Frequently Asked Questions

BiobiN provides a clean green, economic and biosecure management solution for mortalities. The unique aeration and biofiltration system means we can biosecurely store mortalities on site and the BiobiN gets the temperature up to 55 degrees, which effectively manages odour and pathogen control.

Operations Manager, Southern Barramundi

What is the cost of a BiobiN®?

A complete BiobiN® set up with skip and aeration system vary on which size of bin you require and how frequently collection needs to occur (see below). BiobiN® can also be rented on a monthly basis.

i.e. The estimated cost range for the 9 cubic metre BiobiN® system is between $250  – $600 AUD per MONTH.  This cost includes service support for wear and tear of parts.

What is the cost of the Aeration system (biofilter, filter fan and condenser) separate from the bin FOB?

This is an included component in the BiobiN® system.

Assembly / installation – what is the approx. cost to assemble a complete BiobiN® i.e. labour costs, delivery

The system will be delivered in largely assembled condition. Some biofilter media and hose connections are usually all that is required to complete assembly and start using your system. we try to work with locally available materials to minimize this cost.

Ongoing use: How many hours per day is electricity required to power the BiobiN®?

The system runs for approximately half of each day, i.e. 12 hours and consumes approx. 8 kWh in each 24 hour period.  At $0.30 AUD per kWh that is around $2.40 AUD per day

What is the collection of the waste (once the bin is full) and replacement with empty bin costs?

This cost really isn’t translatable from region to region. There is 2 components to generating this costing:

Transport – point to point & return, i.e. your local rate per km x distance x 2, eg $1 per km x 60 kms (disposal point to farm) x 2 for return trip is $120 per bin

Disposal – this is widely variable.  In Australia, $100 per tonne is not uncommon for carcasses.  A 9m3 unit will on average hold 6 tonne, therefore it would be $600

Transport + Disposal = Cost of bin exchange

Repairs and maintenance: Do you have any estimates as to the average yearly or monthly cost of repairs and maintenance?

We generally budget for $800 per annum which includes wear and tear item replacement, filter parts and the occasional fan unit.

Where is the BiobiN® manufactured?

The BiobiN® is manufactured in both Australia & China.  We aim to have it delivered to you in 8 weeks from the time of order. This is dependent on stock levels and other bins on order. It may take 10-12 weeks.

How long does it take to assemble the complete BiobiN® once the parts have arrived?

Once removed from the container, the unit can potentially be operating in 4 hours.

Who do you currently use in China to manufacture and freight a BiobiN® to Australia?

We have several options for the manufacture and freight of the BiobiN® systems.

Are there certain parts of the BiobiN® that commonly require replacing or repairing? If so, how frequent do these parts require repair or replacement?

The most common wear part is the filter cartridge. It is a common type of radial seal filter and is usually available from most truck parts suppliers, similarly for the hoses and clamps. The electrical and fan units are both from global suppliers so they should have distributers in your region.

In any case, if there is ever any issue in suppling parts, we can always supply these components.  Additionally, at the time of order confirmation, we can usually make small variations to suit local suppliers if needed.

Does the BiobiN® smell?

The simple answer to this questions is no, the BiobiN® doesn’t smell. As long as the simple housekeeping rules are followed;
1.    Manage your wet:dry ratio’s.
2.    Don’t leave the lid open
3.    Undertake routine checks

How are the bins emptied while still attached to the pipes?

The pipes disconnect from the bin unit so it get be maneuvered independently of the filter unit.  It the bin unit is required to be transported any distance, plugs are placed into the pipe points to prevent any chance of any material dislodging from inside the bin during transport.

We understand that the carbon added to the bin may be wood chip, cardboard or paper. Is there any specific types of wood chip that must be used or can’t be used?

Any carbon based material is fine. The BIGGEST consideration is that it needs to be dry! Wet material will eventually flood the system.

Are there precise ratios of carbon : waste required? Or is It sufficient to put enough carbon to cover the dead animals, whatever that amount may be?

Nothing precise, keep it simple!  Start with a 1:1 ratio of dry carbon material to wet waste, i.e. poultry.  If you start to see moisture building around the edges or bubbles appearing when the fan is on, increase the dry carbon material to 2 parts and 1 wet organic part.

In your experience, what are the most common issues users face or things they do wrong when using the BiobiN®?

1. Leaving the power off and the lids open, and then it rains.

2. Not putting in any or enough dry material.

These might sound like simple things to do, and they are, but these are the biggest challenges we regularly face.

What ongoing maintenance is required?

Weekly draining of condensate, commonly done by the customer.

3 monthly system check for leaks, cracks, etc., twice yearly filter cartridge change and annual biofilter media change, commonly undertaken by the service provider but can be undertaken by the customer.

How often will the BiobiN® be emptied?

The idea of the BiobiN® is that it commences processing on site and only requires to be emptied when it’s full – which maximises transport efficiencies. This time frame can vary between locations and uses, and can be as often as every week or as long as a year.  Your BiobiN® technologist can determine when yours will need emptying.

What size machine is required to lift the 1 mt. bin?

We recommend a 2 tonne machine but a 1.5 tonne lift rating is the minimum.

How much space do I need?

BiobiN® 4.5 cubic metre minimum clearance layout plan

BiobiN® 9 cubic metre minimum clearance layout plan

Where does the collected material go?

The organic material will usually go to an organic recycling facility. Here, it will be processed into quality compost and mulch products…in fact, it will most likely end up in a garden vegetable patch or growing vegetables you will buy at the supermarket.

Can the end product from the BiobiN® be used without further processing? I understand the answer to this is “no” – large pieces such as bones need to be removed as well as any inorganic matter that has been added to the bin (by mistake or carelessness), but are there any other reasons? Aside from removal of large or inorganic pieces, is the end product otherwise suitable for agricultural use?

As a general rule of thumb, no.  The material can be processed in the BiobiN® for another 4 weeks minimum to get it through to a further stage of completion IF It was loaded correctly through the fill process, HOWEVER this still does not guarantee complete pasteurization of the material.

We ALWAYS recommend emptying all the contents into a controlled area, especially if it is animal waste, and checking moisture and contaminants before then turning the material to heat it up (>55 degrees + time) before reuse anywhere. BiobiN® will always develop a procedure in conjunction with the customer to ensure the best possible outcome for the reuse of material.

What processing is required of composted waste from BiobiN® used by poultry farms before it is suitable for agricultural use? In your experience what is the minimum level of processing required to produce a marketable product?

For unrestricted agricultural use, Australian Standards 4454 base line applies.

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