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Windrow Composting: Difference between revisions
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The shredded material is then placed into piles in long rows known as ‘windrows’, in the open air. The composting process is kick-started by naturally occurring micro-organisms already in the waste. They break down the material, releasing nutrients (and producing heat and some steam) and in doing so they increase the temperature up to around 65<sup>o</sup>C needed to kill pathogens and weed seeds and meet the criteria for the final product quality specification. | The shredded material is then placed into piles in long rows known as ‘windrows’, in the open air. The composting process is kick-started by naturally occurring micro-organisms already in the waste. They break down the material, releasing nutrients (and producing heat and some steam) and in doing so they increase the temperature up to around 65<sup>o</sup>C needed to kill pathogens and weed seeds and meet the criteria for the final product quality specification. | ||
There are three discreet phases in the overall process<ref>[https://www.thecompostshop.co.uk/how-organic-compost-is-made The Compost Shop Website]</ref> which is set out in more detail in [[PAS100]] but which is typically: | There are three discreet phases in the overall process<ref>[https://www.thecompostshop.co.uk/how-organic-compost-is-made The Compost Shop Website]</ref> which is set out in more detail in [[PAS100]] but which is typically: | ||
* '''Sanitation''' - temperature must be held above | * '''Sanitation''' - temperature must be held above 65°C, for at least 7 days, and turned at least twice | ||
* '''Stabilisation''' - temperature maintained above | * '''Stabilisation''' - temperature maintained above 55°C, managed for 10 weeks, and turned at least 6 times | ||
* '''Maturation''' - Post-screening (stage 4 below) the product is generally stored for at least 4 weeks before it can be used | * '''Maturation''' - Post-screening (stage 4 below) the product is generally stored for at least 4 weeks before it can be used | ||
===Stage 3=== | ===Stage 3=== | ||
Each windrow is individually monitored and when the required temperature has been reached and held for the required time at each stages it is then turned to mix the material and ensure an even distribution of the composting process and to introduce sufficient oxygen to ensure the process does not turn anaerobic. The turning of the windrows may occur up to 8 times or more before a stabilised compost is produced. The turning process can be done with simple tractor/shovel type machines, or dedicated turning machines that introduce some additional mechanical breakdown of the material. | Each windrow is individually monitored and when the required temperature has been reached and held for the required time at each stages it is then turned to mix the material and ensure an even distribution of the composting process and to introduce sufficient oxygen to ensure the process does not turn anaerobic. The turning of the windrows may occur up to 8 times or more before a stabilised compost is produced. The turning process can be done with simple tractor/shovel type machines, or dedicated turning machines that introduce some additional mechanical breakdown of the material. | ||