Frequently Asked Questions
What scope of services do you provide?
While we have exclusive technologies and offer a wide range of products to suit your unique situation, ZWE is more than a technology provider. We offer planning, design, operations services, and more to help take your project from conception to operation. Read more on the full range of services we offer.
How much organic waste can the SMARTFERM® process?
There should be a minimum of 5,000 tons/year for the smallest SMARTFERM system. The system is scalable to fit any size operation above 5,000 tons per year.
How much space is required for a SMARTFERM® system?
The smallest SMARTFERM requires 3,000 square feet for all equipment and scales up from there.
What is the minimum amount of organic waste necessary to produce CNG?
You need a minimum of 10,000 TPY of organic waste to economically generate CNG (between 4,000 and 10,000 tons requires that you generate electricity).
What is the percentage ratio of the waste between green (i.e. yard/agricultural) and food?
SMARTFERM systems can accommodate an approximate 70/30 ratio of either food or green waste.
How much odor is associated with SMARTFERM® ?
There is minimal odor from the SMARTFERM AD process. Odor is controlled via several techniques throughout the process, including enclosed receiving areas with air filtered through biofilters, possible IVC to scrub ammonia, and off gasses vented through biofilters. Exhaust air produced from the shutdown process is oxidized in a biofilter for further odor mitigation. By doing so, the SMARTFERM can fit well into a university, community or corporate campus setting. A receiving bay or enclosed receiving hall can also be added to store the waste until it is ready to be added into the digesters.
What needs to be done with the digestate once it finishes the 28 day IVC cycle in order to prepare it for sale?
The finished compost product meets all Process to Further Reduce Pathogens (PFRP) requirements and is technically classified as finished compost. At the end of this period, after minor screening, compost is ready to bag for retail sales or sold in bulk to end users.
Who will operate the AD site once it is built? Is this a service ZWE offers?
ZWE can provide operation of the facility or train your staff.
Is this technology appropriate for a university?
Yes. In fact, the country’s first dry AD project is operating at a university. SMARTFERM technology offers a number of practical applications for a university setting. Not only does it bring educational institutions closer to their sustainability goals of waste diversion and renewable energy generation, but it serves as an educational tool that can benefit a number of departments. The SMARTFERM also offers flexibility in its ability to expand the system later to meet growing demand for diversion of organics.
