Fundamentals and Application of Windrow Composting
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 116, Issue 4
Abstract
The conventional windrow and aerated windrow processes are viable sludge‐disposal options that produce marketable end products. Both methods entail constructing long parallel rows containing a mixture of sludge cake and amendment and turning the rows frequently with mobile equipment. The conventional process relies on natural ventilation whereas the aerated method uses forced mechanical aeration in addition to natural ventilation. Major drawbacks of the conventional process include excess odor generation and susceptibility to upset from adverse weather. Odor control is a major advantage of aerated windrow composting; these systems, however, are more capital intensive than the simpler conventional systems. The Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, California, operate a state‐of‐the‐art conventional windrow facility at the Joint Water Pollution Control Plant in Carson, California. The operation uses two composting steps and two different composting machines. Quality‐control monitoring has shown that the two‐step method provides excellent disinfection and produces a dry product during most of the year. Rainy weather and cool air temperature reduce the drying rate, resulting in the production of a wetter compost during the winter.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Caballero, R. C. (1985). “Experience at a windrow composting facility.” Composting of municipal wastewater sludges (EPA/62514‐84/014). Office of Res. and Dev., Cincinnati, Ohio.
2.
“EPA proposed rules for the submission, review approval, and oversight of state management programs for municipal sewage plant sludge.” (1986). 51 FR.4458, Envir. Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
3.
Haug, R. T. (1980). Compost engineering. Ann Arbor Sci. Publishers, Inc., Ann Arbor, Mich.
4.
Hay, J. C. (1984). “Windrow composting study, windrow size‐mixing experiment.” Monthly Report for JWPCP Research, Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, Los Angeles, Calif., Nov.
5.
Hay, J. C., and Caballero, R. C. (1987). “Windrow composting: Principles and application.” Proc. 1987 Specialty Conf. on Envir. Engrg., ASCE, 543—550.
6.
Hay, J. C., et al. (1984). “Disinfection of sewage sludge by windrow composting.” Disinfection of wastewater effluents and sludges—state of the art and research needs (Proc. Workshop on Disinfection), National Science Foundation, May, 91–123.
7.
Hay, J. C., et al. (1985a). “Sewage sludge disinfection by windrows composting.” Proc. Disinfection Preconf. Workshop of 1985 Annual Conf., Water Pollution Control Federation, Kansas City, Mo., Oct., Series IV.
8.
Hay, J. C., et al. (1985b). “Two step composting in Los Angeles County. Part II.” Biocycle, 26(8), 38–44.
9.
Hay, J. C., et al. (1985c). “Windrow composting in Los Angeles County. Part I.” Biocycle, 26(7), 24–27.
10.
Iacoboni, M. D., et al. (1983). “Windrow and static pile composting of municipal sludges.” Report for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, Calif.
11.
Kuchenrither, R. D. (1986). “Design and implementation considerations for composting systems.” Proc. Nat. Conf. on Municipal Treatment Plant Sludge Mgmt., Hazardous Materials Research and Control Institute, Orlando, Fla.
12.
“Process design manual for sludge treatment and disposal.” (1979). EPA 625/1‐79‐011, Envir. Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., 12‐1‐12–57.
13.
“Use and disposal of wastewater sludge.” (1984). EPA 624/10‐84‐003, Envir. Protection Agency, Washington, D.C.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
Copyright © 1990 ASCE.
History
Published online: Jul 1, 1990
Published in print: Jul 1990
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.