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Aerated
Static Pile system is a composting process where air is
added into the piles using a blower to ensure sufficient
level of oxygen for the digestive activities of microorganisms,
making it unnecessary to turn over the piles manually.
It requires that ten prism piles be piled into a dimension
of 2.5x3.5x1.5 meters (WxLxH). Each pile is then blown
twice daily using a 15-inch, 3-horse power squirrel-cage
blower connected to perforated 4-inch PVC pipe. Raw material
comprises agricultural wastes and animal manure in 3:1
ratio by volume to achieve C/N ratio in the range of 20:1-25:1.
The active process requires only 30 days. The investment
cost of this system is USD 2,860 including (1) a shredder,
USD 1,490 (2) a squirrel-caged blower, USD 515 (3) a bag
sewing machine, USD 370 (4) PVC pipes, cow manure, etc.,
USD 485. The average electricity expense is USD 3 per
metric ton of compost. It is capable of producing 10 metric
tons of compost monthly, valued at USD 1,140. Thai farmer
groups have implemented this system at over 415 sites
so far. Wastes from food processing facilities have also
been used as raw materials for the composting using this
system to very positive results. Examples of usable wastes
are corn wastes, ripen mangoes peels, and orange and lemon.

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Special
thank to
The National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA),
Thailand.
Maejo University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
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References
- Diaz L.F., Savage G.M.,
Eggerth L.L. and Golueke C.G. (1993). Composting and Recycling
Municipal Solid Waste. Lewis Publishers. USA.
- Sawangpanyangkura T.
(2005). A Handbook of Composting without Turning: Aerated
Static Pile
System. Faculty of Engineering and Agro Industry. Maejo
University. Thailand.
- Sawangpanyangkura T.,
S. Tantikul, C. Nitatwichit, and S. Yodkham (2004). Composting
of
Green Wastes in Commercial Scale for Local Community by
Aerated Static Pile System. Proc.
3rd National Environmental Conference. Songkla. Thailand.
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