Compost heating system for the hot water preparation

Using energy that is generated during decomposition processes in organic matter, is the fundamental theme of this thesis. While the following research succeeds to present the possibility of heat recovery using a compost heater, it also introduces composting in the context of ecology and global warming. The work analyses biochemical processes taking place in the decomposition of biomass, and explains the thermomechanical principles of heat transfer in the compost heater. The aim of the practical section of this work is to evaluate the measured data and verify the functionality of the compost heater assembled in the pilot experiment. The results confirm the compost heater is able to deliver the required power. However, its lifetime is closely dependent on the conditions of the compost environment. A key factor is not only a suitably chosen mixture for composting but also its thermal insulation. In the final section, examples of specific case studies based on the use of biomass for energy purposes, are presented