Due to the odours leaving the factory, many nearby residents registered complaints which threatened to close the premises. In view of this, the owners decided to invest longterm into the business in an effort to help the environment, the residents, and also to ensure high quality compost production.
The following factors were considered:
- Cease odour emission.
- Modern environmental compost farm.
- Best Available Technology (BAT)
- Sustainable development.
In September 2004, following a tender submitted, we received a beneficial decision from the EU to commence the Life Program.
The following tasks had to be fulfilled:
Task 1: Project management and reporting to the EU.
Task 2: Optimisation of site planning and engineering.
Task 3: Building and construction of 3 indoor tunnels, spigot floor for aeration, collection for water, drainage and the integrated bio-washer and bio-filter.
Task 4: Installation of the prototype. Indoor tunnels were equipped with exhaust duct system, pressure controlled and servo motor regulated valve system.
Task 5: Start up, test and trial production.
Task 6: Environmental Management System (EMS) requires identification and evaluation of environmental aspects and impacts.
Task 7: Evaluation and dissemination of the results.
Due to the project, we managed to accomplish a modern environmental investment and the composting procedure is more reliable.
Results of the project:
Technology
Due to the Life-project the most modern technology is applied in the compost farm. Since compost production causes heavy duty circumstances, the technological objects must be protected by hot-dip galvanized iron, special coat paint and stainless steel.
The goal of the project was to implement Ecofilter. Rest objects of the project were adjusted to this basic concept (Ecofilter). For that reason the polluted air has to be collected and lead away. It can be done in case the composting procedure takes place in a completely closed system from the beginning to the end. The mixing area is covered and both the pre-wetting area and the indoor tunnels are supplied with fans for exhausting the polluted air. At first the polluted air is washed then 90% of the rest pollution is absorbed in the bio-filter. Currently straw is applied as a filter material but we are going to test other sort of filter materials, as well.
Economic efficiency
By the new technology the production is more concentrated and more effective because the material handling is carried out by conveyor belts, and then the mixed raw materials are filled in by special overhead filling system. The operations of these equipments are cheaper, In addition the compost farm can be operated on full capacity, so thus the first cost of the production became lower.
Social benefits
Since 2005 the emitted smell is less frequent and less intensive. In March 2006 we canvassed the residents of Áporka and we passed a questioner to every house. On the basis of the back mailed questioners the residents have registered positive changes in the last 1-2 years. The communication with the residents is already better but in the future it still could be improved.
Environmental benefits
Due to the exhaust system of the indoor tunnels – operated by control computer – and the covering of the technological objects, smell and ammonia emission can be reduced at least by 90%.
Gases produced by the fermentation of the mixed raw materials are absorbed in the bio-filter and bio-washer. This system is supplemented with a water tank system; in this way the technological water can be recycled and the drainage does not leak into the ground.
As the filter material (straw) is recycled in the compost production, its nitrogen content – originated from the absorbed ammonia – improves the quality of the compost thus the mushroom growers can achieve higher yield.
