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Quality on-site testing equipment is available to maintain process
control in a composting operation. This equipment is simple to use
and provides a rapid assessment of process performance.
Testing procedures using this equipment can assist in the rapid
diagnosis of problems that may occur during processing.
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An information sheet produced by the Recycled
Organics Unit is available that describes important field
testing procedures for monitoring quality.
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This information sheet is from the package Producing
Quality Compost.
Below is a list of equipment that can be used for on-site field
testing:
| Dickson temperature data logger |
| Small temperature data logger for
continual recording of temperature. |
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Cost: |
-- |
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Supplier: |
Merck Pty. Ltd. |
| Address: |
207 Colchester Road Kilsyth, Victoria
3137 |
| Phone: |
(03) 9728 5855 |
Fax: |
(03) 9728 1351 |
| Email: |
merck@merck.com.au |
| Internet: |
www.merck.com.au |
| Combined oxygen and temperature meter |
| Portable meter capable
of rapidly measuring oxygen and temperature in a windrow or
a static pile. Oxygen monitoring can identify when mechanical
turning or aeration is requires to prevent odour build-up and
maximise the rate of decomposition in compost piles. The meter
runs on a 9V battery, has a stainless steel probe (length 120
cm), a galvanic cell type oxygen detector, LC display and an
accuracy of 1%. The galvanic cell oxygen detector has a life
of approximately two years. Manufactured by Demista, USA. |
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Cost: |
~$2400 |
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Supplier: |
Demista Instruments |
| Address: |
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| Phone: |
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Fax: |
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| Email: |
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| Internet: |
http://demistainstruments.com/ |
| Digital temperature meter |
| Hand-held digital thermometer and
fast response probe for reading the interior of long compost
windrows very quickly. The digital meter runs on 4 x AAA batteries,
has a range of between -50 to 150 degrees Celsius, is lightweight,
water resistant and has an easy to read LC display. The meter
is accurate to 0.5 degrees Celsius. Probe is stainless steel
with a convenient handle for pushing into windrows and is fully
sealed. The probe is purchased separately to the meter. Probe
lengths available: 91 cm (36"), 122 cm (48") and 152
cm (60"). |
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Cost: |
~$990 |
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Supplier: |
REOTEMP Instrument Corporation,
USA |
| Address: |
-- |
| Phone: |
+1 858 784 0710 |
Fax: |
+1 858 784 0720 |
| Email: |
reotemp@reotemp.com |
| Internet: |
www.reotemp.com |
| Analogue temperature meter |
| Analogue stainless
steel thermometer with a unbreakable hermetically sealed crystal
face for measuring temperatures inside a windrow or static pile.
Has a range of 0 to 93 degrees Celsius. Stem lengths available:
91 cm (36"), 122 cm (48"), 152 cm (60") and 183
cm (72"). |
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Cost: |
~$225-550 |
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Supplier: |
REOTEMP Instrument Corporation,
USA |
| Address: |
-- |
| Phone: |
+1 858 784 0710 |
Fax: |
+1 858 784 0720 |
| Email: |
reotemp@reotemp.com |
| Internet: |
www.reotemp.com |
| Composting bags |
| 500x500 mm bags with
drawstring for composting subsamples of material. |
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Cost: |
-- |
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Supplier: |
Australian Filter Specialists Pty.
Ltd |
| Address: |
19-21 Huntingwood Drive Huntingwood
NSW 2148 |
| Phone: |
(02) 9672 1755 |
Fax: |
(02) 9672 1655 |
| Email: |
afs@ausfilters.com.au |
| Internet: |
www.ausfilters.com.au |
| Solvita Compost Maturity Kit |
| Colour-coded procedure
that gives rapid, reliable results on the degree of maturity
of compost-based products. Very useful for the rapid assessment
of compost maturity prior to blending, product formulation or
sale. Measures carbon dioxide and ammonia concentrations based
on gel colorimetric analysis. Performs six analyses. |
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Cost: |
$198 |
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Supplier: |
Solvita - Woods End Research Laboratory |
| Address: |
-- |
| Phone: |
+1 207 293 2457 |
Fax: |
+1 207 293 2488 |
| Email: |
info@woodsend.org |
| Internet: |
www.solvita.com |
Note that the ROU does not endorse any of these products, this
list is for information only. Prices may vary.
If you are ordering equipment from overseas, ensure that you state
"door to door" delivery to minimise freight costs.
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