calculation carbon.pdf
TRANSCRIPT
-
7/30/2019 calculation carbon.pdf
1/11
Advanced CompostingDiscussion: Carbon toNitrogen Ratio Simplifed
CalculationsBy Omar Sadek
-
7/30/2019 calculation carbon.pdf
2/11
Carbon and Nitrogen - a quick review
Primary nutrients required by microorganisms orproper composting
CarbonNitrogenPhosphorus
PotassiumExcessive or insufcient quantities o Carbon orNitrogen greatly aects the composting process
-
7/30/2019 calculation carbon.pdf
3/11
Carbon and Nitrogen - a quick review (cont)
Carbon: Provides energy and supports growth
Nitrogen: Provides protein and supportreproductionA balanced Carbon to Nitrogen (C:N) ratio o25:1 to 30:1 is ideal or an active compost pile
C:N ratios o as low as 20:1 or as high as 40:1also produce good quality fnished compost
-
7/30/2019 calculation carbon.pdf
4/11
Carbon and Nitrogen - a quick review (cont)
I C:N < 20:1Excess Nitrogen will o-gas to theatmosphere as NH3 or N2O, resulting in anundesirable odor
I C:N > 40:1Decomposition rate (ie: composting process)slows downThis can be countered by reducing theparticle size
-
7/30/2019 calculation carbon.pdf
5/11
C:N Ratio - Simplifed Calculations
Does not actor in Moisture Content o
eedstock materialDoes not actor in Degradability o thevarious eedstock materials
the ease in which the carbon compounds
in the individual material decomposesand utilized by the microorganisms
-
7/30/2019 calculation carbon.pdf
6/11
Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio Simplifed Formula
[Carbon value
o material A] X
[Weight o
material A] )([Carbon value
o material B] X
[Weight o
material B] )( +...+___________________________________[Weight omaterial A] + [Weight omaterial B] +...
-
7/30/2019 calculation carbon.pdf
7/11
Simplifed C:N Calc Example #1
10 lbs. Llama manure @ 20:1
10 lbs. Fresh leaves @ 40:1Thereore...([20] x [10]) + ([40] x [10])
[10] + [10]______________________ = 60020___ = 30:1
-
7/30/2019 calculation carbon.pdf
8/11
Simplifed C:N Calc Example #2
10 lbs. Llama manure @ 20:1
10 lbs. Hardwood bark @ 220:1Thereore...([20] x [10]) + ([220] x [10])
[10] + [10]______________________ = 240020___ = 120:1Too much brown material added to mix!
-
7/30/2019 calculation carbon.pdf
9/11
General Guidelines or Mixing Greens
and Browns or Acceptable C:N RatioFor browns < 60:1
Leaves, shrubs, corn stalks
For browns 60:1 to 120:1Pine Needles, straw, corncobsFor browns 120:1 to 180:1
Wheat, paper, newsprintFor browns 180:1 to 320:1
Hardwood bark, papertowelsFor browns 320:1 to >500:1Sotwood bark, cardboard,wood chips, sawdust
NOTE: I mixing more than 2 types o brown material, use the Compost Calculator!
=
= 1/2= 1/4
= 1/8= 1/16
-
7/30/2019 calculation carbon.pdf
10/11
Practical Application ExampleVillage o Corrales Composting Facility
Starting Bin Dimensions: 10x8x5 = 14.8 cu ydEstimated kitchen scraps (greens) per week = Qty 10 55 galcontainers = 550 gals/wk = 2.7 cu yd = 4,300 lbsI we mixed w/ dried leaves (browns), wed need minimum o3000 lbs o leaves = 15 cu ydThereore, the starting bin would be too small; 14.8 cu yd vs.an estimated compost pile o 17.7 cu yd!I we mixed w/ 500 lbs o leaves and 200 lbs o wood chips,estimated compost pile would only be 6 cu yd!
-
7/30/2019 calculation carbon.pdf
11/11
Questions???
Thanks or your attention!