Air and thus oxygen can aerate composting organics only in layers up to about 60 cm. This passive aeration is generated by heat convection and oxygen diffusion. Therefore, such passive aeration is not suitable for large compost piles. This is why the Gianyar Waste Project has chosen an active forced aeration process, where air is forced into the composting material with help of blowers.
Traditionally composting is done in windrows, which is a discontinuous batch process. Because compost piles must be turned about weekly to be watered and mixed, windrows require a lot of space. To protect windrows from heavy rain in Indonesia, they are often covered with a roof or semi-permeable covers, both are expensive. The Gianyar Waste Project is investing time and funds to develop more efficient semi-continuous processes.
Since 2004, many years of research have gone into understanding large scale composting under tropical conditions with tropical raw material. About 100 research batches on various methods were made. Understanding the process has led to specific process features that vary from the common Western approaches.
Improved composting technology
- Optimal pile size and shape to increase capacity
- Reduction of processing time to increase capacity
- Assuring a high compost quality
- Material handling
- Workers safety
- Creating economies of scale
- Cost-effective system for forced aeration
Alternative organic waste decomposition methods
- Biogas
- Silage
- Vermiculture
- Larvae protein (Black Soldier Fly)
Tailor-made composts
- Specialty composts
- Special application formulations
- Containing microbial agents to fight plant diseases
The research and analytical laboratory uses a wide range of equipment to monitor the composting process and to analyze quality relevant parameters.