Compost & Materials Recovery 

Background

Solid waste processing through composting and materials recovery facilities design has been the pillar of GEA's practice since the firm was founded by Steven M. Gamelsky. Mr. Gamelsky is a dedicated environmental engineer who was involved in significant solid waste composting and recycling projects over a decade ago. Since establishing GEA, work in this area has contributed to the firm's success and reputation for outstanding performance.

Licensed, experienced professional resources are available to achieve client objectives, whether the need is immediate and specific or complex and long-term. All phases of solidwaste management can be addressed from initial planning and feasibility studies, to process evaluation, assessment and permitting, to design and construction management.

Professional staff include civil, environmental, and mechanical engineers, architects, draftsmen and construction inspectors. As a multidisciplinary firm, GEA has available environmental scientists, hydraulic engineers, affiliated analytical laboratories, and computer support services to provide technical support for resolution of related project issues.
Materials Recovery

The growing trend in the United States toward source separation of refuse materials has created the need for effective and properly designed Materials Recovery Facilities which can handle a wide range of materials including: newspaper, OCC, ledger, HDPE, Ferrous metal, aluminum, tin cans, glass, CPO, mixed paper and other plastics and residuals. These facilities must manage the reception, sorting, densification and transport of materials in an efficient manner while producing a densified product to meet specifications. GEA has been successful in matching the level of technology needed including the scale of automation to the facility and project requirements.
MSW Composting

The history of MSW composting in the United States has followed a rocky road of development due to poor compost quality, lack of odor control and competitive economics of landfilling. Mr. Gamelsky, GEA's President, worked for Widdel-Bogert Resources, the forerunner of the present day Bedminster Company which is marketing one of the few successful MSW composting systems. From that experience as Chief Project Designer, Mr. Gamelsky realized that any composting facility must be developed and founded on fundamental composting principles. Design of composting facilities is a challenge that can only be met by a firm grasp of the engineering principles of chemical thermodynamics, microbiology, process kinetics, physics, chemistry and mechanical engineering, backed by necessary field and operations data.
Fundamental Approach

Utilizing this fundamental approach of unifying theory with practice, GEA is able to analyze and design effective composting systems for a wide range of materials including: MSW, sewage sludge, industrial wastes and process residuals.

Process Design

GEA develops a process design based on several factors including: Considerations capacity, waste composition, project economics, site location, environmental sensitivities, potential environmental impacts, product market specifications, traffic and noise considerations, level of technology and automation required, operator skills, storage and handling requirements, odor tolerance, as well as other institutional and legal considerations.

Market Considerations

The design objective for a MRF or a composting Facility is to produce a marketable and saleable product. This simple fact has been lost on many designers whose focus centered primarily on handling and processing refuse and as a result their facilities have suffered. GEA initiates its design with the focus on manufacturing a product utilizing the various waste feedstocks. It then employs sound engineering principles in the design of the process and mechanical equipment to ensure that the facility will meet its intended objectives.


Planning Studies

  • Technology Assessments
  • Economic Studies
  • Environmental Permitting
  • Siting Analysis
  • Environmental Impact Statements
  • Process Evaluations
  • Waste stream assessments
  • Market Studies/Transportation

Materials Recovery Design

  • Material Flow Analysis
  • Building Design
  • Storage Requirements
  • Material Handling Design
  • Sorting Systems
  • Densification Systems
  • Baling Systems
  • Odor Control
  • Instrumentation/Control
  • Vendor Procurement
  • Plans & Specifications
  • Bid Documents

Composting Design

  • Pre-processing considerations
  • Process Design Modeling
  • Aeration Requirements
  • Mixing Requirements
  • Facility Enclosure
  • Materials Handling
  • Civil/Site Work
  • Odor Control
  • Air Quality
  • Use of Amendments
  • Instrumentation/Controls
  • Vendor Procurement
  • Plans and Specifications
  • Bid Documents

Construction Services

  • Construction Inspection
  • Construction Management
  • Start-up Testing
  • Performance Testing
  • As-built drawings
  • Claims Management