Case Study: Dust Control Conditions Compost and Reduces Dust Particles

Composting Dust Control

“We run the DustBoss 24/7 to mature our compost.

It does a great job of controlling dust and wetting the compost piles without over-saturating the material."

- Lenny Neal
Kurtz Brothers

Like many compost producers, Kurtz Brothers Composting had been spraying sprinklers or fire hoses to condition their compost piles.

Although this is a standard practice in the industry, overall it isn’t very effective. Not only is it labor-intensive, it often creates mixed results in the final quality of the product.

With 12 locations, Kurtz is the largest largest mulch and composting company in the US state of Ohio.They called on DustBoss for a more cost effective alternative to traditional composting strategies.

An innovative approach to conditioning compost

As a leader in the composting industry, Kurtz recognized that dust suppression technology would not only help suppress dust at the composting site, but also improve the quality of their compost. The elements of quality dust suppression equipment are similar to those required in an effective composting tool.

"We can cover a much larger area with the fine water mist by utilizing the oscillation feature, especially when compared to a stationary sprinkler.”

- Lenny Neal
Kurtz Brothers

Filling this need is the DustBoss DB-60, a fully automatic high pressure misting system designed specifically for dust control. The oscillating ducted fan features 30 nozzles developed to atomize droplets to the optimum size for dust suppression—between 50 and 200 microns—and also ideal for wetting the compost piles without creating large puddles of standing water.

With automatic oscillation and a powerful 25 HP motor generating 30,000 CFM, the unit has a 200-foot throw that can cover 21,000 square feet of area. The high-volume design includes an internal booster pump that delivers 150 PSI of pressure from a 2" supply hose.

Conditioning compost with a dust control method

Dust Suppression at Compost FacilityKurtz Brothers decided to test the effectiveness of the DustBoss DB-60 at a 100-acre site where over 300,000 yards of compost are processed each year.

There was an immediate improvement in air quality and, within a few days, they could also see a considerable change in the quality of the compost piles. The misting action of the DB-60 mitigated dust at the compost site, all the while providing an essential ingredient to the composting process—water.

This multi-faceted solution helps darken the compost and aids in the maturation of the product by improving the natural microbial action. The DustBoss technology helped the composting piles remain in an aerobic state, preserving the quality of the final product.

The previous method of spraying a hose to mature the pile oversaturating the material and promoting an anaerobic state which is detrimental to the composting process.

“We run the DustBoss 24/7 to mature our compost,” Lenny Neal of Kurtz Brothers said. “It does a great job of controlling dust and wetting the compost piles without over-saturating the material. We can cover a much larger area with the fine water mist by utilizing the oscillation feature, especially when compared to a stationary sprinkler.”

CUSTOMER
Kurtz Brothers Composting

LOCATION
Groveport, OH (US)

CHALLENGE
Enhance the quality of the compost material by maintaining better conditions within the piles and reduce dust at the production site to improve air quality.

SOLUTION
In addition to remediating dust at the production site, the DustBoss DB-60 proved to be a suitable solution for improving the quality of the compost pile. The portable ducted fan design features a 25 HP motor that generates 30,000 CFM of air volume and variable oscillation capable of covering 21,000 square feet of area from a fixed position.

RESULTS
Kurtz Brothers had been spraying the compost piles to mature the material, but was not satisfied with the results. The oversaturated compost material made it difficult to achieve and maintain an aerobic state, reducing the quality of the compost. Lenny Neal of Kurtz Brothers is pleased to report an improvement in air quality and a marked enhancement to the quality of the compost piles with the use of the DB-60.

Composting Dust Control

“We run the DustBoss 24/7 to mature our compost.

It does a great job of controlling dust and wetting the compost piles without over-saturating the material."

- Lenny Neal
Kurtz Brothers

Like many compost producers, Kurtz Brothers Composting had been spraying sprinklers or fire hoses to condition their compost piles.

Although this is a standard practice in the industry, overall it isn’t very effective. Not only is it labor-intensive, it often creates mixed results in the final quality of the product.

With 12 locations, Kurtz is the largest largest mulch and composting company in the US state of Ohio.They called on DustBoss for a more cost effective alternative to traditional composting strategies.

An innovative approach to conditioning compost

As a leader in the composting industry, Kurtz recognized that dust suppression technology would not only help suppress dust at the composting site, but also improve the quality of their compost. The elements of quality dust suppression equipment are similar to those required in an effective composting tool.

