Workshops .....................................................................................47
Design Basis Report ......................................................................48
Material, Energy, and Water Balances ...............................................50
Material Balance ...........................................................................50
Energy Balance ..............................................................................55
Water Balance ................................................................................57
Conclusion ..........................................................................................60
References ..........................................................................................60
Chapter 5 Facilities Planning ..............................................................................61
Introduction ........................................................................................61
Facility Ownership and Management ................................................62
Community Involvement ....................................................................62
Permit and Ancillary Requirements ..................................................65
Regulations .........................................................................................66
Site Selection ......................................................................................72
Neighbors .......................................................................................73
Availability of Feedstocks and Product Marketing Including
Transportation Routes ...................................................................73
Availability of Utilities Such as Sewerage, Water, and Power ......74
Site Existing Conditions .....................................................................74
Site Layout .....................................................................................74
Traffic ............................................................................................74
Water Management and Resources ...............................................75
Geotechnical ..................................................................................75
Utilities ..........................................................................................76
System and Technology Selection ......................................................76
Conclusion ..........................................................................................77
References ..........................................................................................77
Chapter 6 Composting Technologies and Systems .............................................79
Introduction ........................................................................................79
Generic Classification of Composting Technologies .........................81
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Contents ix
Static Systems ................................................................................83
Passively Aerated Windrows ....................................................83
Forced Aeration ........................................................................83
Bin/Container/Bag/Tunnel .......................................................92
Silos and Vertical Reactors .......................................................93
Turned or Agitated Systems ..........................................................94
Windrow ...................................................................................94
Agitated Bed .............................................................................97
Drum .......................................................................................101
Criteria for System Selection ............................................................102
Conclusion ........................................................................................102
References ........................................................................................103
Chapter 7 Facility Design .................................................................................105
Introduction ......................................................................................105
Process Flow Determination ............................................................106
Site Design and Improvements .........................................................113
Traffic Flow and Location of Roads ............................................114
Site Improvements .......................................................................114
Structures .....................................................................................114
Equipment ........................................................................................115
Front-End Loaders (FELs)...........................................................115
Windrow Turning Equipment ......................................................116
Proprietary Equipment ................................................................116
Basic Design Information .................................................................118
Aeration Systems .........................................................................118
Aeration Requirements ................................................................120
Conclusion ........................................................................................124
References ........................................................................................126
Chapter 8 Economics ........................................................................................127
Introduction ......................................................................................127
Economics ........................................................................................127
Avoided Costs ..............................................................................128
Steps Needed to Arrive at the Cost of a Facility .........................129
Preliminary Costs ........................................................................131
Compost Facility Capital Costs ...................................................131
Operational and Maintenance Costs (O&M) ..............................132
Labor .......................................................................................132
Other O&M Expenses ............................................................133
Cost Comparison between Technologies and Systems ................135
Economics of Product Marketing and Sales ....................................135
Conclusion ........................................................................................139
References ........................................................................................139
© 2011 by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC