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Difference between revisions of "Composting"
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Feedstock + process
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| Product = [[Compost]] | | Product = [[Compost]] | ||
|Name=Composting}} | |Name=Composting}} | ||
<onlyinclude>'''Composting''' is a biological process in which micro-organisms convert organic matter such as plant and animal scraps into soil-like material called [[compost]]. | <onlyinclude>'''Composting''' is a biological process in which micro-organisms convert organic matter such as plant and animal scraps into soil-like material called [[compost]]. Compost is easier to handle than manure and other raw organic materials, stores well and is odor-free. Composting is an ancient technology, practiced today at every scale from the backyard compost pile to large commercial operations. </onlyinclude> | ||
== Feedstock == | == Feedstock == | ||
Composts can be made from most organic by-products. Common feedstocks are poultry, hog and cattle manures, food processing wastes, sewage sludge, municipal leaves, brush and grass clippings, sawdust, and other by-products of wood processing. | |||
Ideally, several raw materials should be mixed together to create the "ideal" range of conditions, which are as follows: | |||
{| class="wikitable" | |||
|+ | |||
!Condition | |||
!Ideal | |||
|- | |||
|C:N ratios of combined feedstocks | |||
|25-35:1 | |||
|- | |||
|Moisture content | |||
|45-60 wt.% | |||
|- | |||
|Available oxygen concentration | |||
|>10% or more | |||
|- | |||
|Feedstock particle size | |||
|Variable | |||
|- | |||
|pH | |||
|6.5-8.0 | |||
|- | |||
|temperature | |||
|54-60°C | |||
|} | |||
== Process == | == Process == | ||
Composting occurs through the activity of micro-organisms naturally found in soils. Under natural conditions, earthworms, nematodes and soil insects do most of the initial mechanical breakdown of organic materials into smaller particles. Under controlled conditions, composters break down large particles through grinding or chopping. Once optimal physical conditions are established, soil bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and protozoa colonize the organic material and initiate the composting process. These mesophilic organisms function best at warm temperatures (10-45°C) | |||
== Product == | == Product == | ||