Composting Septic Sludge

Composting Septic Sludge Tests Prove Successful

Composting septic sludge in 5 days AND making compost that is pathogen free is possible with the BioReactor by XACT Systems Inc.   In this testing project, the septic sludge is combined with other materials in order to make a balanced recipe of organics with a C:N ratio in the ideal range (20:1 to 30:1).  This is the vital first step in composting solid organic waste quickly and making compost that is pathogen free.  The second step is to compost this proper mixture in the BioReactor which is an in vessel rotating drum composter.  The composter rotates slowly and constantly.  The rotation tumbles the waste material inside the drum and exposes all of the material to the ambient oxygen.  The aerobic bacteria which naturally reside in the organic waste will decompose it.  The fact that all the bacteria are getting all the oxygen they need to do a great job of breaking down the material means that the waste will compost quickly and with little or no odor.  The innovative features of this 5′ diameter x 10′ long BioReactor allow the temperatures of the composting process to hit temperatures of 145 degrees Fahrenheit  to 170 degrees Fahrenheit and maintain it there.  Once these high temperatures are achieved, the septic sludge is exposed to this heat for 72 hours (as per the protocol stated by the EPA standard for pathogen kill in a composting process). After 5 days, the compost is discharged and it looks and smells like dirt.  It will make an excellent soil amendment and be a valuable revenue stream for this composting operation.