/-/https/www.sciencebuddies.org/cdn/Files/21464/5/sb-logo.png){kind=logo}
/-/https/www.sciencebuddies.org/cdn/Files/21464/5/sb-logo.png){kind=logo}
Hello!
I have a few questions about https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... #procedure. I am trying to recreate this project but some materials are not available where I'm from so I have to substitute some things.
1. For the compost pile, what can I use instead of cow manure and hay?
2. For the brown materials (carbon), can I use 10lbs of egg cartons, 10lbs of dirt, and the other 10lbs would be the substitute for the manure/hay?
3. Can I use 20lbs of potato peelings, 5lbs of eggshells, and 5lbs of teabags for the green materials (nitrogen)?
Thank You!
Decomposing Energy Questions
Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, MadelineB, Moderators
-
deleted-933251
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2020 10:28 am
- Occupation: Student
-
koneill18
- Expert
- Posts: 188
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:22 am
- Occupation: Other Adult
Re: Decomposing Energy Questions
Hi there!
I think it’s completely fine to substitute the materials that you don’t have with materials that are more accessible to you. The key to composting is creating the right mixture of Carbon-rich “brown” and Nitrogen-rich “green” materials.
1. Even though manure is brown, it’s considered a green compost component because it’s a good source of nitrogen. If it’s not available to you, you could substitute it with a different ingredient that is high in nitrogen like used coffee grounds, grass clippings, or other plant cuttings.
2. As long as your egg cartons are made out of paper, they should be a good carbon source. You can replace the hay with another carbon-rich material like dry leaves, wood chips, straw, or shredded paper.
3. If you don’t have 45 lbs. of potato peelings, you can supplement what you have with other fruit and vegetable peelings like apple cores, banana peels, avocado skins, or bits of uncooked vegetables. Tea bags should be fine as well. Although crushed egg shells are a good source of calcium, they don’t contribute any nitrogen to the compost pile, so they’re not the best “green” ingredient.
Once you choose what ingredients you want to add, do a bit of research on them to see how much carbon and nitrogen they have. Every ingredient has a different carbon to nitrogen ratio, so if you substitute some of the ingredients in this experiment with other ingredients, you won’t get the exact same results as you would have if you used the same ingredients. But that’s okay! If you find that your compost isn’t producing a lot of heat, you can try adding more green ingredients to the mixture. Science is all about trial and error, so don’t be afraid to make changes to your compost mixture if you need to!
I hope this helps!
I think it’s completely fine to substitute the materials that you don’t have with materials that are more accessible to you. The key to composting is creating the right mixture of Carbon-rich “brown” and Nitrogen-rich “green” materials.
1. Even though manure is brown, it’s considered a green compost component because it’s a good source of nitrogen. If it’s not available to you, you could substitute it with a different ingredient that is high in nitrogen like used coffee grounds, grass clippings, or other plant cuttings.
2. As long as your egg cartons are made out of paper, they should be a good carbon source. You can replace the hay with another carbon-rich material like dry leaves, wood chips, straw, or shredded paper.
3. If you don’t have 45 lbs. of potato peelings, you can supplement what you have with other fruit and vegetable peelings like apple cores, banana peels, avocado skins, or bits of uncooked vegetables. Tea bags should be fine as well. Although crushed egg shells are a good source of calcium, they don’t contribute any nitrogen to the compost pile, so they’re not the best “green” ingredient.
Once you choose what ingredients you want to add, do a bit of research on them to see how much carbon and nitrogen they have. Every ingredient has a different carbon to nitrogen ratio, so if you substitute some of the ingredients in this experiment with other ingredients, you won’t get the exact same results as you would have if you used the same ingredients. But that’s okay! If you find that your compost isn’t producing a lot of heat, you can try adding more green ingredients to the mixture. Science is all about trial and error, so don’t be afraid to make changes to your compost mixture if you need to!
I hope this helps!
-
deleted-933251
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Mon Oct 12, 2020 10:28 am
- Occupation: Student
Decomposing Energy Questions 2
Hello!
I have more questions about https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... mpost-pile
So for my research, my teacher told me that I have to show an output for this and I'm having difficulties coming up with one. Besides just showing the temperature changes, is there a possible output that could be made from this? For example, something that could make use of the heat energy from the coffee can.
All answers are appreciated, thank you!
I have more questions about https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... mpost-pile
So for my research, my teacher told me that I have to show an output for this and I'm having difficulties coming up with one. Besides just showing the temperature changes, is there a possible output that could be made from this? For example, something that could make use of the heat energy from the coffee can.
All answers are appreciated, thank you!
-
koneill18
- Expert
- Posts: 188
- Joined: Thu Aug 06, 2020 8:22 am
- Occupation: Other Adult
Re: Decomposing Energy Questions
Hello!
That’s a good question. For this experiment, the hot water generated by the compost pile actually is the output. Even though there are systems that can be powered using energy from heat, the hot water is actually a useful resource in itself. Many people around the world have started using the heat generated from compost piles as a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to electricity. The heat coming from a compost pile can be used to heat up water for things like cooking or bathing. Some people have made whole outdoor showers using water heated entirely by compost. Here is a link to an article talking about water heaters that people have made using compost piles and all of the household uses for the water.
https://waldenlabs.com/compost-water-he ... jean-pain/
I think if you include in your project report all the background information on how people are using compost piles as water heaters, you can show that the water temperature in this experiment is a useful output to measure. If you want to elevate the project, you can test out different ingredients in the compost pile and see if certain components cause the pile to generate more heat than other components do. That could be really useful information for people who are trying to use compost to produce enough energy to heat their whole homes!
I hope this helps! Feel free to ask any other questions that you have.
That’s a good question. For this experiment, the hot water generated by the compost pile actually is the output. Even though there are systems that can be powered using energy from heat, the hot water is actually a useful resource in itself. Many people around the world have started using the heat generated from compost piles as a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to electricity. The heat coming from a compost pile can be used to heat up water for things like cooking or bathing. Some people have made whole outdoor showers using water heated entirely by compost. Here is a link to an article talking about water heaters that people have made using compost piles and all of the household uses for the water.
https://waldenlabs.com/compost-water-he ... jean-pain/
I think if you include in your project report all the background information on how people are using compost piles as water heaters, you can show that the water temperature in this experiment is a useful output to measure. If you want to elevate the project, you can test out different ingredients in the compost pile and see if certain components cause the pile to generate more heat than other components do. That could be really useful information for people who are trying to use compost to produce enough energy to heat their whole homes!
I hope this helps! Feel free to ask any other questions that you have.