Howard County

Columbia, MD 2016

Aerated static pile composting featuring trench style floors and biofilter.

drone view of compost system
bunker wall composting zones, with trench aeration floor
Aeration duct and controls
Bunker walls and compost
Howard County aerated composting facility
Howard County aerated static pile system with compost
8 compost zones
negative ASP system
drone view of compost system
bunker wall composting zones, with trench aeration floor
Aeration duct and controls
Bunker walls and compost
Howard County aerated composting facility
Howard County aerated static pile system with compost
8 compost zones
negative ASP system

Capacity (TPY) Phase 1 Pilot

8,000

Capacity (TPY) Phase 2

50,000

Technologies Used

Client Needs

Howard County wanted to start a composting facility using a two-phase approach. Phase I would be a small pilot that their staff could use to practice composting with their own municipally collected feedstocks at their existing landfill facility.  Phase II would be a facility sized at 60,000 tpy and based on the Phase I findings. Howard County was looking for a process engineering and equipment provider that:

  • Understood that odor management is of critical concern
  • Would provide science based technical assistance for solving process problems as they arise
  • Had a track record of working efficiently with civil engineers and general contractors
  • Supplied high quality equipment that would last without replacement for decades

ECS Solution

After an RFP process that included a rigorous due-diligence ECS was selected to provide a six-zone, negatively aerated and fabric covered pilot system for primary composting yard and food wastes. During the Phase I testing Howard County decided to abandon the fabric covering the aerated static piles (ASPs) and used an organic cover layer in its place. The process results improved and the Phase II facility was designed around a negative only aeration system with a biofilter.

ECS was selected and awarded the Phase II contract via a second RFP process and worked with Howard County’s civil engineer to create detailed facility designs that would go out for bid to general contractors. The Phase II design included 10 primary and secondary composting zones in a bunker wall configuration, with negative aeration and a low friction trench aeration floor to a biofilter that uses a high pressure sparger aeration floor.

Project youtube video by EA Engineering.

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The ECS team is extremely knowledgeable about the composting process and have done extensive research on how to utilize their systems to maximize product stability and quality. Their team is responsive and curious for feedback about our system. Their design team was flexible with our capacities for technology / communications as well as working with the site engineer to adjust for field conditions and contact water regulations. Upper management is very satisfied with the combination of their technology and our operations. Jeffrey Dannis Chief, Operations Division

Contact ECS to learn more.

We want to learn how to support your composting goals!

4220 24th Avenue West
Seattle, Washington 98199

Tel: (206) 634-2625
Fax: (206) 634-1309