course is intended for Environmental, Civil, Construction, Water Resources, and other engineers whose job description requires a comprehensive knowledge of fundamental composting principles.
Composting is the controlled aerobic decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms into a stable, humus-like soil amendment. The processes used in composting occur in nature, but systems can be designed and managed to enhance and accelerate the process. The by-product of composting consists of the biomass of dead and living microorganisms, undegradable raw material, and stable by-products of decomposition. Compost is an organic soil conditioner that has been sufficiently stabilized to minimize or eliminate unpleasant odors, substantially reduce or eliminate viable pathogens and weed seeds, facilitate storage and handling without attracting insects and vectors, and provide plants with nutrients that become available throughout the growing season.
Topics: Definition of compost and composting Composting in the United States General procedures and principles of composting Design of compost mixtures Components of compost mix Typical raw materials Determination of the compost recipe Monitoring and parameter adjustment Temperature, Odor management, Moisture, Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide Monitoring equipment, Odor generation, additives, inoculums, starters Pathogens, Bioaerosols, and other health risks of a composting Aeration requirements Analysis of raw materials and compost Compost quality and stability Comparison of composting methods Compost facility design, and Operational costs Material handling and monitoring Operations after completion of composting Compost end use and Marketing considerations Dead animal composting
Dr. Harlan Bengtson is an online PDH course provider of continuing education courses for professional engineers. Dr. Bengtson is a graduate of Iowa State University with B.S. and M.S. degrees and of the University of Colorado with a PhD. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Missouri. Dr. Bengtson has spent 30 years in engineering education in teaching and administrative positions, including six years as Dean of Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Dr. Harlan H. Bengtson, PE 33 Grainey Drive Glen Carbon, IL 62034 Phone: (618) 406-6892 E-mail: hnkbengtson@yahoo.com PROFESSIONAL PROFILE Dr. Bengtson is a graduate of Iowa State University with B.S. and M.S. degrees and of the University of Colorado with a PhD. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in Missouri. He has spent 30 years in engineering education in teaching and administrative positions, including six years as Dean of Engineering at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. His areas of expertise are environmental engineering, hydrology and hydraulics, engineering science and renewable energy systems. He has done regular consulting work while holding the academic positions. Prior to entering academia, Dr. Bengtson worked for Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing as a Product Development Engineer and for E. I. duPont deNemours as a Process Development Engineer. Dr. Bengtson has authored numerous publications, presentations and technical reports. He is currently active as a freelance technical writer, author of continuing education courses for Professional Engineers, and is the founder of www.engineeringexceltemplates.com and www.EngineeringExcelSpreadsheets.com, sites with the objective of providing inexpensive, easy to use Excel spreadsheets for a variety of engineering calculations.
