Compost Ventilation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of ventilating a compost heap. The method comprises using at least one ventilation pipe and an air moving means, the ventilation pipe comprising a pipe wall defining a conduit for gas and the ventilation pipe having a connection end and a ventilation portion, the ventilation portion having a plurality of aeration holes extending through the pipe wall and the method comprising the steps of: constructing a compost heap comprising compostable materials; inserting the ventilation portion of the at least one ventilation pipe into the compost heap; connecting the connection end of the ventilation pipe to the air moving means; using the air moving means to cause movement of air through the aeration holes; in which the step of inserting the ventilation portion into the compost heap comprises the steps of: coupling the ventilation pipe to a piler apparatus; using the piler apparatus to drive the ventilation pipe into the compost heap; releasing the piler apparatus from the ventilation pipe; and retrieving the piler apparatus from the ventilation pipe.

Description

BACKGROUND[0001]a. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates to a method of ventilating a compost heap, in particular to the ventilation of compost heaps and windrows so as to reduce odour.[0003]b. Related Art[0004]Composting of compostable material is typically performed in heaps. These heaps may be located inside buildings or outside. If the compost heap is located outside, it is typically in the form of an elongate row called a windrow. Compost heaps may be agitated or turned during the composting process to aerate the content to ensure efficient composting. Compostable material is used herein to include biodegradable materials such as household waste and other waste materials.[0005]It is known to have vent channels located on the floor of a building in which a compost heap is to be located. The vent channels in the floor either blow air into the base of the compost heap, or draw air from the base of the heap. This air movement through the base of the heap ventila...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]The ventilation pipes may be inserted into the compost heap as it is constructed, but it is preferred that the ventilation pipes are inserted after construction of the heap as this speeds up the construction of the heap as there is no need to stop construction to arrange the ventilation pipes before the remainder of the heap is constructed.

[0016]By having a ventilation pipe with a ventilation portion within the compost heap the ventilation of the heap is more uniform as air is being moved from with the heap rather than at an outer surface of the heap. Aeration of the heap can be achieved by blowing air into the heap through the ventilation pipe, or by drawing air through the ventilation pipe, thereby causing air to be drawn through the compost heap toward the ventilation portion. The drawing of air into the ventilation pipe can also help to prevent the heap from drying out as moisture is drawn into the heap rather than being blown to the external surfaces from which it can easily evaporate. The drawing of air into the heap also help to control odour as the volatile chemicals are retained within the heap rather than being blown outwards.

[0018]It is preferred that there are a plurality of ventilation pipes having ventilation portions within the compost heap so that the aeration is distributed throughout the compost heap as this helps to avoid ‘hot spots’ or areas of high or low aeration.

[0019]The ventilation pipe is preferably arranged substantially vertically within the compost heap such that the connection end extends above an upper surface of the heap. This facilitates connection of the ventilation pipe to the air moving means and can help to prevent the ventilation pipe from filling with compost material which may occur if material can fall through the aeration holes.

Problems solved by technology

However, such vent channels can be costly to build into the, typically concrete, floor.

However the channels are constructed on the floor they are vulnerable to damage by machinery used to transport the compost material as the compost heap is built over the channels.

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