Transcript Teitl y cyflwyniad yma / Presentation title here

Trial of catering waste
composters.
Biolan 550 and 220 closed
vessel compost bins.
550 litre capacity (120cm x 88cm x 74cm).
Integrated thermometer.
2 year manufacture guarantee
Cost - £737 plus vat
220 litre capacity (120cm x 75cm x 75cm).
Integrated thermometer.
2 year manufacture guarantee.
Cost - £615 plus vat
Erddig Hall(2no.), Chirk Castle(2no.), Powis Castle(1no.), Llanerchaeron(1no.).
Medium price range closed vessel composters.
Treats all catering wastes (including cooked meat
products). Fully compliant with Animal bye-law
exemptions.
Insulated composting vessel allows all year round
operations.
Mixture 50/50 - catering waste/woodchip
Ideally purchase 2no. – Allows one to mature
whilst filling the other.
Compost transferred via lower access point to
site composting pile where aerobic composting
process is completed.
Feedback.
“These stopped working over the winter as the
temperature dropped. I did consolidate some, to
completely fill one, to try to mix it a bit and aerate
the compost but things have only just started to pick
up temperature wise.
I need to find time to sort through the oldest bin full
and move stuff to the garden compost heaps to
continue aerobic digestion.
There is quite a lot of poor material goes in them.
Thick potato skins, (peeled with a knife not a peeler)
Onion skins, lemons. Teaspoons.”
– Glyn Smith (Head Gardener, Erddig)
- Although sold as all-year round systems, extreme temperatures obviously
affect the composting process. In order to ensure compliance with Animal byelaw regulations the contents must reach temperature in excess of 65 degrees
celsius to ensure pathogens are destroyed. Colder temperatures mean that this
process takes longer.
Another reason to have 2 bins = one can be left closed in order to retain heat
from the composting process.
-Initial “teething troubles” with the locking hinge mechanism.
Plastic hinge mechanism locks the lid open for ease of access. Unless staff are
aware of the need to press the release mechanism on the hinge the act of
forcing the lid breaks the hinge mechanism.
Bioclere technologies - http://www.bioclere.co.uk/composting-composters.php
Were extremely quick and efficient in sending out replacement mechanisms at
no cost.
“Only issue at the moment is the odour coming off the Biolan composter. It is
working fantastically and hitting 55-60 degrees C but producing the smell you
would expect from the composter. Several staff members that pass by the
recycling compound have expressed a dislike of the smell. Otherwise it is no
problem to the public.” – Adrian Lovatt (Head Gardener, Powis Castle)
- As with any “new” system, the cultural and training elements affect success or
failure. The need to take “ownership” of the composter means that lapses in
ensuring the 50/50 mixture of catering waste and woodchip leads to odour
problems. Obvious issues if liquids are added (soups and sauces).
Jura JK270 composter
The JK125/270 is divided into two
compartments. One is being filled
while the compost in the other
matures. Once the compartment being
filled can take no more, the mature
compost is emptied from the other
compartment, and the cycle begins
again.
It will take somewhere in the region of 6 to 8 weeks for each chamber from
starting to fill to production of compost - so once both chambers are in
operation you should be emptying one chamber every 3-4 weeks or so.
Woodchip must be added to provide a source of carbon for micro-organisms (as
with the Biolan composter).
Website - http://www.smartsoil.co.uk/composter270.htm
Dimensions -950 x 836 x 836 mm (38 " x 33" x 33") overall with stand
Capacity -30 litres or 15 kg per week
JK 270 costs £349 plus £40 delivery - total £389
At Llanerchaeron, the JK270 is being used solely
to provide high quality compost for the walled
garden.
No catering waste is being composted, instead
Paul Boland, Property manager confirms that the
composters “tombola” action ensures high quality
The insulated closed vessel
composter ensures that the
production of quality
compost does not slow too
much even during the
recent Winter months –
taking 8 weeks for full
composting action to take
place.
Aerobin 400 Hot composting
vessel.
Dimensions –
740mm x 740 mm x 1200 mm
Capacity 400 litres/400 kg
3 years manufacturers guarantee
Cost - £239 plus vat
www.Aerobin400.com
Has a static aeration lung which allows passive ventilation
throughout the whole composting mass.
Leachate collects at the bottom. This can be used as liquid
fertiliser.
Currently being trialled at Plas Newydd and Powis
Castle catering outlets.
Feedback –
Does need a combined approach with catering staff
and gardens team working together to ensure the
composting material is not too moist (Again, bulked up
with equal amounts”Brown material”).
Not as robust as the Biolan composters, and
obviously cannot take meat products. This is reflected
in the overall price of the composter.
There have been odour problems due to the extreme
cold periods and too much liquid entering the
composter. This is now sorted out.
Gardens team liked the liquid fertiliser collection at the
bottom of the composter. This is being used in the
glasshouses at Plas Newydd.
A500 – A1200 “Rocket Closed
Vessel Composter.
Cost – Up to £15,000
The largest and most complex of the closed vessel composters. Incorporates an
electrically heated jacket to ensure temperatures rise above 60 degrees celsius.
Integrated timed auger system which moves the composting material along the
composter. Can provide data logging of the temperatures reached at the various
stages of the composting process
Suitable for larger scale composting activities, and is suitable for all catering
wastes including cooked meat products.
Feedback –
Must be sited undercover.
Requires a 240 volt power supply. Associated running costs which rise
depending on the size of the composter from £.50 per week to £1.20 per
week.
Quite an involved composting process as large stores of woodchip required.
“Fiddle factor” in order to get the correct consistency of compost.
Currently in operation at Craflwyn Hall –
Some issues with “Too wet” compost coming out of the machine due to
internal filters becoming blocked. These are not easily accessible for ongoing
preventative maintenance.
During extreme cold period the fuses on the control panel have consistently
blown. Also several panels fail over time.
Summary
• All of the above composter vessels suffer from extremes in cold. The
composting process invariably slows over Winter periods.
• The type of composter you choose is dependant on the scale of operation,
space restrictions, financial constraints.
• Jura – Produces high quality compost, but not in large quantities. Ease of
operation, with the two access doors allowing one to be left to mature whilt
the other compartment is filled.
• Rocket – Expensive to purchase. Requires appropriate infrastructure and
is quite labour intensive. Associated ongoing electrical running costs.
• Aerobin – Cost effective solution for hot box composting at small to
medium sized properties. Not suitable for Cooked meats.
• Biolan – This has been the most successful composter. Suitable for
cooked meat products (meeting Animal bye-law regulations). Well priced,
offering a robust and well insulated closed vessel composter.
NB: All of the composter vessels require “buy in” from staff in order to ensure
quality compost production.