[Jim T]

I have a hot bed made from what is a compost heap (layers of horse poo and grass cuttings) covered with multipurpose compst.
It gets real hot, eg 45 Centigrade.
What is the danger of self combustion :?: Might there be methane gas produced :?:

[WG.]

I reckon methane is mainly produced under anaerobic conditions.  Check with a biochemist  

[Aunt Sally]

   

[richyrich7]

Here have a look at this ! Can't get my head around it this time of night you might have more luck Jim, but I think your temp would have to double to get spontaneous combustion tho' Be good fun if it did  

[Jim T]

I reckon methane is mainly produced under anaerobic conditions.  Check with a biochemist  

  Right Dave, so I've discovered that one of the reasons for turning the compost heap is to maintain aerobic conditions.
And then there should be no methane and I can tell my wife to stop worrying about the plot blowing up  

[Jim T]

Here have a look at this ! Can't get my head around it this time of night you might have more luck Jim, but I think your temp would have to double to get spontaneous combustion tho' Be good fun if it did  

 :roll: Wow Richy, Thanks a million. I'll study that tomorrow :!:
 :idea: In the meantime, how did you make that luvley flame :?:
Jim

[shaun]

what you got growing in this heap jim is it still melons ?

[Jim T]

what you got growing in this heap jim is it still melons ?

hi Shaun, one melon survived out of 6 seeds.
I didn't think to put slug pellets down until the other 5 had disappeared.
So we ate a melon and have planted the seeds -- we'll see what hapens

[Beanzie]

Yes you will get a small amount of methane. In fact a well known waste company "Shanks" actually produce commercial amounts of Methane from their landfill sites.

[WG.]

Yes you will get a small amount of methane. In fact a well known waste company "Shanks" actually produce commercial amounts of Methane from their landfill sites.

under anaerobic conditions

[gregmcalister]

This is right up my street.....

Aerobic biodegradation is the breakdown of organic contaminants by microorganisms when oxygen is present. In the case of composting the oxygen would be gained from the surrounding air.  If the degradation is allowed to reach its full potential the result will be largely carbon dioxide and water as the final product.

Anaerobic biodegradation is slightly different in that it is the breakdown of organic contaminants by microorganisms when oxygen is not present.  In theory the centre of the compost heap may develop anaerobic conditions if it is not turned regularly.  The anaerobic bacteria use nitrate, sulfate, iron, manganese, and carbon dioxide and break down organic chemicals into smaller compounds, often producing carbon dioxide and methane as the final products. In some instances hydrogen sulphide hay also be produced, giving a characteristic rotten egg smell.  

Basically the size of an average compost heap will make it too small to produce methane in quantities which would become explosive in air - around 5%.  The size of a landfill site and the fact that it is covered in a cap of clay and soil (excluding air) allows anaerobic conditions to develop.  Furthermore the sheer volume of waste material in most landfills produces a far larger amount of methane than could ever be achieved in a compost heap hence why it can be used comercially.

[wellingtons]

... the things you learn on here.

I'm just grateful if my compost heap gets warm to the touch!!

[richyrich7]

... the things you learn on here.

I'm just grateful if my compost heap gets warm to the touch!!

I'd be grateful if the blooming bee's that have taken up home in mine would move on!

[shaun]

i have a wasps nest in one of my heaps there ace  

[jack russell]

dont know if its ever been mentioned before,  but

ant powder applied to wasps nest will kill it in under two hours

there you go

cheers

jr