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The compost people™ FEEDSTOCKS | ACCEPTANCE PROCEDURES | TRANSPORTATION | LOCATIONS
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The McGill compost
manufacturing process McGill builds and operates indoor facilities to allow operation 365 days a year regardless of outdoor temperatures or weather conditions. This not only provides greater control over the process and quality of the end product, but has also proved to be a competitive advantage. Facilities are designed with three main areas: blending, processing, and curing. The blending area includes storage for wet and dry feedstocks, plus amendments and bulking agents. Channeled concrete floors in the processing area facilitate forced aeration, and the curing area is where immature compost is fully stabilized and processed for distribution. Process overview. The McGill method is based on a scientific enhancement of the natural composting process that creates and maintains an environment conducive to the proliferation of specific microbial populations. These microbes are responsible for biodegradation and, when provided with the right balance of moisture, temperature, and oxygen, are able to effect the rapid decay of organic material. Raw feedstocks are first blended with amendments and bulking agents to provide nutrients, balance the moisture content, create adequate pore space for the movement of air through the composting mass, and produce a homogeneous mix. From the blending unit, a conveyor system delivers material to the processing area where a front end loader operator places the blended admixture into a composting bay. During processing, temperature probes placed near the center of the compost pile relay information to a computerized process control station. The computer turns fans on and off according to preset temperature levels, pushing air into the floor channels and up through the composting mass to remove excess heat and moisture. After three to four weeks, when primary processing is complete, the material is removed from the bay by a front end loader operator, screened, and set aside to cure for another three to four weeks. When fully stable, the compost may be rescreened and/or blended with other materials prior to shipment. McGill accepts and processes a wide variety of materials for use as feedstocks in the manufacture of its compost products for conventional growers. All feedstocks must meet EPA Class A standards for metals prior to acceptance. Lime stabilization is not required for biosolids.
For information about feedstocks used in the manufacture of products formulated especially for organic growers, please contact a member of our compost sales team -- Lewis Flynn Tracy Gurganious Acceptance procedures McGill facilities are able to process all types of source-separated, non-hazardous materials. However, prior to acceptance, each feedstock must be reviewed to insure that all feedstocks meet or exceed regulatory requirements established by our operating permits, as well as policies, procedures, and processing standards developed and implemented by McGill for the manufacture of quality compost products. STEP 1: Analytical Review In order to insure all finished composts meet or exceed standards for EPA Class A products, no feedstock is accepted by McGill that cannot meet the same standard for toxicity (including metals). Prior to accepting a new feedstock at McGill facility, we ask each client to submit a copy of a recent waste analysis. The specific tests required are determined by the material to be processed. For more information about these tests, contact Steve Cockman at 919-362-1161 or email scockman at mcgillcompost dot com. STEP 2: Pilot Scale Evaluation Once analytical standards verified, an appropriate quantity of the proposed feedstock may be composted at a McGill facility to --
When such information is not provided with analytical data, pilot scale testing will generate information necessary for recipe development and the calculation of blending ratios, such as percent moisture, percent nitrogen, percent carbon, bulk density, and particle size. CONTACT:
Steve Cockman |
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