11/25: What is an In-vessel composting system?
Category: In-Vessel Systems
The USEPA 40 CFR Part 503 developed time and temperature protocols for killing pathogens and controlling vectors by composting biosolids in windrows, ASP and in-vessel systems. The methods were developed in Beltsville MD and are often referred to as the Beltsville methods or Beltsville protocol.
ECS has always understood that following the spirit of these regulations required ASP piles to be insulated with “blankets” of clean compost or wood waste; and that in-vessel systems would have insulated walls and ceiling. That is why we call our AC Composter a covered ASP system (instead of an in-vessel system); and why we offer true in-vessel systems (CV Composter™ and SV Composter™) with insulated walls, ceiling and doors. See images below...
ECS AC Composter™ and CompDog™ - Tenino, WA
Covered Aerated Static Pile (ASP)
Not considered an in-vessel system
ECS CV Composter™ - Okotoks, AB WWTP
Containerized in-vessel system, insulated modular vessels
ECS SV Composter™ - Granby, CO WWTP
Stationary in-vessel system
Insulated above grade “tunnels” made to almost any size
Recently the Washington State Department of Ecology has made a similar distinction…
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) wishes to explain how such (covered ASP) systems are viewed in Washington. (The information below applies only to biosolids composting in Washington. Biosolids composters outside of Washington should contact their biosolids regulatory officials with any questions.)
Under the Washington State biosolids regulatory program, biosolids composting operations using a fabric-like cover system are not considered to be in-vessel systems. Such operations must be managed either as aerated static pile systems or as windrow systems.
Currently in Washington if a biosolids composter uses a fabric-like cover in an aerated static pile system, Ecology requires the addition of an approximately 12-inch blanket of finished compost or similar type of material to be placed atop the pile as insulation in order to provide assurance that all particles meet the time and temperature requirements.
You can find the entire article by clicking here.
Steve Diddy
email me
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ECS has always understood that following the spirit of these regulations required ASP piles to be insulated with “blankets” of clean compost or wood waste; and that in-vessel systems would have insulated walls and ceiling. That is why we call our AC Composter a covered ASP system (instead of an in-vessel system); and why we offer true in-vessel systems (CV Composter™ and SV Composter™) with insulated walls, ceiling and doors. See images below...
ECS AC Composter™ and CompDog™ - Tenino, WA Covered Aerated Static Pile (ASP)
Not considered an in-vessel system
ECS CV Composter™ - Okotoks, AB WWTP Containerized in-vessel system, insulated modular vessels
ECS SV Composter™ - Granby, CO WWTP Stationary in-vessel system
Insulated above grade “tunnels” made to almost any size
Recently the Washington State Department of Ecology has made a similar distinction…
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) wishes to explain how such (covered ASP) systems are viewed in Washington. (The information below applies only to biosolids composting in Washington. Biosolids composters outside of Washington should contact their biosolids regulatory officials with any questions.)
Under the Washington State biosolids regulatory program, biosolids composting operations using a fabric-like cover system are not considered to be in-vessel systems. Such operations must be managed either as aerated static pile systems or as windrow systems.
Currently in Washington if a biosolids composter uses a fabric-like cover in an aerated static pile system, Ecology requires the addition of an approximately 12-inch blanket of finished compost or similar type of material to be placed atop the pile as insulation in order to provide assurance that all particles meet the time and temperature requirements.
You can find the entire article by clicking here.
Steve Diddy
email me
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