Engineered Compost Systems

The AC Composter^TM is a Covered Aerated Static Pile (ASP) System. It was specifically designed to provide a cost effective approach for meeting today’s more stringent environmental regulations for controlling odor, VOC and NH3 emissions; and, provide operators with the broad range of process options that are found in all ECS systems.

The AC Composter^TM is appropriate technology for composting virtually any feedstock (yard waste, food waste, source separated organics, biosolids and industrial wastes). It can be used for primary, secondary or curing phases of composting. And will adapt to fit any sized facility.

• Near-zero fugitive odor releases;
• Broad range of aeration rates and process control options;
• Minimized evaporative water losses from biomass;
• Effective barrier to vectors (birds, rats, flies); and,
• Neat, clean and professional looking appearance;

• The AC Cover;
• The CompTroller^TM (aeration control and monitoring system);
• The Negative Only Aeration System;
• The Aeration Floor(s); and,
• Odor and Emission Control

AC Cover

The AC Cover is impermeable. It does not absorb water, become heavy when wet, and the air handling characteristics do not change as the cover becomes soiled. The AC Cover is durable and field-repairable if damaged. The AC Cover can be hand deployed and removed for smaller systems; or used with commercially available cover rollers available from ECS.

The AC Cover is designed for negative-only aeration and includes single direction air inlets. Suction from the negative-only aeration makes the AC Covers cling to the piles, making edge weights necessary only as an added precaution during high-wind events. All AC Covers include provisions for edge weights and pulling rings.

The ECS CompTroller^TM (aeration control and monitoring system)

The AC Composter uses ECS’ proven CompTroller^TM control technology. Compost pile temperature data is collected and stored on the CompTroller. The batches of compost are tracked through the facility from start to finish.

• Read more on the ECS CompTroller^TM
• Download the CompTroller^TM PDF

The ECS Aeration System

ECS aeration systems are designed for a 20+ year service life. All aeration components exposed to the corrosive environment of composting are made of stainless steel or polymeric materials. Aeration to the individual zones is continuous AND automatically controlled per Operator chosen set-points.

The aeration system provides a wide range of air-volumes. At low flow rates drying and cooling are significantly reduced while the cover prevents odors from being released. At high flow rates the material can be fully oxygenated and temperature controlled prior to removing the cover to minimize odor events and improve drying for better screen yields.

ECS Aeration Floor(s)

ECS offers several different types of aeration floors depending on the Clients’ process needs and budget. Typically, ASP aeration floors are broken into two major categories:

• Below grade (in-slab); and,
• Pipe on grade (above grade).

ECS offers two in-slab aeration floor options: Low-Friction and Sparger. Both floor designs are relatively costly and require pipe and/or trench forming below concrete surfaces. Not considering their cost, in-slab floors offer these advantages:

• Most efficient air distribution;
• Collect leachate and condensate;
• Reduced labor requirements; and,
• Compatible with loading and unloading with front end loaders.

Above grade aeration floors cost less, place aeration pipes on top of the working surface, and do not (typically) have infrastructure requirements below grade. ECS offers two pipe on grade options: CompDog (pipe-less aeration); and, HDPE pipe on grade.

The CompDog^TM can dramatically cut the cost of an aeration floor, and save labor costs. The CompDogs^TM are constructed of heavy coated and double walled polyester material. They can be made to any length up to 90 ft long. When inflated a cross section of the CompDog^TM resembles an arch with a broad (self-supporting) base. The CompDog^TM is field repairable and designed for years of service.

The CompDog^TM is teamed with the In-Deflator^TM, a device that inflates and deflates the CompDog^TM, has a spindle for retrieving the Dogs from the piles, and is mounted on a four wheel cart.

Odor and Emission Control

The AC Composter^TM controls odors in several ways. The negative aeration system contains VOC&requo;s and NH3 in the compost piles and virtually eliminates convective surface losses off the pile. That is, when the cover is in place and the aeration system is activated the process (exhaust) air leaving the pile is directed to a biofilter.

When it’s time remove the AC Cover the aeration is increased to lower compost temperatures and raise Oxygen levels; this greatly diminishes the potential for odor releases.

A well designed and maintained biofilter is very efficient at scrubbing emissions from compost process air. If, depending on the feedstocks, a further reduction of NH3 is required, a simple wet scrubber can be added to the aeration system.

Please Note:
The AC Composter^TM & CompDog^TM, their respective components and process carry broad Patents.

The AC Covers and CompDog^TM are only sold as components in an AC Composter^TM system. Exceptions are made for ASP facility upgrades on a case-by-case basis.