> Poster Presentation 5-10
>
> **Extraction of Low Grade Energy in the Form of Hot Water at 65 to 70
> Degrees Celsius from Compostable Materials Such as Municipal Solid
> Waste (MSW) pre Human Consumption Plant and Vegetable Waste and Animal
> Manures**

[Joseph Ouellette]{.underline}

Agrilab Technologies Inc.

7475 Tranby Ave.

Windsor, Ontario N8S 2B7 CANADA

Phone: 519-944-5900; Fax: 519-944-4206; E-mail: <jouellette@acrolab.com>

Field spreading of MSW and animal manures is outlawed in many
jurisdictions due to the potential for pathogenic bacterial cultures to
migrate into ground water. There is also a body of evidence to suggest
that these pathogens may migrate directly in to the cell structure of
plants presented with untreated MSW and manures. pre human consumption
food waste is costly to process and is generally barred from landfills. 

One very efficient method of rendering these waste feed stocks harmless
is to kill the pathogenic bacteria through the process of composting
during which colonies of thermophilic bacteria act on the waste
materials in the presence of oxygen to achieve and maintain elevated
temperatures in excess of 50 degrees Celsius for a continuous period
spanning a minimum of three days. Having undergone this elevated
temperature cycle, the materials are then considered safe for field
spreading.

The above process is far from innovative or new. In fact it is used in
many municipalities throughout North America.

This paper will address an innovative method for extraction of low level
energy in the form of hot water at a temperature of 65 to 70 Celsius
from the composting process utilizing a matrix of super thermal
conductors in the form of evacuated two phase heat exchangers
generically called \"heatpipes\". This matrix is self powered by the
energy it contacts and rapidly transfers that energy into an insulated
water tank. The hot water is produced  in quantities such that a typical
municipal composting facility can produce excess energy sufficient to
heat a 5 to 10 acre greenhouse operation contiguous to the composting
plant without causing any change in the \"pasteurization\" process
within the composting cycle.

A 10 acre commercial greenhouse as described here will generate
approximately 12 tons of waste plant material weekly during its typical
growing cycle. When plant vines are removed prior to planting new
seedlings, the plant waste tonnage increases ten-fold minimum. Due to
the inclusion of plastic support clips and twine in these vines,
disposal is costly and complex but is quite simple if composting is
used; even consuming the plastic twine and clips in the composting
process. Essentially the energy extraction process and the greenhouse
heating are accomplished at no cost after the capital costs are
amortized. Further, the waste feedstocks from the greenhouse are
consumed by the composting process freeing the greenhouse owner from the
cost of tipping fees for disposal of his waste.  By way of comparison, a
typical 10-acre commercial green house producing hydroponically grown
tomatoes operating in the County of Essex, the Province of Ontario,
Canada, spent \$500,000.00 in natural gas to maintain heat to a required
level during the winter of 2000/2001.

The above technology is \"patent applied for\" in Canada and the United
States with world wide patent protection pending. For additional
information please view  www.agrilab.org