Industrial food waste decomposer

Types of Industrial Food Waste Decomposers

An industrial food waste decomposer comes in a few different types. Each type has its unique qualities.

• Vermicomposting

  The worm composting method uses earthworms to break down food waste. The highly nutritious compost produced by vermicomposting is rich in minerals. Thanks to the presence of earthworms, composting happens so fast. It takes only a few months. This type of food waste composter can be set up anywhere, even in closed places. It also produces little leachate or liquid. This liquid can be used as a plant fertilizer. However, the composting worms need proper care. The working temperature of the worms should be around 15 degrees C-25 degrees C. They must also be kept away from harmful insects.

• Mechanical Drying Type

  This specific food waste composter has a mechanical dryer. The dryer removes all the moisture present in the food waste. Then, it heats and speeds up the decomposition process. As a result, a dry powder-like end product is created. This end product can be used as fertile soil. The mechanical drying type decomposer is very simple and easy to operate. It uses heat to kill all germs and reduces odors. The heat also makes the compost easier to handle. The resulting fertilizer from this type is odorless and sterile. But the equipment needs regular maintenance. Users also need to be careful while handling the hot compost. The composting unit needs electricity to function well.

• Thermal Oxidation

  This type of industrial food waste decomposer uses high temperatures to break down waste. The thermal oxidation food waste decomposer also reduces the volume of waste. It gives out hot air that smells bad. So, special air purification devices are needed to clean the air before it is released into the atmosphere. The thermal oxidation decomposer can destroy all types of harmful bacteria and pathogens. But this type of decomposer is quite expensive to manage.

• Biological Aerobic

  The biological aerobic decomposer uses beneficial microorganisms to decompose the food waste. It quickly reduces the volume of waste and converts it into compost. The aerobic compost has a pleasant smell and can be used as fertilizer. This type of food waste decomposer is eco-friendly, economical, and odorless. It also uses solar energy. A biological aerobic food waste decomposer is also capable of eliminating harmful pathogens from the waste. Still, it needs regular maintenance and technical support.

Functions and Features of Industrial Food Waste Decomposers

Each model of an industrial food waste decomposer may differ in features. Nonetheless, here are some common features of these machines:

• Centrifuge

  Centrifuge machines use rapid rotation to separate liquid waste from solid. Many composting processes need the removal of excess water, particularly when dealing with wet food waste. The centrifuge comes in handy in this case. It can reduce the volume of waste by taking out excess water and making it easy to manage. Furthermore, separating water from solid waste lowers the costs for transport and landfill. The solids remaining are more digestible for bacteria during the decomposition stage.

• Composting

  The decomposition of solid waste happens in the composting chamber. Microorganisms like bacteria and fungi break down organic material in this room. Their activity produces heat, which helps kill dangerous germs and pathogens. The end product after composting is valuable manure, which is beneficial for plant growth.

• Dewatering

  The dewatering process removes excess liquid from solid waste. If there is too much liquid, it becomes hard to compost organic material. Wet waste is also more challenging to handle and transport. Furthermore, the liquid produced can contain harmful pollutants. Therefore, dewatering solves all these issues by reducing the volume of waste. It produces a drier and safer end product that is easy to manage.

• Biogas Production

  Some decomposers have a feature that enables them to produce biogas. Biogas is a useful energy source that can power the food waste decomposer's operations. Biogas production is a result of organic material breaking down without oxygen. This process also produces fertilizer rich in nutrients for plants. When waste is used to make energy and fertilizer, it promotes sustainability by conserving resources. Energy and fertilizer made from waste reduce environmental impacts.

• Pelletizing

  Pelletizing is an important process that compacts the fertilizer (made from decomposed food waste) into small pellets. These fertile pellets are then easy to store and transport. They can also be sold as a valuable product for customers who need fertilizer for their plants. By converting the compost into pellets, the fertilizer becomes more convenient and marketable. Farmers and gardeners can use the fertilizer pellets with ease. The soil quality will improve while plants grow healthy with less chemical fertilizer. This also brings more profits for the owners of the food waste decomposer machine.

Scenarios of Industrial Food Waste Decomposers

The food decomposer machine is widely adopted across various sectors because it effectively manages food waste. Here are some of its uses:

• Restaurants and Food Chains

  Restaurants and food chains produce massive amounts of food waste. Most also have on-site composting facilities. An industrial food waste composting machine can break down this waste within a few hours. Using food waste disposers fosters a green image in these businesses, attracting environmentally conscious clients and reducing disposal costs.

