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== Abstract ==
== Abstract ==


A rapid composting system was designed by ENGR215 Team 6 to find a better use for the green waste generated at the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center. Below is a detailed page on the process and cost of building the rapid compost system.
A rapid composting system was designed by [[Engr215 Introduction to Design]] Team 6 to find a better use for the green waste generated at the [http://www.friendsofthedunes.org/HCNC/ Humboldt Coastal Nature Center]. Below is a detailed page on the process and cost of building the rapid [[compost]] system.


== Problem Statement ==
== Problem Statement ==


The Friends of the Dunes invites volunteers every week to remove invasive plants in the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center. Each week, a volume of approximately 6’x6’x6’ of green waste is generated and shipped off the site to be taken care of miles away. In an effort to manage the waste on site, rather than shipping it, a rapid composting system was designed.
The [[Friends of the Dunes]] invites volunteers every week to remove invasive plants in the [http://www.friendsofthedunes.org/HCNC/ Humboldt Coastal Nature Center]. Each week, a volume of approximately 6’x6’x6’ of green waste is generated and shipped off the site to be disposed of miles away. In an effort to manage the waste on site, rather than shipping it, this rapid composting system was designed.


== Criteria ==
== Criteria ==
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== Description of Final Project ==
== Description of Final Project ==


The rapid compost system is a three chamber structure insulated with beach grass bales. The structure is 4'x5'2"x15' and each chamber is 4'x4'x4'. The beach grass will provide insulation necessary to regulate the internal temperature of the system. To protect the bales from rain, a lime plaster will surround the structure. A corrugated metal roof will also add extra protection from rain.  
The rapid compost system is a three chamber compost bin with no mechanical parts. The structure is supported by wood beams and insulated with beach grass bales. To protect the insulating bales from wet weather, a hand mixed lime plaster seals the walls. The ground under the structure has been compacted thoroughly and covered with wood pallets to prevent the compost materials from contacting the earth. A roof will be slightly larger than the structure, and pitched at an angle, to keep rain from soaking through the plaster. Doors were made from donated wood that slides into place.


{{How to
{{How to
  |title=How to Build the Rapid Compost System
  |title=How to Build the Rapid Compost System
|File: FOTD Compost Location.jpg|Project Site |1 |Find an open space.  
|File: FOTD Compost Location.jpg|Project Site |1 |Find an open space.  
|File: FOTD Compost Location.jpg |Three Chamber compost System |2 |Lay the foundation. Our system will have recycled pallets as a foundation. A concrete foundation should always be considered in relation to the weight of the structure and the stability of the ground beneath.  
|File:Team 6.jpg |Three Chamber compost System |2 |Compress and flatten the ground where the compost bin will go.
|File:Aleiha dish.jpg |Three Chamber compost System the 2nd |3 |Stack the bales carefully and away from moisture. It is vital to keep the bales very dry. If any moisture is trapped under the plaster, the bales will rot and mold, creating an unstable and dangerous structure.  
|File:Team6pallets.jpg |Three Chamber compost System the 2nd |3 |Find some pallets to build the frame of the composter. Pallets can be found almost anywhere that receives freight. One of the best places to search are hardware stores, who will often give away the pallets for free.
|File:Aleiha dish.jpg |Some picture |4 |Slide re-bar through the bales like giant nails to add extra support.  
|File:Team6Lukehummering.jpg |Some picture |4 |Nail three pallets together to make a chamber for the compost.  
|File:Aleiha dish.jpg |Some random picture |5 |Lay pond liner over the top bales for extra rain protection.
|File:Team6singlechamber.jpg |Some random picture |5 |Place another pallet at the bottom of the chamber. This pallet will prevent the compost materials from contacting the ground while also allowing air to enter the compost bin form below.  
|File:Aleiha dish.jpg |Some picture |6 |Wrap chicken wire around the bales and staple the wire to the bales with large metal "U" shaped staples.  
|File:Team6threechamber.jpg |Some picture |6 |Because of the large amount of waste being generated at Friends of the Dunes, three chambers were built. One or two chambers would be more appropriate for individual households.
|File:Aleiha dish.jpg |Some random picture |7 |Mix and plaster the bales. Make sure one last time there is no moisture in the bales.  
|File:Team6cutslots.jpg |Slots for door |7 |Take six boards that are about the height of each chamber and cut slots into them. These slots will be placeholders for planks of wood which will make the door. 
|File:Aleiha dish.jpg |Some picture |8 | Attach the roof and doors to the system.  
|File:Team6drillslots.jpg |Some picture |8 |Drill the boards directly onto the chamber walls.  
|File:Aleiha dish.jpg |Some random picture |9 |Test to see if the compost materials need any changes.  
|File:Team6woodenslots.jpg |Some random picture |9 |Take any extra pallets you may have and remove the planks of wood. This wood is perfect for doors and will save money since pallets are free.  
|File:Aleiha dish.jpg |Some picture |10 |Plant away with your new soil!
|File:Team6placeslots.jpg |Some picture |10 |Place the planks of wood into the slots.  
|File:Team6placein3chambers.jpg |Some picture |11 |Once all planks are in place, the door will be complete.
|File:Team6roof.JPG |Some picture |12 |Latch on a metal roof to protect the compost materials from rain.
|File:Team6beachgrass.jpg |Beach Grass Bale |13 |Properly insulate the chambers by placing straw bales around the system. In our design we used beach grass because it is an invasive plant that is always readily available.
 
