Compost Aeration Floors
The aeration floor is the foundation of the ASP compost system design. It can represent the largest cost center for a new or upgrading facility, and almost all other decisions revolve around its design.
In-slab aeration floor configured for bunker walls. The in-slab floors will collect leachate/condensate.
Inventive minds have come up with an amazing number of variations to channel air through a floor and into, or out of, a compost pile. Designs that have been based on sound engineering calculations and experience have generally worked. However, since all aeration floors are constrained by physics (and Murphy's Law), it is paramount to success that every floor is rigorously designed to meet needs.
Above Grade vs Below Grade
ECS offers several different types of aeration floors depending on the Client's process needs and budget. Typically, ASP aeration floors are broken into two major categories:
- Below Grade (in-slab)
- Above Grade (CompDog and HDPE pipe-on grade)
Below Grade
ECS offers two below grade (in-slab) aeration floor options:
- ECS Standard In-Floor
- Sparger Systems
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; reduce labor requirements; and compatible with loading and unloading with front end loaders.
Below Grade: ECS Standard In-Floor Trench shown here in a Mass Bed configuration. Note aeration fan-group in background.
Above grade aeration floors cost less, place aeration pipes on top of the working surface, and do not (typically) have infrastructure requirements below grade. (Please note: HDPE pipe on grade systems are typically used on very small ASP systems and for use in biofilters).
Above Grade: The CompDog is a pipe-less above grade aeration floor system.
CompDog™ aeration vault after the inflatable form is removed.
Factors to Consider
The characteristics by which compost aeration floors should be evaluated are:
- Uniformity of air distribution
- Capital cost
- Durability
- Operational cost
- Safety and Functionality as a floor drain for Leachate/Condensate
Below is a table that summarizes the characteristics of above and below grade aeration floors. For the best consultation and decision, please contact us or fill out our short questionnaire.
| Floor Type | Capital Cost | Durability | Energy Cost | O&M Cost | Floor Drain | Negative Aeration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below Grade | ||||||
| ECS Standard In-Floor Trench | High | High | Medium | Low | Excellent | Excellent |
| Concrete In-Floor Sparger | High | High | High | Low | Poor | Poor |
| Above Grade | ||||||
| ECS CompDog™ Pipe-less Floor | Low | Medium | Low | Medium | None | Excellent |
| Above-Grade Perforated Pipe (Short) | Low | Low | Medium | High | None | OK |
Resources
-
"My relationship with ECS hasn’t deviated from anything but exceptional. I started researching composting technologies in 2002 and ultimately found that ECS was the ticket to helping my operation become a success. Tim O., Steve D., Chris H., and Jeff G. have provided excellent assistance from my beginning stages of planning in 2005 through start up in 2008 and haven’t stopped with the support to date. Like many operations, I’ve had my ups and downs, having these guys available to help identify and resolve issues has been great. When there is opportunity available with the newest technology, ECS is at the top of the game. Staying ahead of the curve and providing options has been appreciated. I will continue to trust my investment with ECS."Jason Lenz