"We can cover a much larger area with the fine water mist by utilizing the oscillation feature, especially when compared to a stationary sprinkler.”

- Lenny Neal
Kurtz Brothers

Filling this need is the DustBoss DB-60, a fully automatic high pressure misting system designed specifically for dust control. The oscillating ducted fan features 30 nozzles developed to atomize droplets to the optimum size for dust suppression—between 50 and 200 microns—and also ideal for wetting the compost piles without creating large puddles of standing water.

With automatic oscillation and a powerful 25 HP motor generating 30,000 CFM, the unit has a 200-foot throw that can cover 21,000 square feet of area. The high-volume design includes an internal booster pump that delivers 150 PSI of pressure from a 2" supply hose.

Conditioning compost with a dust control method

Dust Suppression at Compost FacilityKurtz Brothers decided to test the effectiveness of the DustBoss DB-60 at a 100-acre site where over 300,000 yards of compost are processed each year.

There was an immediate improvement in air quality and, within a few days, they could also see a considerable change in the quality of the compost piles. The misting action of the DB-60 mitigated dust at the compost site, all the while providing an essential ingredient to the composting process—water.

This multi-faceted solution helps darken the compost and aids in the maturation of the product by improving the natural microbial action. The DustBoss technology helped the composting piles remain in an aerobic state, preserving the quality of the final product.

The previous method of spraying a hose to mature the pile oversaturating the material and promoting an anaerobic state which is detrimental to the composting process.

“We run the DustBoss 24/7 to mature our compost,” Lenny Neal of Kurtz Brothers said. “It does a great job of controlling dust and wetting the compost piles without over-saturating the material. We can cover a much larger area with the fine water mist by utilizing the oscillation feature, especially when compared to a stationary sprinkler.”

Condition Your Compost Today!

Receive a FREE quote and talk to a specialist today to condition compost!

Get A Quote

More on BossTek

DB-45 Surge® delivers unrivaled precision, versatility for dust suppression

By Brooke Carlson | February 28, 2024

In response to input from customers across the demolition and bulk material handling sectors, the leader in atomized mist technology has introduced a powerful new mobile mid-sized dust control cannon.  The DustBoss® DB-45 Surge® is the next iteration of the popular Surge series featuring an innovative pressurized center nozzle paired with the industry-proven fan and

Asbestos Dust: How to Reduce Health Risks Not Just Found in Construction

By Brooke Carlson | December 7, 2023

Many people don’t realize that asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has been mined and applied for different uses by humans for several millennia.  With tough fibers, items containing asbestos were found to be resistant to heat, electricity, and corrosion.  In Northern Europe, clay pots dating back to 2500 BC contained asbestos to strengthen

6 Ways Fugitive Dust Control Can Help Your Bottom Line

By Brooke Carlson | October 6, 2023

Justifying the purchase of any equipment should be accompanied by a real-world assessment of how it impacts the bottom line. If the goal is improving air quality from potentially harmful fugitive dust emissions in workplaces and communities, then investing in a mist cannon is an excellent consideration. The compliance and legal exposures are enough to

Silica dust exposure is dangerous: Here’s how OSHA / MSHA can help protect

By Brooke Carlson | September 6, 2023

In 2023, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced new rules regarding Respirable Crystalline Silica (RCS) dust emissions, marking a major adjustment to how to address the top silica dust exposure hazards in the workplace from ports to mines to construction sites.[1] This quickly follows a similar announcement by the U.S. Mining Safety

How To Create an Effective Dust Management Plan

By Brooke Carlson | April 20, 2023

A dust management plan (DMP) is very specific to the industry and application. For example, a quarry’s needs may look vastly different from that of a building demolition site. First off, they produce a disproportionate volume of dust and often operate in contrasting environments (rural vs. urban).  Each application produces varying types of dust and

Controlling Dust for a Hospital Demolition Protects Patients and Students

By Brooke Carlson | March 21, 2023

As the leader in dust control technology, BossTek® was enlisted to help the Methodist University Hospital (MUH) in Memphis, TN prepare for a $275 million-dollar facility upgrade by controlling dust emissions during the demolishing of its old facility on the University of Tennessee campus.  The contractor, DT Specialized Services (DTSS), employed the DustBoss® DB-60 Fusion™

Subscribe and Stay Up-to-Date!

Receive a monthly newsletter keeping you up-to-date on the latest in dust and odor control.

Subscribe