Decay Flashcards
(8 cards)
What is compost
Decomposed organic matter that is used as a natural fertiliser for plants
What is the rate of decay affected by
T…:
-w… temps make things d… quicker
-as they i… the rate at which e… work at
-if it’s too h… tho the e… can become d…
O… level:
-m… need oxygen to r…
-some microorganisms involved in a… decay however don’t need o…
W… availability:
-decay takes place f… in m… conditions
-as the o… need w… to carry out d…
N… of organisms:
-the m… microorganisms the f… decomposition happens
Temperature:
-warmer temps make things decompose quicker
-as they increase the rate at which enzymes work at
-if it’s too hot tho the enzymes can become denatured
Oxygen level:
-microorganisms need oxygen to respire
-some microorganisms involved in anaerobic decay however don’t need oxygen
Water availability:
-decay takes place faster in moist conditions
-as the organisms need water to carry out decay
Number of organisms:
-the more microorganisms the faster decomposition happens
What is biogas
Mainly made up of methane
How is biogas produced
-lots of different m… are used to produce b…
-they d… plant and animal w… anaerobically, producing m… gas
-s… waste is also used to make b… on a l… scale
-lots of different microorganisms are used to produce biogas
-they decay plant and animal waste anaerobically, producing methane gas
-sludge waste is also used to make biogas on a larger scale
What is biogas made in
A simple fermenter called a digester or generator
Why do biogas generators need to be kept at a constant temperature
To make sure the microorganisms keep respiring
What are the 2 types of biogas generators
-batch generators
-continuous generators
What are batch generators
-make b… in smaller b…
-they are m… loaded with w…
-which is left to d… and the w… products are c… away
-make biogas in smaller batches
-they are manually loaded with waste
-which is left to digest and the waste products are cleared away