}}
}}


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{| class="wikitable sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
|-
|align="center"| Materials  
!align="center"| Materials  
|align="center"| Unit Cost($)
!align="center"| Quantity
|align="center"| Quantity
!align="center"| Potential Cost
|align="center"| Subtotal($)
!align="center"| Our Cost
|align="center"| Tax($)
|-
|align="center"| Total($)
| Pallets
|align="right"| 3
|align="center"| $23.75/pallet
|align="right"| Donated
|-
| Beach Grass Bales
|align="right"| 18
|align="center"| Free
|align="right"| Donated
|-
| Straw Bales
|align="right"| 18
|align="center"| $9.12/bale
|align="right"| $9.12/bale
|-
| Lime Plaster
|align="right"| 48ft<sup>2</sup>
|align="center"| $50.00
|align="right"| $50.00
|-
| Wood
|align="right"| twelve 2”x4”x4’
|align="center"| Free
|align="right"| Free
|-
| Nails and Wire Staples
|align="right"| 1lb
|align="center"| $2.49/lb
|align="right"| Donated
|-
|-
| Our own materials
| Chicken Wire
|align="right"| Cost
|align="right"| 48ft<sup>2</sup>
|align="center"| Number of units
|align="center"| $12.00
|align="right"| C times Number of Units
|align="right"| $12.00
|align="right"| taxes
|align="right"| time taxes
|-
|-
| Our own materials
| Rebar
|align="right"| 4.49
|align="right"| five 4' bars
|align="center"| 1
|align="center"| $3.00/bar
|align="right"| 4.49
|align="right"| $3.00/bar
|align="right"| 0.40
|align="right"| 4.89
|-
|-
| Our own material
| Corrugated Sheet Metal
|align="right"| 2.99
|align="right"| one 4'x15' sheet
|align="center"| 12
|align="center"| Free
|align="right"| 35.88
|align="right"| Free
|align="right"| 3.23
|align="right"| 39.11
|-class="sortbottom"
|-class="sortbottom"
|
!colspan="2" align="center" | '''Total with Beach Grass Bales'''
|
!align="right"|'''$161.24'''
|
!align="right"| '''$86.00'''
|
! Total
!$ Total
|}
|}


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[[Image: Group Time input.jpg|upright=2.7]]
[[Image: Group Time input.jpg|upright=2.7]]


== Test Results ==
[[Category:Engr215 Introduction to Design]]
Add some numbers and results of compost system.
 
[[Category:Friends of the Dunes]]
[[Category:Composting]]




[[Category:Engr215 Introduction to Design]]
==Update October 2017==


[[Category:Friends of the Dunes]]
Unfortunately the rapid compost system fell apart and is no longer available to compost green waste. An employee said that, “They were not used as often as they would have liked.” It was also mentioned that, "They fell over and it was a eye sore."

Revision as of 05:19, 16 October 2017

Abstract

A rapid composting system was designed by Engr215 Introduction to Design Team 6 to find a better use for the green waste generated at the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center. Below is a detailed page on the process and cost of building the rapid compost system.

Problem Statement

The Friends of the Dunes invites volunteers every week to remove invasive plants in the Humboldt Coastal Nature Center. Each week, a volume of approximately 6’x6’x6’ of green waste is generated and shipped off the site to be disposed of miles away. In an effort to manage the waste on site, rather than shipping it, this rapid composting system was designed.

Criteria

Criteria Weight Constraint
Cost 4 Less than $400
Ease of Use 7 Usable by untrained volunteers
Educational Value 6 At least volunteers learn more about rapid compost systems
Effectiveness 9 Must be able to process about 6’x6’x6’ of yard waste every 14-21 days
Labor Intensity 5 Cannot require more maintenance than 1-2 times a week for 2-3 hours each day
Availability of Amendments 2 Bought locally and cheaply
Aesthetics 6 More professional than a tarp
Safety 10 Non-toxic and will not spontaneously combust
Durability 8 Stable for at least one year

Description of Final Project

The rapid compost system is a three chamber compost bin with no mechanical parts. The structure is supported by wood beams and insulated with beach grass bales. To protect the insulating bales from wet weather, a hand mixed lime plaster seals the walls. The ground under the structure has been compacted thoroughly and covered with wood pallets to prevent the compost materials from contacting the earth. A roof will be slightly larger than the structure, and pitched at an angle, to keep rain from soaking through the plaster. Doors were made from donated wood that slides into place.

File: FOTD Compost Location.jpg
How to Build the Rapid Compost System

Materials Cost

Materials Quantity Potential Cost Our Cost
Pallets 3 $23.75/pallet Donated
Beach Grass Bales 18 Free Donated
Straw Bales 18 $9.12/bale $9.12/bale
Lime Plaster 48ft2 $50.00 $50.00
Wood twelve 2”x4”x4’ Free Free
Nails and Wire Staples 1lb $2.49/lb Donated
Chicken Wire 48ft2 $12.00 $12.00
Rebar five 4' bars $3.00/bar $3.00/bar
Corrugated Sheet Metal one 4'x15' sheet Free Free
Total with Beach Grass Bales $161.24 $86.00


Design Cost

Figure 8: Time Invested

Group Time input.jpg


Update October 2017

Unfortunately the rapid compost system fell apart and is no longer available to compost green waste. An employee said that, “They were not used as often as they would have liked.” It was also mentioned that, "They fell over and it was a eye sore."

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