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Difference between revisions of "Composting"
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| Product = [[Compost]] | | Product = [[Compost]] | ||
|Name=Composting|Category=[[Conversion]] ([[Conversion#Biochemical_processes_and_technologies|Biochemical processes and technologies]])}} | |Name=Composting|Category=[[Conversion]] ([[Conversion#Biochemical_processes_and_technologies|Biochemical processes and technologies]])}} | ||
<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> | <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. | ||
'''Bioremediation''' | |||
Bioremediation is different from composting. This techniques are destruction techniques to stimulate the growth of micro-organisms, using the contaminants as a food and energy source. These techniques have been successfully used to remediate soils/sludges & groundwater contaminated by petroleum hydrocarbons, solvents, pesticides, wood preservatives, and other organic chemicals. Oxygen, water & nutrients are added, and the temperature and pH are controlled. The rate microorganisms degrade the contaminants is influenced by: the specific contaminants present, their concentrations, the oxygen supply, moisture, temperature, pH, nutrient supply, bio-augmentation, and co-metabolism. Micro-organisms can be adapted to degrade specific contaminants or enhance the process. | |||
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== Feedstock == | == Feedstock == | ||
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The pre-treatment usually starts with a [[sizing]] activity by [[Sizing#Chipping|chipping]] the feedstock and subsequently the necessary structural material is mixed in. The purpose of the structural material is to prevent the organic material from caking together. The feedstock mixture is also stripped of metals by means of an electromagnet. In preparation for intensive ripening, a homogeneous airy material is obtained. | The pre-treatment usually starts with a [[sizing]] activity by [[Sizing#Chipping|chipping]] the feedstock and subsequently the necessary structural material is mixed in. The purpose of the structural material is to prevent the organic material from caking together. The feedstock mixture is also stripped of metals by means of an electromagnet. In preparation for intensive ripening, a homogeneous airy material is obtained. | ||
== Process == | == Process Composting == | ||
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). As temperatures in the compost pile increase, thermophiles (i.e., micro-organisms that thrive at temperatures above 45°C) take over. In the active "thermophilic" phase, temperatures of 54-65°C are reached which is high enough to kill pathogens and weed seeds and to break down phytotoxic compounds (i.e., organic compounds toxic to plants). After the active composting phase, temperatures gradually decline to around 37°C. The mesophiles recolonize the pile and the compost enters the "curing phase". During curing, organic materials continue to decompose and are converted to biologically stable humic substances (i.e., the mature or finished compost). There is no clear defined time for curing. Common practices in commercial composting operations range from one to four months. | 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). As temperatures in the compost pile increase, thermophiles (i.e., micro-organisms that thrive at temperatures above 45°C) take over. In the active "thermophilic" phase, temperatures of 54-65°C are reached which is high enough to kill pathogens and weed seeds and to break down phytotoxic compounds (i.e., organic compounds toxic to plants). After the active composting phase, temperatures gradually decline to around 37°C. The mesophiles recolonize the pile and the compost enters the "curing phase". During curing, organic materials continue to decompose and are converted to biologically stable humic substances (i.e., the mature or finished compost). There is no clear defined time for curing. Common practices in commercial composting operations range from one to four months. | ||
=== | === In-vessel composting === | ||
In-vessel composting generally describes a group of methods that confine the composting materials within a building, container, or vessel.<ref>{{Cite book|author=Robert Rynk|year=1992|section_title=On-Farm Composting Handbook|editor=Robert Rynk|book_title=Plant and Life Sciences Publishing|publisher=Cooperative Extension|place=June 1992|ISBN=978-0-935817-19-5}}</ref> | |||
=== Open windrow composting === | |||
The process of windrow composting is relatively simple: The feedstock is shredded, mixed and placed into windrows along a non permeable surface. The windrows are turned on a regular basis to improve oxygen content, distribute heat to regulate temperature and to distribute moisture.<ref>{{Cite web|year=2016|title=Open Windrow Composting|e-pub date=13/12/2016|date accessed=09/03/2023|url=https://wrap.org.uk/resources/guide/open-windrow-composting#:~:text=The%20process%20of%20windrow%20composting,temperature%20and%20to%20distribute%20moisture.}}</ref> | |||
== Process Bioremediation == | |||
Bioremediation is '''a process where biological organisms are used to remove or neutralize an environmental pollutant by metabolic process'''. The “biological” organisms include microscopic organisms, such as fungi, algae and bacteria, and the “remediation”—treating the situation. Some examples of bioremediation technologies are '''bioventing, landfarming, bioreactor, composting, bioaugmentation, rhizofiltration, and biostimulation''' | Bioremediation is '''a process where biological organisms are used to remove or neutralize an environmental pollutant by metabolic process'''. The “biological” organisms include microscopic organisms, such as fungi, algae and bacteria, and the “remediation”—treating the situation. Some examples of bioremediation technologies are '''bioventing, landfarming, bioreactor, composting, bioaugmentation, rhizofiltration, and biostimulation.''' | ||
== Product == | == Product == | ||