Ohio State University Fact Sheet

Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering

590 Woody Hayes Dr., Columbus, Ohio 43210

Worksheet 2. Swine Composting Worksheet For Bins

AEX-713_w2-97

Step 1. Calculate primary and secondary bin volumes.
Primary bin volume =______________ x 20 =______________ Cu ft
                   Lbs death loss/day
Secondary bin volume = primary bin volume =______________ Cu ft
Step 2. Specify bin wall height and calculate bin floor areas.
Bin wall height =______________ ft
Primary bin floor area =______________ Cu ft/ ______________ ft =______________ Sq ft
                       primary bin volume     bin wall height
Secondary bin floor area = primary bin floor area =______________ Sq ft
Step 3. Select bin size, calculate bin floor area and number of bins needed (at least 2 
primary bins are required).
Bin size (circle size from list below, or enter inside dimensions): _______ x _______
Typical bin dimensions: 10' x 10'    10' x 12'    10' x 14'    10' x 16'
                                     12' x 12'    12' x 14'    12' x 16' 
        
        Make sun bin dimensions match the capabilities of your equipment.
Trial bin floor area =______________ ft x ______________ ft =______________ Sq ft
                         bin width          bin length
                         
        Bin area should fall between 100 and 200 square feet.
Number of primary bins =______________ Sq ft/ ______________ Sq ft =______________ bin(s) 
                          primary bin            trial bin 
                           floor area            floor area
       
        Always round up to the next whole number (i.e. 2.1 bins = 3 bins) or
        increase the bin size and repeat Step 3 to this point.
Number of secondary bins = number of primary bins =______________ bin(s)
        Alternatively, 1 secondary bin can be used for every 2 primary bins 
        if finished compost is utilized every 90 days (i.e. finished compost
        is not stored in bins). 
                      
                      
Number of additional bins (extra bin is recommended for sawdust storage) =_________ bin(s)
Total number of bins =_________ + _________ + _________	=_________ bins
                       #primary  #secondary  #additional
                         bin        bins         bins