• Schools and Universities

  Schools and universities have cafeterias that create substantial food waste. The food waste decomposer machine can aid these institutions in sustainable practices and environmental education. Incorporating it into the curriculum raises awareness about food waste management and its impact on the environment. The compost made can be used in school gardens and used for educational purposes.

• Hospitality Industry

  The hospitality industry, including hotels and resorts, generates food waste from on-site restaurants, banquets, and guest dining. Some offer guests the option of choosing meal portions to reduce food waste. Incorporating food waste decomposers into the kitchen allows them to transform food scraps into compost, which can be used to maintain hotel grounds and gardens.

• Supermarkets and Food Markets

  These businesses generate food waste from expired or unsold items. The food waste recycler machine provides an efficient method for managing organic waste. Using the machine raises awareness about food waste and sustainable practices among clients. Additionally, integrating it with a food waste sorting system promotes better waste management practices and enhances the overall environmental strategy.

• Conventional Markets

  Wet markets or conventional markets primarily deal with fresh produce. However, they still produce food waste from unsold or spoiled items. Adopting food waste decomposing machines in these markets helps manage such waste efficiently. This also maintains the market's sanitation and hygiene and lowers the risk of pests and foul odors.

• Farms and Agricultural Sector

  Farms can use food waste decomposers to recycle kitchen scraps into organic compost, providing an additional fertilizer source. This enhances soil health and promotes sustainable practices. The machine also helps to reduce dependence on synthetic fertilizers and improves soil quality and fertility.

• Industrial Cafeterias

  Large companies with extensive employee cafeterias produce considerable food waste. Installing food waste composters in these cafeterias allows them to convert food scraps into compost. This compost can be used in landscaping and maintaining the company's premises.

• Food Processing Facilities

  These facilities generate significant organic waste from meat, fruit, and vegetable processing. On-site food waste reactors can convert food waste into low-market value compost within a short time. This helps manage the waste and minimizes the environmental impact of such facilities.

• Agricultural Research Institutions

  Food waste decomposers can be utilized for research and demonstration purposes. These institutions can incorporate them into their organic waste management system while studying different composting methods and their effects on soil health and plant growth.

How to choose an industrial food waste decomposer?

When purchasing an IFW composter, users should keep some crucial factors in mind to ensure they buy the kind they need. They are;

• Choose a suitable scale: If the organization is dealing with large amounts of food waste, it is better to choose an industrial-scale food waste composting machine. However, if the customer is just starting the project, it is good to pick a smaller model. This way, the user can work up gradually and then upgrade to a bigger machine once they are used to the process.
• Technology: Different types of food waste decomposers are available in the market, using various technologies, such as aerated static piles, In-vessel composting, etc. Buyers should thoroughly research the technologies used by different models, as this will help them know which one is more advanced and efficient.
• Compliance: If buyers are purchasing food waste decomposers for their organizations, they should ensure that the model they are choosing is compliant with their local regulations. Perhaps, customers can contact local regulatory authorities to find out what regulations they must comply with and then get advice from suppliers on models that will adhere to them.
• Budget: When purchasing anything, customers set a budget and stick to it. It is the same for food waste decomposers. However, buyers must understand that the initial purchasing price is different from the operating and maintenance costs. To get the best return on investment, they should factor all these costs into the final decision.
• Features: Naturally, buyers will prefer a food waste decomposer with features to facilitate its use and make the work more efficient. Some of these features include automatic controls, air circulation systems, temperature monitoring systems, and moisture controls.
• Volume: Customers will also look for a food waste decomposer that could handle the amount of waste their organization generates. To do this accurately, they must calculate the size and amount of waste generated daily and choose a model that could accommodate that volume.
• Manufacturer's Support: When buying in bulk, buyers should ensure the manufacturer offers good after-sale support and customer service. This will help purchasers quickly solve any issues that might arise during installation or operation.

Q & A

Q: How long does it take for food waste to decompose?

A: The time it takes depends on various factors such as temperature, humidity, and type of waste. Industrial composting facilities can process waste in a few months, while home composting may take longer.

Q: Can a food waste decomposer be competitive with traditional waste disposal methods?

A: It can reduce the need for landfill space and provide a potential revenue source through compost sales. Its use may also have associated costs and benefits.

Q: What is the significance of the food waste decomposer industry?

A: This industry helps in managing waste effectively and produces a valuable end product that can be used to enrich soil and improve sustainability practices.

Q: What are some challenges faced by the food waste decomposer industry?

A: Challenges include raising awareness about food waste and finding suitable markets for compost products.

Q: How can businesses support the food waste decomposer industry?

A: They can adopt food waste reduction practices and use these businesses' services to compost food waste.