Power Production From Composting

Byproducts of Compost

• Two important byproducts of compost are methane and heat. Methane is a greenhouse gas with 25 times the environmental impact as carbon dioxide. Heat is also emitted by organic substances as they degrade.

Methane As An Energy Source

• Methane is emitted from organic substances, such as food and yard scraps, when they decompose in an oxygen-deprived setting, such as in a landfill. Methane can be captured and used as a power source -- whether it is emitted from a compost pile or a landfill.

Heat As An Energy Source

• Compost emits heat as it decomposes. Large farming operations have used thermal capture systems on their compost piles as an alternative means of producing energy. Compost piles of 150 to 800 tons can produce millions of Btus of heat per day, which can then be redirected to warm buildings, radiant flooring systems and water tanks.