View source for In-vessel composting

{{Short description|Composting processed in large vessels}}
'''In-vessel composting''' generally describes a group of methods that confine the [[composting]] materials within a building, container, or vessel.<ref>On-Farm Composting Handbook, Plant and Life Sciences Publishing, Cooperative Extension, Ed. Robert Rynk (June 1992), {{ISBN|978-0-935817-19-5}}</ref>  In-vessel composting systems can consist of metal or plastic tanks or concrete bunkers in which air flow and temperature can be controlled, using the principles of a "[[bioreactor]]". Generally the air circulation is metered in via buried tubes that allow fresh air to be injected under pressure, with the exhaust being extracted through a [[biofilter]], with temperature and moisture conditions monitored using probes in the mass to allow maintenance of optimum [[aerobic decomposition]] conditions.

This technique is generally used for municipal scale [[organic waste]] processing, including final treatment of sewage [[biosolids]], to a stable state with safe pathogen levels, for reclamation as a soil amendment. In-vessel composting can also refer to [[aerated static pile composting]] with the addition of removable covers that enclose the piles, as with the system in extensive use by farmer groups in Thailand, supported by the National Science and Technology Development Agency there.<ref>[http://www.compost.mju.ac.th/eng Aerated Static Pile composting] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080917205226/http://www.compost.mju.ac.th/eng/ |date=2008-09-17 }}</ref> In recent years, smaller scale in-vessel composting has been advanced. These can even use common roll-off waste dumpsters as the vessel. The advantage of using roll-off waste dumpsters is their relatively low cost, wide availability, they are highly mobile, often do not need building permits and can be obtained by renting or buying.

Evaluation is ongoing with regard to the health risks associated with compost derived from sewage biosolids—including identifying safe levels of contaminants such as [[PFASs|PFAS]] ("forever chemicals").<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.epa.gov/biosolids/risk-assessment-pollutants-biosolids |title=Toxic 'Risk Assessment of Pollutants in Biosolids |website=EPA |date=26 February 2020 |access-date=28 March 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=PFAS Strategic Roadmap: EPA's Commitments to Action 2021-2024 |date=14 October 2021 |url=https://www.epa.gov/pfas/pfas-strategic-roadmap-epas-commitments-action-2021-2024 |access-date=2022-03-24 |publisher=EPA}}</ref><ref name="guardian">{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/mar/22/i-dont-know-how-well-survive-the-farmers-facing-ruin-in-americas-forever-chemicals-crisis |title='I don't know how we'll survive': the farmers facing ruin in America's 'forever chemicals' crisis |website=The Guardian |date=22 March 2022 |publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited |access-date=28 March 2022 }}</ref>
 
Offensive [[odor]]s are caused by putrefaction ([[anaerobic decomposition]]) of nitrogenous animal and vegetable matter gassing off as [[ammonia]]. This is controlled with a higher [[carbon to nitrogen ratio]], or increased aeration by ventilation, and use of a coarser grade of carbon material to allow better air circulation. Prevention and capture of any gases naturally occurring ([[volatile organic compounds]]) during the hot aerobic composting involved is the objective of the biofilter, and as the filtering material saturates over time, it can be used in the composting process and replaced with fresh material.

A more advanced systems design is able to limit the odor issues considerably, and it is also able to raise the total energy and resource output by integrating in-vessel composting with [[anaerobic digestion]]. Through anaerobic decomposition it is also possible to reduce pathogen levels similarly to that of traditional aerated composting when the anaerobic bioreactors operate at thermophilic temperatures, between {{convert|41|and|122|C|F}}.§<ref>{{cite journal |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/260994304 |doi=10.1016/j.biombioe.2014.01.053|title=Potential for Pathogen reduction in anaerobic digestion and biogas generation in Sub-Saharan Africa |year=2014 |last1=Avery |first1=Lisa M. |last2=Anchang |first2=Kenneth Yongabi |last3=Tumwesige |first3=Vianney |last4=Strachan |first4=Norval |last5=Goude |first5=Peter J. |journal=Biomass and Bioenergy |volume=70 |pages=112–124 |bibcode=2014BmBe...70..112A }}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery perrow="5">
File:CVRD1loader.5bays.jpg|Biosolids composting facility – receiving and mixing bays and five reactor chambers
File:CVRD2week1bay.jpg|Composting chamber material after one week
File:CVRD3week2.bay.jpg|Composting chamber material after two weeks
File:CVRD4chamber.air.jpg|Air supply and exhaust system for enclosed composting
File:CVRD5biofilter.air.exhaust.jpg|Exhaust biofilter mound
</gallery>

== See also ==
*[[Aerated static pile composting]]
*[[Anaerobic digestion]]
*[[Compost]]
*[[List of solid waste treatment technologies]]
*[[Mechanical biological treatment]]
*[[Waste management]]
*[[Windrow composting]]

==References==
<references/>{{Waste}}{{Environmental technology}}

[[Category:Industrial composting]]
[[Category:Waste treatment technology]]