Aeration of Compost Heating System Using Magnetic Field

Abstract

Effects of a magnetic field on aeration through porous medium compost have been investigated numerically. Some composts yield heat over 60 degrees Celsius in fermentation process. That exothermic reaction produces a considerable amount of heat, which could be a potential heating source. Fermentation reaction requires aeration, sufficient supply of paramagnetic oxygen gas and exhaust of metabolized diamagnetic carbon dioxide gas. Continuous and forced air supply is more efficient rather than conventional manual turns or stirrings as aeration means. In magnetoaero-dynamics, the magnetizing force acting on a paramagnetic oxygen gas is applied for the enhancement of airflow, heat and mass transfer. In this study, the enhancement of the airflow in cow manure compost have been numerically investigated by applying electric wires on compost. Numerical results show that electric wires enhance the air flow. The application of electric wires to compost aeration is useful for Compost Heating System (CHS), a promising alternative energy system.