Somat DeHydrator System (DH)
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of volume and weight reduction
can I expect from a DH alone?
You should be
able to expect a 90% reduction in weight. Volume will be determined on the type
of waste, i.e., large amounts of paper goods vs. mostly food waste. Typical
volume reduction will be in the 70 to 90 percent reduction range.
What kind of volume and weight reduction
can I expect from a SOMAT Pulping System and a DH?
You should
expect a 95% reduction in weight and volume using both units.
How should I use my end product?
You could use
it on the grounds of your establishment, at your residence, offer it to a
composting facility as cover for static pile composting or (worst case) send it
to the landfill. Because the end product is 95% dry, it is very stable and can
be stored (as long as it is not rehydrated) for months with no ill effects.
Also, keep in mind that if you do land apply it, the end product needs to be
tilled into the soil, and it will finish the composting process there.
What type of container is easiest to use
to get the product into on the empty cycle?
We find that a
tote that fits under the discharge chute works the best. Find one that’s easily
handled and able to easily accept your soil amendment.
What power requirements do I need?
Most units are
3 phase 208 volt. Contact Somat Company for spec sheets on specific models.
Are the units mobile?
All units have
casters for easy mobility. We would recommend that the larger units be stationary
as they need to be hard wired.
How should I install a unit?
Your unit
should follow the following guidelines:
- The
unit shall be installed in accordance with national and local wiring regulations
and all applicable codes.
- The
unit MUST be placed at least 8” from the wall.
- DO
NOT pull or alter power cord. Pulling and misuse of the power supply cord can
result in damage to the unit and cause electrical shock.
- Ensure
the electrical cord is properly grounded.
- DO
NOT place any materials on top of unit.
- DO
NOT use water to clean the unit. Use of a stainless steel cleaner and cleaning
cloth are sufficient to wipe down the outside of the unit.
- DO
NOT alter the pre-programmed settings or disassemble the unit without first
contacting Somat Company. Failure to do so may result in a voided warranty.
- Turn
off incoming power to unit and lockout breaker to perform any kind of
maintenance or cleaning.
- DO
NOT open the input door during operation; it can cause odor issues and errors
in the automated control and operation and cause burns from steam.
- Ensure the unit and the area around
the unit is clean. Proper maintenance of the unit is also highly recommended.
- Please have ALL operators read the
Operations Manual to ensure proper understanding of the unit and its operation.
Where should the drain hose go to?
The drain line
should run to any available floor drain. If there is no floor drain available
units can be outfitted from the factory with pump options for elevated drains.
Please contact Somat Company for more information.
Can I add product to the unit during a cycle?
No, by adding
additional waste to the unit during a cycle, the unit will not be able to
generate a dry batch in the given run time. If you must add more waste, you
will need to restart the cycle.
How often should I clean the screen in the unit?
We would
recommend daily.
Is my product actually compost when the cycle is done?
No, this unit
dehydrates and macerates food waste producing a mulch-like end product that is
suitable for use as a soil amendment. The by-product can be considered a
“Sterile Biomass” since it has been sterilized by 180 degree temperatures for
several hours. The by-product will complete the composting process when
introduced into soil and rehydrated.
What do the number displays mean, and is there something
I should be monitoring?
The displays
are for monitoring temperatures and time. They are preset from the factory and
should require no additional input. If the numbers on the display exceed the
programmed set points, the unit will shut down.
My end result seems a bit wet; what should I do?
You would want
to start another cycle, though you will need to check it after 2-3 hours. If
the waste going in was extremely wet, or if the door was opened during
operation, it would delay the original process and result in an unfinished
product.
Can I couple a SOMAT Pulping System with a DH?
Yes, by
coupling systems, you should see a weight and volume reduction of up to 95%.
And you will increase the capacity of a DH by as much as eight times. This is
accomplished by the eight-to-one volume reduction effect of the pulper.
How often should the tank be cleaned?
Typically there
is no cleaning of the tank. Periodic buildup on the auger may need to be
removed.
Is it ok to discharge the product as soon as the timer
says the cycle is up?
No, by
discharging the product as soon as the timer reaches zero, you could be burned
by the steam from the system. It is always best to let the system cool itself
down which prepares the waste for handling.
Is the end product safe to handle?
The product has
reached a temperature of 180° for over 12 hours, meaning all pathogens and
bacteria, and even seeds, have been effectively killed, and your product is now
sterilized.
Do I have to add anything to the unit to aide in the
process?
No additional
additives are required for the DH. If a large greasy batch is going to be run,
leafy greens or cardboard can be added to aide in the absorption of the fats,
oils and greases.
How much drainage can I expect from the machine?
You can expect
up to 10 gallons per 18-hour cycle. This will vary depending on the amount of
moisture in the waste introduced into the DH.
How do I know if my product is safe for soil application?
We would
recommend an analysis by your local agronomist or fertilizer company of both
your soil and the DH by-product you wish to add to it. This analysis will
determine whether or not one will help the other. As you can imagine, the
by-product will vary from site to site depending on what goes into it, so this
is important to maintain a healthy soil.
Really, how full can I fill the unit?
The fill should
not exceed the auger of the unit. By exceeding capacity, you risk running
multiple cycles to complete or damage to the machine and its sensors.
My employees like to open the door on the unit during
processing to see what’s going on; is there anything wrong with this?
Yes, not only
could they be burned from the steam from the unit during processing, but you
will delay the process time of the waste. By doing this, you could make an
18-hour cycle into a 25-hour cycle.
What type of material can go into a DH?
If it’s from
nature, your DH will love it. All organic material and compostables can go into
a DH.
I work in a high-volume restaurant. Sometimes things get
missed when sorting; will it hurt the machine?
Making sure
that silverware does not enter the machine would be best. A random piece here
or there should not hurt the unit; just make sure that the object is taken out at
the end of the cycle.
If I use the soil amendment in my garden, will seeds from
what was processed grow?
Not at all;
during the cycle, the waste is heated to 180° for over 12 hours, killing all
bacteria and plant seeds in the process.
Should I expect some sort of odor?
The DH is a
low-odor device. It effectively manages odor through activated charcoal air
filters and a super-heated exhaust. It will emit a slight “cooking” odor at
times, but you will not find it offensive.
How simple is the unit to operate?
Easy as 1, 2,
3. Fill your unit to the specified fill height, close all your doors, power the
unit, and then, press start.-That simple.
What is the difference between the DH and other similar
units on the market?
The DH does not
require ANY additional products such as wood chips, chemicals, or charcoal to
be added to the waste. It also consumes NO fresh water and does not discharge
any “dirty water” to sanitary. As mentioned above, the only discharge from the
unit is the “Sterile Biomass” and a few gallons of condensate runoff from the
condenser unit.
How much does it cost to produce a soil amendment from
the DH?
We look at an
average of $67.50 per ton of soil amendment. This is based on a rate of ₡.12
per KwH. This cost of kilowatt hours may vary from region to region.
> Learn more about Somat Food Waste Dehydrator