Composting diatomic earth

Kurzfassung

A company from southern Poland specialising in the treatment and management of municipal waste designed a composting technology for facilitating used diatomic earth which is created in the beer-brewing process. The technology allows for the production of fertiliser rich in nutrients, recommended for use on highly acidic soil with a low humus content. The company is searching for a business partner from the waste disposal industry who would be interested in signing a ‘know-how’ agreement.

Details

The Polish company which deals with the segregation, storage and composting of organic waste - operating in tandem with a representative of a scientific institution, has designed a technological process for the composting of used diatomic earth achieved as a result of beer production. Diatomic earth is used in the production of beer, wine and fruit juice in the process of filtration. Used diatomic earth is a waste product which generally ends up on the landfill. The storage of diatomic earth bears a negative influence on the natural environment through the excretion of unpleasant odours and through limited use of the landfill. The high moisture content of the post-filtration diatomic earth, which can reach up to 90%, often causes the effect of a quagmire to form on the landfill.
The proposed technology allows for the use of diatomic earth in the process of composing organic material. The essence of the technology lies in the addition of a 30 to 35% of structural material to the total weight of the mass of pre-selected waste material. This is then mixed with 10 to 15% (weight value) of post-filtration diatomic earth. After mixing, when the substance has achieved a uniform character, the material can be composted in specially formed heaps for a duration of around 3-4 months. During this time, it retains its moisture content at approximately 50-60%. The technology on offer here allows for the production of organic fertiliser which possesses very high nutrient values, recommended for use on highly acidic soil with a low humus content.
Application of the proposed technology gives possibility of facilitating processed diatomic earth.

Innovative Aspects:
- environmentally friendly;
- reducing the amount of waste deposits at landfill sites;
- the produced compost may be a commercially viable product – as a safe fertiliser;
- the introduction of this technology lowers costs of waste utilisation;
- the possibility of management of used diatomic earth.