The trial unit proved its value by achieving pasteurisation, a crucial step in eliminating pathogens and preparing compost for soil rejuvenation, while Hepburn Shire Council minimised the contamination in the end-product. Building on this success Gaia has installed two new in-vessel composting cells at Hepburn Shire Council’s Creswick Transfer Station site to address their FOGO (food organics and garden organics) challenges across the community.
The above chart is an example of the data produced in real-time by the Gaia Rapid Composter through the company’s Neon Analytics data system. Air (oxygen) is controlled, as well as heating in the unit, and the chart below illustrates how quickly high temperatures are achieved (<24hrs). Effective pasteurisation is essential to kill off weeds and pathogens and is complete when the temperature is maintained at 55°C or higher, for more than three days (72hrs).