TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred Components: The composting chamber is constructed as a cylindrical vessel or a fully enclosed covered channel. The air emissions from within the chamber can be controlled. The chamber also includes an internal transport system for conveying composting material from one end to the other in a continuous or bath process. The transport system is based on a generally central shaft, or series of shafts (7) about the center of the chamber having a series of discrete arms (5) that extend into the outer volume of the chamber. The discrete arms are arranged in a helical fashion about the shaft(s) such that when the shaft(s) are rotated, they move the material in one direction or the other along the chamber, depending on the direction of rotation of the shaft(s). The transport system is under the control of a microprocessor based system which records inputs from various probes about the chamber which determine the optimal air speeds as a function of the headspace air temperature carbon dioxide (CO2) content of the air in the chamber such that the CO2 content of the air is maintained at an optimal level. The chamber is also constructed from layer(s) of insulating and structurally sound material. The efficacy of the system relies on controlling the heat naturally produced in the composting process. The chamber may be provided with heat from an additional source. The discrete arms are tines (6) or paddles or other appendages, which are arranged, in a helical fashion about the shaft(s). The transport system is operated by a drive mechanism, such as, electric motor(s) coupled to a reduction gearbox(es). The electric motor is powered by single- or three-phase main electricity or direct current electricity from solar cells. The drive mechanism can also be hydraulic drive system(s). In addition to the air introduced into the mix via the transport system, air is also drawn over the mix in a direction counter to the general flow of the material to avoid re-infection of the composted material by pathogens contained within the processed feed material and to avoid reintroducing moisture into the composted material from steam being conducted by the airflow. The air is removed at the feed end of the chamber, and is either ejected via a fan or ducted via a valve to the external atmosphere or to an odor-controlling device such as a biofilter. The additional air is injected into the composting material through the base of the chamber or through the shaft(s). The feed system can be an auger or a conveyor. The exit system can be auger, conveyor or bin that is regularly emptied via other devices. The system incorporates probes through the exterior of the chamber and extending into the headspace of the chamber, or into the composting mix, in order to measure temperature and carbon dioxide levels within the chamber. The microprocessor based system with data recording capabilities, can be a PLC or a computer.