BAT 506 (Commenced November 2006)

 

Veolia have been researching solutions to specifically reduce the potential for odour at Downend compost site, where residential premises are in close proximity and where local geography around the site allows odour pockets to form.

With the agreement of the Environment Agency, Veolia have commissioned a trial of an innoculant known as BAT 506, which is added to the Compost process.  This inhibits the development of anaerobic conditions and provides a degree of odour control.

BAT 506 is accredited for use by the Soil Association.

It is composed of proteins and additional ingredients, which make it possible for bacteria and actinomycetes to increase in number and to supply compound oxygen donors in a highly reactive and immediately available state.

The effect of this is to:

 

• reduce the requirement to aerate (i.e. to turn) the windrows to add oxygen
• reduce the possibility of the material turning anaerobic, reducing odours
• a reduction in process time
• Improvement in the quality of the final product.

 

The first expected benefit, a reduced turning regime, will reduce the total number of turns of the material from 16 to as little as 4. The direct consequence of this there will be less mechanical turning of material and therefore less opportunity to release odours but equally, it provides a window of opportunity to turn over a period of 2 or 3 weeks rather than 2 or 3 days, so we are also able to schedule turning operations when the wind is in a favourable direction, away from the majority of residential properties.

The trial is expected to last for one year.

 

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