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Aerobic Bioreactor |
The Problem: Many areas of the world have
grown accustomed to a supply and demand matrix where
clean water and other resources essential for life are
available and commonplace. Unfortunately, human progress
has taken its toll on the environment and we must find a
means of solving our monumental waste problems.
Selective Inc. - in partnership with
Environmental Products and Technologies Corp. (EPTC),
www.eptcorp.com has committed vast amounts of human and
capital resources toward the research, development and
design of a cost-effective solution to the waste
problems associated with the world's organic waste
production.
Indeed It Works: Waste is first
collected as close to point-source as possible and then
routed to a machine whose sole purpose is to pre-prep
the waste stream (i.e. separator, grinder, chopper,
etc.) so that a consistent material is generated (a
minimum of 65% to 67% moisture content), prior to being
fed into the Aerobic Bioreactor.
Once loaded,
the material undergoes a compost maturation process,
while it tumbles in the Aerobic Bioreactor drum. The
rotation sequence of the drum is totally automated and
handled by the on-board electronics, which can be
checked or changed via a remote communications link.
Very little man power is needed to operate the system.
While the compost process inside the drum is the
same as in other methods, the computer-controlled
environment provided by the Aerobic Bioreactor
accelerates the production and increases the overall
quality and controlled consistency of the byproduct.
Turning the load once every 8 minutes, while injecting
pure oxygen to drive the aerobic digestion process.
The Aerobic Bioreactor utilizes a combination of
both computer-based process controls and sensory
technology, to control and acquire data. The system
provides a cost-effective, efficient way for both remote
control and monitoring the Aerobic Bioreactor. The gases
produced (primarily carbon-dioxide) are scrubbed and
treated for odor prior to their release.
Completed amendment is emptied at the opposite
end of the drum into an auger, which deposits it far
enough away from the Bioreactor to allow pick-up by a
front-end loader. While a slight, ammonia odor is
present at the time of output, this odor quickly
dissipates after 48 hours of finishing on a concrete
slab, leaving a warm musty or earthy odor typical of
traditional, commercially prepared composts.
The
finished product may be used as a nutrient-rich soil or
bedding amendment wherever needed and has been shown to
have a near-term positive effect relative to growth,
color and vitality on plants to which it has been
applied. An on-site Aerobic Bioreactor is insulated to
help retain a high proportion of the heat produced. Its
relatively small footprint makes it practical even for
smaller agricultural operations requiring judicious and
productive use of all available land.
Results
That Speak For Themselves: Analysis of the amendment
showed significant amounts of nutrients and micro
nutrients that are essential to crops. No harmful or
hazardous products were produced during the compost
process. The condensate produced during the process
contained nothing hazardous to crops.
Not
surprisingly, no pathogens were found in the compost
because the contents of the well-insulated Aerobic
Bioreactor were maintained at 155 degrees. Windrow or
stack composting, which also results in a significant
amount of dust, often have cold spots that decelerate
decomposition. In contrast, the Aerobic Bioreactor, with
its contained process, is highly effective in killing
all known pathogens in a short amount of time.
Reclaimed Compost: The color of the finished
product is dark brown, and is comparable to compost
matured with processes that require significantly more
time. Finished compost has a warm, earthy smell, similar
to other commercially-available mature composts. As a
soil amendment or soil conditioner, reclaimed compost
has the ability to replace part of the billions of tons
of top soil lost yearly to erosion and to reinvigorate
weak soils with vital nutrients for crop production.
Additional innovative uses of compost include
its use as an agent in bioremediation and pollution
prevention, disease control for plants and animals,
reforestation, wetlands restoration, habitat
revitalization, erosion control, turf remediation and
landscaping. Additionally, on-site treatment of
agricultural waste obviates the danger of spillage over
transport routes, a highly problematic source of
secondary pollution.
And, while one small farm
may not consider it cost-effective to treat its own
waste, the system's scalability and portability easily
lends itself to a cooperative approach, whereby mobile
units could be used on-site at various locations to
treat waste accumulation periodically.
Conclusion: Selective Inc. is in position to
assist ranchers and farmers around the world in applying
new and cost effective means of technology that will
convert current and future problems, into
expense/overhead saving measures and benefits, with a
potential of generating revenue.
If we are to
thrive in the 21st century, we must establish
cost-effective solutions to our waste problems, rather
than relocations and postponements. By eliminating the
major pollution problems resulting from the operation of
agriculture activities, the EPTC Aerobic Bioreactor is a
major piece in the puzzle we call sustainable
development.
Selective Inc. markets, and
installs the Aerobic Bioreactor, a patented, in-vessel
aerobic system that digests manure, food, paper and
green waste matter into a finished soil amendment. The
Bioreactor is unique and unparalleled in its ability to
compost almost any plant or other organic based, solid
waste stream within a 72-hour cycle – a feat that takes
“Mother Nature” 9 to 12 months to accomplish.
The EPTC Bioreactor employs an “aerobic”
process, using live microbes and pure oxygen for the
digestion process. No hazardous chemicals are used. Our
plug and play system will easily and affordably enable
the operator to address their waste stream and all
current state and federal regulations on-site.
The Bioreactor is a horizontal tank, available
in three sizes:
- 4’ diameter x 15’ length
- 6’ diameter x 18’ length
- 8’ diameter x 24’ length
The Bioreactors
can handle an in-process capacity from 2.5 yards to 24
yards of solids per day. The entire system can be easily
expanded with multiple tanks to process whatever size
the total waste stream is. At a mean temperature of 155
degrees, pasteurization is achieved, thereby, killing
pathogens, unwanted worm larvae, eggs and weed seeds.
Computer software maintains, monitors and
controls tank rotation, oxygen input, moisture content
and zone temperatures throughout the process. A compost
tea by-product, is a super, nutrient rich liquid, “distilled” in the process and is also free of pathogens
and odors.
Aerobic Bioreactor Feature Summary:
- Eliminates waste storage
- Eliminates off site removal expense
- Eliminates leachate problems-contaminated ground
water
- Odors controlled and eliminated early in the
process
- 33-percent reduction of solids mass
- Stable bedding-soil amendment (compost) can be
safely stored
- Limited exhaust gases are converted to carbon
dioxide through a bio-filter
- Establish a new standard of environmental
management
- Eliminates need to store toxic manure mounds
A desirable, consistent, usable soil amendment
that:
- Is stable - Has an earthy, pleasant aroma
- Is rich in nutrients and organic matter
- Is free of weed seeds and insect pest
- Has optimum C/N ratio, moisture and oxygen content
- Is pasteurized and homogenized
- Is loose and aerated for reduced compaction - Is a
very consistent end-product
- Can be amended and custom-blended to customer
specifications
Selective Inc. and EPTC are
dedicated to meet our global waste management needs in a
timely and economical manner. We have the only Closed
Loop-Organic Management System in the world that
addresses all federal USDA/EPA regulations.
Selective Inc. systems create a win-win-win
situation:
- THE RANCHER-FARMER WINS
- THE GOVERNMENT WINS
- THE ENVIRONMENT WINS
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