Aerated Static Pile Composting
Aerated Static Pile composting is a method that biodegrades organic material without physical manipulation during primary composting. It works by using perforated piping that provides controlled aeration. It’s an excellent method for converting yard waste into compost without any additional costs or energy use.
ASP Pilot Project
A new ASP Pilot Project has been launched by SCS Engineers, which will provide waste managers with a chance to test out the benefits of ASP composting before making a large-scale investment. Interest in ASP composting is high, driven by the desire to reduce carbon emissions.
ASP systems use perforated pipes on the ground to distribute negative and positive air into the compost. The perforated pipes are covered with wood chips, which help to distribute the air. Aerated static pile composting is an environmentally friendly process that is also space-efficient.
The research team has developed a prototype system called the Quadpod. A full-scale aeration unit constructed from PVC was then built and dry-tested with the manifold and blower at the Compost Plant workshop in Providence, Rhode Island. After the prototype was ready for installation, the project team cleared the site of topsoil and gravel and constructed two concrete bays using two-by-two-foot-square pre-formed concrete blocks.
The ASP Pilot Project is easy to install and can be converted in stages. It also has a solar power option for sites that don’t have access to grid electricity. This is aerated static pile composting a cost-effective solution that’s particularly helpful for sites that change their location regularly.
Although the temperatures of ASP were comparable to those of vermicomposting, there was a significant difference between the two processes. The vermicomposting process produces more ammonia than the ASP process. This is likely due to the fact that more cow dung is used in the vermicomposting piles. The worms’ intestinal ammonia excretion and activity also increase the amount of ammonia in the compost pile. Ammonia emissions are higher during the early weeks of composting, when organic matter is at its highest.
As with thermophilic composting, ASP composting requires a similar ratio of Carbon-to-Nitrogen. To ensure the composting process is successful, the active core must contain a high percentage of carbon to nitrogen.
Costs to convert to ASP system
If you want to convert from traditional turned windrow composting to an ASP system, you must consider the costs involved. ASP systems use solar power to run a 1.5 horsepower blower, connected to perforated rigid piping that forces air into the pile. This airflow is essential to the microbial population, enabling them to digest organic materials and produce compost.
An ASP system can be a low-cost and easy-to-install solution. Basic ASPs can be assembled by someone with little engineering knowledge, and they are suitable for modest throughputs. A basic ASP is designed to use a non-fixed POG aeration floor, which is relatively inexpensive to purchase.
A recent study compared the two composting methods. The researchers compared the production and disposal costs of both static and aerated methods. They found that the ASP method produced higher quality compost compared to vermicomposting. The researchers conducted three replications of the experiment using 100% putrescible wastes and 75% cow dung. The final products of each method were similar in quality and met national standards.
An ASP system requires less space per cubic yard produced compared to a conventional windrow composting system. However, the size of the pile must be large enough to accommodate a tractor. In addition, a tractor should have adequate space on both sides of the windrow to enable turning.
Aerated Static Pile Composting (ASP) is a cost-effective method that can increase the profits of a composting facility. The Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection funded the project, which is also known as forced aeration. The research project was carried out at Blue Star Equiculture, a non-profit organization that provides a place for homeless and retired working horses. It also promotes equine and environmental awareness through educational opportunities.
Vermicomposting produces higher concentrations of ammonia than ASP. This is due to the higher proportion of cow dung used in vermicompost piles and the activity of the earthworms. Vermicomposting produces higher levels of ammonia than ASP, with the highest aerated static pile composting concentrations occurring at the start of the process.
Problems with conversion to ASP system
There are some problems with converting to an ASP system. The primary issue is that the piles have too much aeration. The process involves adding and removing oxygen and heat from the pile. However, too much aeration can reduce biological activity and slow down the process. For this reason, it is important to control the amount of aeration. Some blowers come with controllers. For example, GMT makes a CompDACS controller, which works through a PC interface. Another option is the WebMACS system, which can be managed from a web browser.
One method is based on the ASP concept, which was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Service Experimental Station in Beltsville, Maryland. It uses a bulking agent, which is typically wood chips, to help compost the wastewater sludge. The bulking agent is recovered by screening the compost, but 33% of the bulking agent must be replaced.
Advanced ASP systems are more sophisticated than the basic ASP system and are geared for maximum composting efficiency and environmental control. A well-designed Advanced ASP system can keep the pile’s temperature and oxygen levels constant, minimize air emissions, and optimize composting rates. Advanced ASP designs require extensive knowledge of air handling design, including flow modelling, and automated controls.
Vermicomposting processes produce higher amounts of ammonia than ASP systems do. This may be due to the use of more cow dung in the vermicompost pile and to the worms’ intestinal ammonia excretion. The output of ammonia is highest during the early weeks, when the organic matter content in the pile is at its maximum.
The ASP system incorporates two aeration modes, positive and negative, and uses various methods of airflow. Positive aeration is the most common mode, while negative aeration is more complex. Positive and negative aeration systems reduce the degree of vertical temperature stratification, which is the key to high-efficiency composting.
Environmental benefits of ASP system
Aerated static pile composting (ASP) was first developed in Beltsville, Maryland, in the early 1970s, with the initial aim of composting wastewater sludge. Today, ASP composting is a viable alternative for a number of different applications.
ASP composting can be a cost-effective way to compost large volumes of organic waste. It offers process control and can be used in both enclosed and open windrow composting operations. In addition, aerated static piles provide environmental benefits such as a reduction in water and air emissions.
The temperatures of aerated static pile composting are within the standard ranges for both the US and Canada. The US standards require pile temperatures of 55 degrees Celsius or higher for a period of three days. The aerated static piles are also more stable than vermicompost piles, with temperatures rarely exceeding 60 degrees Celsius.
The process of ASP composting can produce high-quality compost without the harmful effects of pathogens, parasites, weed seeds, and other undesirable byproducts. The process also reduces insect and disease outbreaks, and can also help control unpleasant odours. In addition, it helps maintain the health of the soil, keeping it alive.
While this method is more expensive, the initial investment is much lower than the ongoing operating costs. Both systems should produce high-quality compost, which will offset the investment. However, the cost of using animal manures in this way is considerably higher than that of using the raw material.
