LAND NETWORK

at the leading edge of recycling waste to land

 

                                       DEEP CLAMP PROCESS

   

Logically, it is possible to envisage recycling materials which have a high intrinsic value (such as aluminium cans) by collection, processing and re-manufacturing into aluminium products.  However, such a process is never, ever, likely to b acceptable for the high volume, low value fraction of many wastes - probably between 50 and 70 % of all current waste materials.  The solution has been to put such material to landfill and, more recently, to "energy recovery" i.e. incineration which carries significant air pollution problems and is, in any case, a waste of the plant nutrients in the waste.  There are only two factories in the world big enough and sophisticated enough to cope safely with the volumes and complexity of world waste production; the Sea and the Soil.  We have little control in managing the sea.  It is the management of re-cycling by the Soil in which LAND NETWORK has the leading edge.

These high volume/low value wastes can be economically recycled by using biological processing.  One acre of active farm soil has, according to research in the USA, micro organisms which, if collected, would be equivalent in weight to a whole cow.

LAND NETWORK use a Deep Clamp to act as the first stage in the bio-processing chain which feeds pasteurised material safely into the soil.   LAND NETWORK also manages the way the soil feeds the plant, the tree, the crop.

 LAND NETWORK Deep Clamp Processing is safe, effective and economic.  Unlike windrowing, it pasteurises the material thoroughly.  It also uses only 25 % or even less of the ground area.  There is no danger of leachate and odour, and bio-aerosols can be substantially controlled or eliminated. Carried out on farms, it secures and generates new rural jobs and fits in with the EU Agenda 21 and the proximity principle.

DEEP CLAMP COMPOSTING - OUTLINE OF THE PHYSICAL PROCESS

  1. Only source-separated material of benefit to the soil is used.
  2. The Heap or “clamp” will be on existing concrete at the rear of the buildings to the East of the site. Rain going in at the top of the heap will steam off because of the heat generated in the heap.  The heap is fairly tidy with near vertical sides.  (See diagram over.)
  3. The site will operate with an Exemption from the Waste Management Licensing Regulations registered with the Environment Agency.  Amongst other restrictions, this means we operate with not more than 1,000 cu m in the process at any one time. This, at 3 m deep, will be approx 18 m square, i.e. a little less that a cricket pitch. 
  4. There is some significant technology in the rules of how the heap is put together so as to prevent leachate.  There is a formal Code of Practice filed with the Agency.  There will belittle or no leachate from a Land Network supervised clamp.
  5. Branches over 20 or 33 mm in diameter, depending on material, will need chipping or shredding. The heap is turned using only farm machines to control heat and progress the reaction.
  6. Generally speaking, most compost made from municipal sourced green waste will not be very good if composted on its own; indeed, much green waste only compost will cause yield depression in the following crop.  We therefore take some trouble to find other wastes or make specific additions to balance up the material.  We are aiming at reducing and eliminating the use of mineral fertilisers and moving the farm in the direction of going organic.
  7. 100 % of the material we accept will be spread to the land occupied by the composting farmer and incorporated (ploughed in) when there is a crop window.  It may also be spread on grass, maybe behind a silage cut.  The material is almost completely odourless on maturity and spreading.

 LAND NETWORK IS DIFFERENT

 It is believed that Land Network’s understanding of the technology is world lead.  We know how to manage these operations and completely eliminate nitrate pollution.  There will be less Nitrogen pollution in all farm situations (because of less use of ammonium nitrate).  In arable crops, there will, over a period of time, be less use of crop protection chemicals. All farms will suffer less drought stress in crops and need less irrigation. We do move all farms in the direction of organic farming and some will go full organic production. The operators live with their operation not just in this generation; the land is handed  on.

Land Network has developed a world lead monitoring program (SEMS – Sustainable Exchange Management of Soils).  Click on link in left-hand panel for more information on SEMS.

 OBJECTIVES :

1.      To aerate the clamp maintain moisture and retain heat up to 60 degrees C.

2.        ”Boil off” surplus water.

3.       To thoroughly pasteurise the products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                  TURNING                                                                   ADDITIONS

 

RISK CONTROLS :

1.      Aerate mixture of waste by turning.

2.      Manage turning to let air in and control temperature in the 55 to 80
         degrees C range.

3.      Make clamp 3m deep.

4.      Work to full Risk Assessment agreed with the Environment Agency.

 

Land Network International Ltd
15 Kingsmanor Wharf, Devizes, Wiltshire  SN10 2ES

Phone/Fax: 0845 130 6900
Mobile :  07950 037153
Email: info@landnetwork.co.uk