BioCycle April 2011, Vol. 52, No. 4, p. 55
Grinder On Steroids
Morbark’s new 3800XL Horizontal Grinder has a redesigned reverse-pivot feed system that minimizes space between the feed wheel and the hammermill, which increases the unit’s production capacity and operating efficiency. “It’s like our old Morbark 4600 on steroids,” exclaims Gord Edwards of Windsor Disposal Services. “We’re getting substantially more production with better fuel efficiency. The new remote makes it easy to dial in exactly the speed we need to keep the belt full all the time.” For details, visit www.morbark.com.
Bioplastek 2011 Forum
BioPlastek 2011: Interactive Forum on Bioplastics Today and Tomorrow, is being held June 27-29, 2011 at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York City. More than 40 top-level industry, brand owner/OEM, processor, academic and government leaders from the bioplastics value chain will present at this inaugural forum, providing analyses of their industry. There will be two breakouts on packaging, two on automotive, and one each on textile/nonwovens and emerging durables applications. Joint sessions include Market & Business Strategies, Environmental Issues & Evaluations, Biobased Building Blocks & Processing Technologies, and Biobased “Drop-in” Alternatives to Conventional Petro Resins. A capstone session on “How to Make It Happen” will feature various investment and partnership scenarios for funding bioplastic start-ups and established companies. For agenda and list of exhibitors, visit bioplastek.com.
Compost Manager
“After four years of research and over 15,000 tests, the CMS2010 is being launched in the marketplace,” says Edward Wilkinson of Compost Manager. The Compost Management System is comprised of a multiprobe, barcode scanner, monitoring instrument and software. Measurements are taken of the temperature, moisture, oxygen and CO2 levels. These results are analyzed and then the software suggests optimization steps. The system is designed for open windrow composting. Wilkinson notes that research is being carried out to adapt the package to in-vessel sites. “It already can be used for the maturation phase of those facilities,” he says. Go to www.compostmanager.com.
Stationary Compost Mixers
Patz Corporation introduced two new lines of stationary vertical compost mixers. The 1200 Series single screw mixer is available in four sizes, providing up to 690 cu. ft. of mixing capacity (7,500 to 17,250 lbs. maximum weight, depending on unit size). The 1200 Series is sized to fit in most buildings and other enclosures and has a minimum 30 HP requirement. The new 2400 Series II has twin screws and comes in 810 and 950 cu. ft. sizes, with mixing capacities of up to 1,100 cu. ft. with optional steel side extensions (20,250 to 27,500 lbs. maximum weight). Overlapped sidewall seams provide added tub strength. Both new series feature Patz’s new Vortex Screw to process a variety of materials quickly. Visit www.patzcorp.com.
One Global Tank Company
Engineered Storage Products Company (ESPC) and Columbian TecTank have combined to become CST Storage. “We merged both tank groups together,” says CST’s Steve Rowland. “ESPC focused on glass-fused-to-steel tanks – the Slurrystore and Harvestore – and single and dual membrane covers. Columbian TecTank was a sister company that sold epoxy-coated tanks.” Its BioEnergy Storage Systems has positioned Slurrystore as the tank of choice for digester applications. More information at www.cst-storage.com.
Biogas Agitators And Mixers
SUMA has specialed in biogas, liquid manure and wastewater agitators and mixers since 1957. Equipment is specifically designed for biogas plants and liquid-manure tanks or lagoons. Two digester plants at dairies in Ontario (Owen Sounds and St. Eugene), and a wastewater treatment plant digester in Quebec (Jonquière), have installed SUMA agitators. The facility in Owen Sounds has a 1,500 m3 anaerobic digester with a 500 kW MWM genset and is using the Optimix 3G biogas agitator with Guide Mast. The AD plants in St. Eugene and Jonquière utilize the Giantmix FRS agitator. Visit www.gosuma.com.
