| Criterion: |
Bioreactor: |
Aeromaster
compost turner |
| Start-Up
Cost |
May
be up to several million dollars. |
A
fraction of the cost of a bioreactor. |
| Cost
Effectiveness |
Not
cost effective in most settings. Requires tipping fees or grants
to make it affordable. Generally will not generate another source
of profit for livestock producers. Fluid manures more costly to
land apply. |
May
benefit from tipping fees, but can still pay for itself or profit
if no fees received. |
| Value
to Earth and People |
Provides
methane gas for burning or production of electricity. Does nothing
with other gases produced. Generates leachates and methane can be
toxic or even explosive. |
Rebuilds
soils, restores carbon and organic matter, improves erosion control,
reduces disease and insect pressure, enhances water infiltration,
reduces compaction, improves nutrient retention, promotes healthier
plants, reduces need for chemicals, and more. |
| Thorough
Use of Waste |
Nonrenewable
use of material and Use of Waste limited recovery. Even the best
systems only recover 50% of available methane with some as low as
10%. Organics lost for nutrient value and land improvement. Most
landfill gas escapes collection because nearly half of the first
wave of gas generation occurs before collection system is installed.
More than half of total gas generated by landfills will occur in
a second wave of gas generation decades in the future, long after
collection systems are removed.* |
Renewable
use of materials.
Produces aerobic stable product with pathogens destroyed.
Some nitrogen and CO2 is volatilized.
Waste products are recycled to the benefit of the soil and plant. |
