You are on page 1of 6

JK series

A compost adapted to the ecocycle

It is not only humans that produce waste. In nature there is a lot of organic waste produced by other living organisms, and composting takes place continuously. It is a process which utilises oxygen, microorganisms and organic matter. In nature it happens slowly, and over large areas. Humans have learned from natures example how to turn organic waste into rich soil. If the organic matter is mixed in favourable conditions the process will accelerate and a big volume reduction is achieved. Temperature In a compost mixture the temperature will rise, because of the work of the microorganisms. It can reach up to 65-70C The temperature increase takes place in two phases. In the initial mesophilic phase the microorganisms are adapted to temperatures between 15 and 45C. At this time the more easily degradeable substrates are split, for example sugar and starch. After this period there is a brief halt in the temperature increase, caused by the mesophilic microorganisms changing into a thermophilic flora which has its Only a few The phase when optimum between 35 specialised the microbacteria In the cooling and 65C. At this organisms change work during period the time there are few the hottest material specialised bacteria in period matures the compost. This period continues until there is no food left for the micro organisms. At the end of the process the temperature drops, and the material matures. Oxygen For the degradation to be aerobic there has to be a constant flow of oxygen (O2). It is the micro organisms that use oxygen during the degradation of the waste matter. If the oxygen levels are too low there will be anaerobic degradation (putrefaction). Methane (CH4) and sulphurhydrogens (H2S) are then produced. Sulphur hydrogen has an unpleasant smell, sensed even at a low concentration. The material has to be aired to provide enough oxygen for the microorganisms. Additives such as wood pellets provide structure for the material, while within the porous areas thus created the gases are transported in and out of the mixture. Nitrogen turnover In the compost material there is a lot of nitrogen (N). Some of which leaves as ammonia (NH3). The microorganisms use nitrogen to build up biomass. The nitrogen that remains in the compost is organically bound, and it is not readily accessible by plants.

C/N (Important)
To balance the nitrogen-rich material, carbon (C) has to be added. The microorganisms use carbon as a source of energy. The carbon contributes to a lowered loss of nitrogen as ammonia, and it is added via material such as sawdust or wood pellets. pH levels When a compost is started the pH is about 6. As the temperature rises the degradation is so fast that there is not enough oxygen. Fermentation will start and lactic acid is produced. The pH drops temporarily down to 4-5. When there is enough oxygen available the lactic acid is broken down and the hydrogen ions are bound in different nitrogen compounds. When the process in completed, the pH is about 8-9.

The temporary pH drop when the oxygen supply is insufficent

Dividing of the material If the material is cut into small pieces there are more contact surface areas for the microorganisms to attack. This makes the process faster. Carbon material additives There are three main reasons why such material is added: to absorb moisture, to give structure, and to balance the relationship between carbon and nitrogen. If the compost is too wet or compact there is a risk of bad smells arising from organic acids, methane and laughing gas. About 10 % of dry material should be added. Moisture It is important that the material in a compost is well drained. The ideal humidity is 50-60 %. Milk, yoghurt, soup and sauce should not be put in the compost. It becomes difficult to assess the volume of sufficient sawdust ,etc., to balance such wet material. It is also important that the mixture is not too dry in the machine, as the process will stop. It is on the wet surface of the material that the microorganisms exist i.e. no water - no micro organisms.

Compost particles

Waterfilm where the microorganisms are

Pores for air and gas exchanges

How to use the composter Anyone can use the composter. It is quite simple, and no previous knowledge is needed. The thing to remember is to put only organic waste in the machine, and nothing else.

