02-27-2019, 11:14 AM
Unfortunately, I share Kalakoa's worldview. My credentials: I wrote the pilot project for the Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, WA Compost Facility. After running it for several years (and making mistakes that will probably happen again at Kipamana)the facility was awarded Composter of the Year by the United States Composting Corporation.
I really believe in composting. My boss didn't want to test it because it was expensive; I did't want to work there anymore because he was selling untested compost and I felt liability pressure. What could possibly go wrong? We composted jet fuel contaminated feedstocks. We composted contaminated human excrement (biosolids) from the treatment plant. Great fuel, both. Unless they have heavy metals. You won't have to worry about fire ants or ROD fungus living through the process if it is done right. It will get to temperatures that will cook living things, all done by microbes (bacteria for the heat, actinomycetes to make it humus-like and maybe fungi when it cools down.
The devil will be in the details: I recommend two bio filters of larger size. Why? The ammonia put through them will compost the wood chips used to filter. If two are in use, you can change one out while you put the other on line. Mechanical augers used to mix will break down a lot. Hydrostatic augers in mixing trucks will allow larger loads (economy of scale) and likewise hydrostatic drives should be used when breaking down tree limbs in the tub grinder to use as wood chips. I could go on all day. I always treated the microbes like THEY were the boss and they ate and procreated themselves to death for me. Others will have "formulas" that are faulty for reasons known only by those with gloves on their hands, and they won't get results.
I really believe in composting. My boss didn't want to test it because it was expensive; I did't want to work there anymore because he was selling untested compost and I felt liability pressure. What could possibly go wrong? We composted jet fuel contaminated feedstocks. We composted contaminated human excrement (biosolids) from the treatment plant. Great fuel, both. Unless they have heavy metals. You won't have to worry about fire ants or ROD fungus living through the process if it is done right. It will get to temperatures that will cook living things, all done by microbes (bacteria for the heat, actinomycetes to make it humus-like and maybe fungi when it cools down.
The devil will be in the details: I recommend two bio filters of larger size. Why? The ammonia put through them will compost the wood chips used to filter. If two are in use, you can change one out while you put the other on line. Mechanical augers used to mix will break down a lot. Hydrostatic augers in mixing trucks will allow larger loads (economy of scale) and likewise hydrostatic drives should be used when breaking down tree limbs in the tub grinder to use as wood chips. I could go on all day. I always treated the microbes like THEY were the boss and they ate and procreated themselves to death for me. Others will have "formulas" that are faulty for reasons known only by those with gloves on their hands, and they won't get results.