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Individual feedback from heat recovery enthusiasts
Turn of the 20th century: A wave of local and commercial farms undertake compost heat recovery endeavor. Feedback and reports appear in early 2000s regarding the successes and tribulations observed in the harvesting process. -
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Looking forward: Heat recovery from compost programming
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Research: how organic composition affects heating capabilities
Current research and field tests conducted to determine how the "ingredients" of a compost pile determine its maturation life-span and its heating capabilities. Why might one "recipe" be more energy effective than another? -
USDA assessment for heating capabilities of compost
Composting recognized as a viable waste-management system, which is conveniently also a clean alternative for energy generation. On the scale of US government, this method is integrated as a USDA recognized and promoted program. Upon request, the USDA begins administering tests on domestic farms. These assess how well a certain compost pile will cover heat, determined by the farm's specific input ingredients. This determines feasbility before any system is rigged up on local farms! -
US Department of Energy, US Environmental Protection Agency Endorsement
Recognized as viable waste-management process for not only food, feedstock, and crop scraps, but for animal, industrial and construction waste as well. Composting this kind of waste requires more attention to hazardous waste regulations. These compost areas cannot be piles which sit in direct contact with soil. The treatment processes of "ingredients" and byproducts will require research and program implementation that will likely take longer than a decade.
