Development of a small-scale, automated membrane-covered closed composting system was completed on 31 October 2020 in Gödöllő, at the registered seat of ProfiKomp® Environmental Technologies Inc. The project was implemented within the framework of the 2018-1.1.1-MKI construction.

Beneficiary: ProfiKomp® Environmental Technologies Inc.
Project title: Development of small-scale, automated membrane-covered closed composting technologies
Project No:  2018-1.1.1-MKI-2018-00020
Amount of support:  HUF 98,804,153
Proportion of support:  65.31%
Period of implementation: 01/11/2018 – 31/10/2020

Development of a small-scale, automated membrane-covered closed composting system was completed on 31 October 2020 in Gödöllő, at the registered seat of ProfiKomp® Environmental Technologies Inc. The project was implemented within the framework of the 2018-1.1.1-MKI construction.

During the project period, ProfiKomp^® Environmental Technologies Inc. constructed a prototype of a small-scale composting equipment that can ensure the composting of the biodegradable waste of a community or a region. The equipment was developed for market actors requiring a small capacity operation (under 1,000 tons/year).

Before manufacturing the prototype, several developmental and experimental steps were taken. In the first phase, a small-scale model of the equipment was produced. Based on experience derived from its testing, the upscaled prototype was further developed. The latter involved the shredder, the two container-based composting modules, and the devices for conveying the material. One of the main advantages of the technology is its closed structure, thus the gases and leachate generated during the treatment are prevented from interacting with the environment. The prototype is fully automated. No ongoing intervention by the operator is required, since monitoring of parameters of the treated material provides us with continual feedback about the efficiency of the processes taking place within the device. Once biodegradable waste is fed into the hopper of the shredder, units installed in the equipment ensure its mixing, including the conveyance of the compost product to the screen.

During the project, the constructed prototype was commissioned and continuously tested under operating conditions. In the course of the testing, the optimal values of parameters were defined for each type of raw materials, and the differences arising from the scale of the prototype as compared to a former model-scale composting unit were examined. Following the evaluation of the test results, modifications were implemented as required, and designs were finalized. Finally, an operating manual for the final prototype was drawn up.