Naturally meet regulatory requirements

Maximize production, minimize odors

Air and more . . .

Effective odor control is essential for the success of any composting facility, ensuring regulatory compliance and community acceptance. Aeration and leachate management play a crucial role in minimizing odors. Proper oxygenation suppresses odors by supporting organic breakdown, regulating temperature, and managing moisture. Additionally, effective aeration maintains particle spacing for drainage and prevents anaerobic conditions that contribute to odor issues.

Bioworks’ patented Airfloor® system integrates forced aeration with leachate collection beneath the compost pile. This innovative technology offers composters several key benefits:

Delivers balanced and consistent oxygen distribution over longer pile lengths
Removes excess moisture and surface leachate
Accelerates processing time by eliminating dormant periods
Significantly reduces odors
Supports heavy mobile operating equipment

By optimizing airflow and moisture control, the Airfloor® system enhances composting efficiency while maintaining environmental responsibility.

Bioworks’ unique and trademarked COMPOST PROCESS graphic illustrates the dynamic interactions between carbon, nutrients, air, and water throughout the composting process. It visually demonstrates the production of CO₂, heat, water vapor, and leachate as by-products. By applying scientific principles, advanced technology, and best operational practices, organic materials can be efficiently transformed into high-quality compost in an environmentally sustainable and profitable way.

No composting without oxygen

Oxygen up; odors down

Aeration is essential in composting, supporting microbial activity, removing excess moisture, and dissipating heat. While microbial oxygen demand is low, maintaining consistent levels is critical, particularly during the high-activity initial stages. Oxygen can drop below 5% within 20 minutes after blowers stop or turning is completed, causing dormancy, slower decomposition, and odor issues from anaerobic conditions.

Basic windrow composting relies on frequent turning for aeration, but this approach demands significant equipment, labor, and fuel. Additionally, it provides intermittent oxygen supply, which may not fully meet microbial needs, making the process less efficient and more resource-intensive.

Advanced aerated systems address these challenges by delivering consistent and controlled oxygen, optimizing microbial activity and reducing odors. They minimize resource use and operational demands, offering a more efficient and sustainable solution compared to traditional windrow methods.

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Practical and efficient composting

Method vs Time

Composting methods range from simple passive systems to advanced in-vessel systems. Passive methods like turned windrows and aerated static piles (ASPs) require minimal infrastructure but have longer processing times and larger footprints. In contrast, in-vessel systems offer faster processing, odor control, and regulatory compliance but demand more equipment and investment. Process times vary widely, from 3 weeks to 12 months, depending on the system. Bioworks specializes in ASP and Covered-ASP systems, which balance efficiency and simplicity, producing compost in 1 to 2 months. These methods suit diverse needs, from low-budget setups to operations with strict environmental requirements.

Cases

Minimize odors

Successive batches for continuous composting

Uniform air distribution is essential for efficient composting. Conventional systems, like pipe-on-grade or trench designs, are limited to 60–80 feet due to airflow challenges, air loss, and uneven distribution in partially filled piles. Bioworks’ Airfloor® system overcomes these issues using the KvN/Haug method, optimizing plenum and orifice areas, friction losses, pressure gradients, and airflow. This ensures uniform air distribution, allows for longer piles, minimises air loss, and permits partially filled piles, or batch composting.

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Manage leachates effectively

Collect leachate while you aerate

Ensure regulatory compliance and protect groundwater and subsoil from contamination with Airfloor® technology. This system enables subsurface leachate collection without interfering with material handling during compost pile formation or removal. It also reduces contaminated water volumes by separating leachate from rainwater, enhancing stormwater pollution prevention.

Each Airfloor® aeration plenum is connected to a custom collection and air-lock basin located at the downstream end, ensuring efficient leachate capture for re-use or treatment. Additionally, the plenums feature a built-in cleaning mechanism for periodic flushing, preventing solids buildup within the in-slab piping. This design ensures long-term system efficiency, providing a reliable and sustainable solution for leachate management.