CRS Drive-through Composting Tunnels
CRS Composting Tunnels provide an enclosed and controlled environment in which organic waste can be rapidly decomposed. The Composting Tunnels allow warm, moist conditions to develop by insulating the waste and protecting it from climatic effects such as excessive rainfall, low temperatures and the drying effects of the sun and wind. Fully enclosing the waste also provides control over the emission of odours. Birds and vermin are prevented from accessing the waste during the intensive phase of composting ensuring the tunnels are suitable for processing waste that may otherwise present a risk to animal health.
The CRS Composting Tunnel is constructed on a prepared concrete base and is composed of two concrete walls, a concrete roof, a removable steel door and two lightweight hinged doors at each end of the tunnel, and steel aeration pipes laid in the floor.
Prior to loading the waste into the tunnels, the steel aeration pipes must be clear of any blockages. Aeration holes can be cleared using a stiff broom, or a high pressure hosepipe.
Waste is loaded into the Composting Tunnel using a front end loader and is stacked evenly until approximately 2.5 m high. The loading process continues until the front of the waste is in line with the opening at the front of the tunnel whilst ensuring that there is a clear space to allow the door to be slotted into position. The lower steel door is lowered into place and the filling of the tunnel is completed by loading over the door. The lightweight hinged doors are then closed and the composting process monitoring begins.
Temperature probes are inserted into the waste through the roof of the tunnel. The temperature is monitored continuously using the CRS Batchtrack system to ensure that the composting waste reaches a temperature of 60°C for 2 days as per the Animal By-Product Regulation (ABPR).
The CRS Air Handling Unit continuously circulates air through the waste via the aeration pipes. This can be recirculated air or fresh air. Stale air removed from the tunnel is treated by the Odour Control Unit to remove any odours before being vented to the atmosphere. Additional moisture can be added if required using an integral oscillating sprinkler system.
On completion of the ABPR barrier of the composting process (i.e. 2 days at 60°C), the temperature probes are extracted, the hinged doors are opened and the steel door is removed and the compost is then removed into another tunnel for continuation of the composting process, or to windrows for maturation.
