Industrial Composting: Environmental Engineering and Facilities Management

The ultimate in recycling, composting has been in use in some form since ancient times. A well-managed composting facility should exist as a good neighbor contributing to ecology. However, since local populations often perceive risks if a composting facility is built nearby, composting facilities must be designed and operated with minimal odor, dust, and noise emissions. Industrial Composting examines the key operational aspects and problems associated with composting, with strong emphasis on odor mitigation, pathogens, and aerosols.

Designed for composting professionals and supported by extensive quality references, this book covers:

• Facilities Planning and Design
• Odor Management
• Design, Material, Energy, and Water Balances
• Economics of Product Marketing and Sales
• Public Relations, Participation, and Communication Regulations
• Pathogen Concentrations as Related to Feedstocks
• Bioaerosols Associated with Composting and Their Potential Diseases

While many books cover composting, most of those currently available are either out of date or contain only a few chapters on the subject. With interest growing in the use of composting for biosolids, food wastes, and other specialty areas, the need for an up-to-date, focused resource is also increasing. To assist composting practitioners, community decision makers, and advocates, Industrial Composting brings recent advances and best practices in composting together in an accessible, professional volume.

Dr. Eliot Epstein is an internationally known expert in composting of waste material. He specializes in composting and biosolids management, solid waste, land application, and waste disposal. He is a soil physicist-agronomist by training.

Dr. Epstein spent 16 years as Research and Station Leader for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Research Service at the University of Maine in Orono, Maine. In 1972, Dr. Epstein transferred to the USDA Research Center at Beltsville, Maryland, where he was the principal scientist on the project that resulted in the development of the "Beltsville" Forced Aeration Composting System for sewage sludge. Dr. Epstein has directed a variety of waste management projects for both government and industry.