Our composting research integrates microbial degradation kinetics with analysis of heat and mass transfer phenomena to address challenges of high moisture feedstocks, aeration control, nutrient losses, and greenhouse gas emissions.
A texture analyzer at work
Applications range from backyard to farm to industrial scales. A current thrust is the development of an engineering design model based on physical, chemical, and biological processes, using computational fluid dynamics and 3-D visualization tools.
Larger scale experimentation occurs at the campus Organic Materials Processing and Education Center as well the Penn State Mushroom Research Facility (below).
Pilot-scale Composting Bioreactor
Mushroom Substrate Composting Facility