What you should not put in: cigarettes bags from the vacuum cleaner foil and other metals rubber and plastics plastic or metal caps envelopes and printed paper milk and juice boxes paper- waxed and coloured strings and bands gum

What you can put in the compost: leftovers (fresh and prepared) Meat (also smaller bones) Fish (also small bones) Seafood Vegetables Potatoes Egg (also shells) Bread and cookies Fruit Coffegrounds and tea (also filters) Flour and sugar bags Napkins and crepe paper Egg cartons Sawdust and straw from pets Plant residues

The final product In the final product there is enough phosphor (P) and potassium (K) for the product to be used as a PK-fertilizer. However, the nitrogen is organically bound, so if the product should be used as a fertilizer in agriculture extra nitrogen is needed. The compost material holds a lot of nitrogen which is set over time. Yearly adding of compost to the soil covers the nitrogen need. In residential properties the product can be used on bushes and plants, for topdressing of the lawn, and for baskets and containers. If the product is used as a soil improver it can be used non-sifted and be worked down in the soil. If the product is to be used in baskets and containers it should first be sifted and mixed with low-nutrition soil. The proportions should

be compost and soil. For the compost to be suitable for growing it is important that it is mature. Unripened compost is inhibiting for plant roots and there will be competition for the nitrogen between the compost and the plants. JK 5100, JK5200, JK5300, JK5400, JK5600, JK5800, JK6000 The JK series is a part of a new generation of compost-machines. It is designed for organic kitchen waste. The JK series are products adapted to the ecocycle in many ways. To accelerate the work of the microorganisms the waste is ground into fine particles. This makes the process much faster, and it is possible to have a ready compost product in 4 weeks. The waste is put into the chute and it passes the grinder before entering the first chamber, the process chamber. If a paper bag is used the entire bag is put in the chute, and there will be no container to return or to clean. The machine has always a grinding sequence, and the smaller the material pieces the faster is the process. The grinder can be turned off, for example when the machine is used for large-scale kitchen waste. The machine is equipped with an automatic pelletsdozer, and if such material is added automatically by the machine it gets more even results in a better endproduct. About two week later the mixing mechanism passes the material into the next chamber, the ripening chamber. Two weeks later the compost is ready and can be emptied from the machine as the material is now mature. Thanks to the twinchamber system it is possible to have a mature product in only 2-4 weeks. The only thing the user has to do is to open the lid to the chute and put the waste in the machine.

Chamber 2, ripening chamber

Chamber 1, processes chamber

Chute for the waste input.

Place for emptying

It is important to estimate the waste proportions correctly. If the machine is too small for the amount of waste, there will be problems in the process, and a bad smell is one of the things that can occur. If the machine is bigger than the waste volume added the process can be adapted. For example, a person produces on average about 3 litres of waste per week. An average household contains 2/3 persons. The JK5100 model type is dimensioned for about 700 l/week. This gives a capacity for about 100 households per machine. In some areas the capacity can go up to 150 households. It could for example depend on household sizes. The interval for the mixing can easily be changed. That could be needed if the waste is too wet. The pellet amount can also be changed. These settings make it easy to adapt the machine to the kind of waste you are encountering. Problems? The material is too dry and there are visible traces of pellets in the product: decrease the pellet amount. The material is too dry but no visible trace of pellets in the end product: reduce the mixing interval in the chamber. The material is too wet- mix the material more often. Check the drainage hose. If there is a fold or a kink in the hose the airing will not work as it supposed to. There could also be a need for more dry additives. Too much smell - it could be because the material is to wet or too compact. The material is too compact- if more structure is needed just add more wood pellets or sawdust (instruction in the technical manual JKseries). If the wrong kind of bag is used there can be a dough in the machine that resists the turning arms, Use bags recommended by Joraform. Economy In Sweden the waste rates are based on weight. Analysis has shown that 53 % of the waste can be composted and the fees can be halved. There is a double environmental advantage in compost. The influence on the environment is less because of fewer transport movements, no open fill, and no waste burning. Instead the ready product can be used as a soil improver or as fertilizer.

Joraform AB
Box 165 S-595 22 Mjlby +46 142 232 00

www.joraform.com info@joraform.se www.joraform.com.cn service@joraform.com.cn

You might also like