The Ecopans composting machine, characterised by a double chamber with internal movement arms, is entirely watertight as it consists of a single, fixed structure with no joints, which means that there are no liquid spills. Rotary chamber composting systems, on the other hand, can lead to leaks or drips at the connection point between the fixed and the rotating part. The leachate generated by the organic material is capable of corroding the seals at the connection points of rotating drum machines, generating inevitable liquid spills outside. In fact, rotating drum machines are always equipped with an external leachate collection tray, demonstrating that manufacturers themselves are aware of this limitation and justify the presence of these trays by calling them “safety trays for accidental spills”. Leakage of leachate undoubtedly creates sanitation problems and, consequently, technical interventions, through to the replacement of the entire drum.

In the Ecopans composting machines, the internal mechanical arms are made with state-of-the-art laser cutting, and their trapezoidal structure favours penetration into the biomass as well as preventing waste and biodegradable bags from getting caught in the blades. This system is guaranteed to turn the material with maximum efficiency with as little effort as possible; these features eliminate any possibility of internal breakage of the arms. Handling the material with internal arms increases the surface area of exposure of the biomass to oxygen and facilitates mixing with the structuring material. For these reasons, it is evident that the material inside the composting machine will be better amalgamated than a material treated with a rotary drum machine that cannot, by its nature, guarantee the penetration of oxygen into all parts of the biomass, which will consequently be uneven and compacted.

Non-programmable continuos flow unloading

In the double chamber composting machine, the transfer of the material from the first to the second chamber and the final unloading of the compost take place fully automatically via external augers, without any manual intervention by the operator, and can also be programmed. In single-chamber and rotating drum composters, the material is entirely in a single drum in which the newly placed material mixes with the material that has already undergone initial maturation and this, in addition to causing a slowdown in the composting reactions, also causes difficulties in the forward feed of the material that is compacted. The discharge nozzle is positioned at the top, so it functions as an overflow, the drum, by rotating, discharges the material when it internally reaches a level of about ¾ of the drum; with this system it is not guaranteed that completely composted material is discharged, as freshly inserted waste may also be discharged.

Automatic unloading at a height suitable for storage in skips

Unloading at a height suitable for small containers

In Ecopans composters, the compost is discharged automatically via an auger placed at a suitable height for unloading either into containers or, for larger capacity machines, into large bins specially designed for compost storage. The discharge auger of Ecopans machines also reaches heights of about 3 metres, to allow easy unloading even inside roll-off skips. The competition, on the other hand, has discharge openings placed at a height that only allows the filling of small 600-700 litre containers.

In Ecopans composting machines, the material remains for 60 days (30 in the first chamber and 30 in the second chamber), while in rotary drum machines, it remains for only 30-35 days. In Ecopans technology, in addition to better processing given the internal handling organs, there is also double the processing time compared to single-chamber composters. For these reasons, on Ecopans composting machines, the output material will have reached a higher biological stability, and therefore, can be stored for less time before use without generating odours or fluid leaks, as can happen with compost that has been processed for less time.

Filling in Ecopans composters is about 60 percent of the volume, while that of single-chamber composters exceeds 90 percent. It is clear that a lower fill ensures better oxygenation, whereas with an overfill, the material is crammed in, there is not enough space for movement and, as a result, oxygen cannot permeate within the biomass. In Ecopans technology, the correct filling of the chambers, combined with the larger volume and the 60-day composting cycle guarantee the best conditions for the correct composting reactions.

In Ecopans composting machines, to avoid unnecessary energy expenditure, the heating system is only activated when outside temperatures are very cold. The internal turning system with mechanical arms, the insulation of the structure, as well as the colouring of the structure itself facilitate the natural reaching of 55°C and holding for at least three consecutive days to ensure sterilisation of the mass.