NEW
AERATION SYSTEM LAUNCHED
Mistral Aeration, a new aeration system
that promises speedier composting with less odours has
been trialled with great success in Peterborough.
The fundamental elements to successful
composting are enhanced using the aeration system developed
by composting company, Covered Systems Limited. It also
eliminates some of the problems normally associated
with ground or above ground compost aeration systems,
by using a simple yet innovative design to increase
air circulation, speeding up the composting process
and eliminating odours.
It has now been successfully trialled
at Organic Recycling based in South Lincolnshire. Here
over 25,000 tonnes of waste are being recycled per annum,
producing approximately 7,000 tonnes of composts. The
waste is derived from local food processing companies,
local authorities and landscapers.
Organic Recycling Managing Director
Andrew Riddington is extremely impressed by the results
to date, “We had difficult circumstances because
our feedstock contains materials which have a high water
content and no structure (such as onions) and also which
create significant odour.” His trial proved the
capability of the system with this material, and just
2 weeks after aeration started, the Company opened up
the windrow to see the results for themselves.
“We were all amazed how quickly
the material had degraded and that there were no anaerobic
odours within the compost windrow “ continues
Riddington. Normally during the process significant
odour is produced and escapes during the turning process
causing environmental problems for the operator.
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When used on outside windrow composting
sites the system negates the need to turn the windrows
during maturation, turning is when many of the problems
associated with potentially unpleasant odours arising
from anaerobic parts of the windrow occur.
The new system eliminates these environmental
problems and saves the operator cost of turning the
compost by machine. This can lead to significant savings.
Initial calculations have estimated that savings of
between 66 to 75% can be achieved, including capital
write off, by using Mistral against the need to physically
turn the compost.
By using the reverse aeration function,
the naturally occurring phenomena in the compost pile
is greatly enhanced with Mistral, leading to faster
degradation of the compost and a more homogenous end
product.
Positives of using the Mistral method
include the ability to maintain sufficient oxygen levels
for the microbial populations, the system also facilitates
easy connection to a biofilter if required by the licensing
authorities.
Rusting, damage, leachate production
and blocking are all associated with conventional aeration
systems and all these are problems of the past with
Mistral, as air pipes are placed into the compost mechanically
once the in-vessel tunnel is full or the outside windrow
is completed or as it is being formed.
So pleased is he with the system that
Riddington is looking at expanding it on to other areas
of his operation ‘We are delighted with the simplicity
of the system and results of the aeration trials we
have done. The installation will not only save us time
and money but it will allow us to control the composting
process to improve the timeliness of the operation and
significantly reduce the risk of odours escaping to
the local environment.’ he says.
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