Composting and Biogas Compatibility Issues

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by Will Brinton

Can organic waste help in the energy picture and result in a decent soil amendment product? An emerging view of organic waste recycling bridges the gap between aerobic, oxidative composting and anaerobic, reductive (energy-capturing) digestion. The articel is startling as it flips the compost discussion upside down.

The new perspective has been demonstrated in a variety of new facilities combining biogas capture and composting in dual facilities, where composting plays now a secondary role as post treatment stabilization after biogas energy capture. The approach has been modeled in Woods End’s lab and field tested at green waste recovery facilities in California, potato processors in Canada and aquaculture facilities in Maine. This research paper presents an overview of the microbiological union of two opposite biological technologies, with emphasis on what is considered a negative aspect of composting – large amounts of VFA released as odor, or phytotoxic molarities- whereas they could be utilized as energy.