So, you want to compost organic waste in an in-vessel rotating drum composter. Great! While you are checking around for a vessel to purchase, there are 2 things you need to keep in mind in order to calculate the real capacity of any composting vessel:
1. Where is the waste being input in the vessel? Typically, conventional composting vessels must have the infeed in the center of one end of the vessel and you can only fill the vessel to this level. Logic will tell you that the vessel can only be filled to 50% of the total capacity.
The XACT Vessel is different because the infeed is in the top left quadrant of the end vessel and this is accomplished because the
Infeed is located at the top left of the end of the vessel.
end of the vessel itself does not turn as do conventional composting vessels. This means the vessel can be filled to 70% capacity. That is 20% more!
2. The formula to calculate the capacity of any vessel is:
pi x L x r x r
pi= 3.141
L= length of the vessel
r = radius (the measurement from the centre of the vessel to the side; take the diameter and divide by 2)
So let’s try an example using a vessel that is 8′ diameter x 40′ long and we want our answer to be in cubic yards:
3.141 x 40′ x 4′ x 4′ = 2010.24 cubic feet.
Take the measurements of the vessel
2010.24 cubic feet divided by 27 = 74.45 cubic yards
Now, take in to account whether the vessel is capable of being filled to 50% its capacity or 70%.
50% of 74.45 cubic yards = 37.22 cubic yards
70% of 74.45 cubic yards = 52.11 cubic yards.
The XACT 8′ x 40′ composting vessel will hold a 14.89 (52.11 – 37.22) more cubic yards than a conventional 8′ x 40′ composting vessel.
So, now you know! Please get in touch with us to help you get your project under way. Many thanks. Doreen
This in-vessel rotating drum composter is composting food waste, and interestingly enough, the amendment being used in horse manure. The operators of this facility know that in order to get good quality compost out, they need to put the right blend of feedstocks in. The constraints of the blend consists of: 1) a proper percentage of moisture and 2) the correct proportion of Carbon to Nitrogen. Because the food waste stream on its own did not meet these constraints, there would need to be an amendment added to the food waste. The horse manure was available and also needed to be disposed of, so this composting facility determined the right blend of these 2 waste streams, and are now indeed, producing very good compost. No less than a triple win!
In-Vessel Rotating Drum BioReactor
Food waste composting with XACT’s BioReactor is under control. Using negative ventilation, clean air is drawn into the vessel, and the exhausted air is captured in the duct work located at the discharge end of the BioReactor. The air is directed to a biofilter for filtration before being released to the atmosphere.
XACT BioReactor Controls Air Exhaust
Food waste composting in Alaska with the invessel BioReactor from XACT has proven successful–just as expected. The 10′ x 32′ BioReactor to processes 10 yards of organic waste per day. Striking the right balance of feedstocks, the rotation of the BioReactor, and control of the ventilation has resulted in good quality compost production. Need more details? Please give us a call….800-920-0630 or 613-394-1922. Many thanks.