Liquid Compost Reator with Ammonia Emission Control

Posted in: Environment by admin on January 1, 1997 | No Comments

Experiment could be done with pig manure as they were done with cattle manure. The treatment system is interesting as the ammonia emitted from the aeration is treated by a biofilter. The storage system used for the experiment is also interesting as the manure are stored in anaerobic conditions (those conditions are however uncontrolled). The gas emissions from the storage are also treated with another biofilter. No investment and operation costs are given for such installation. Such system needs maintenance and follow up to make sure that it operates correctly for the aeration part and also for the biofiltration.

Quantification of the Ammonia Balance in Fattening Pig Units with Totally Slatted Floors

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The ammonia that is found in the air of the swine buildings comes from the microbial decomposition of the urea that is present in the slurry. Considering that 70% of the protein that is in the feed intake is excreted in the urine and the feces, the link between the protein content of the feed intake and the ammonia evaporation source strength is of prime importance. Experiments were realized under nearly commercial conditions on two groups of pigs and for the 5.3 kg per pig total Kjeldahl-Nitrogen (evaluated using Kjeldahl methodology) that was fed to the pigs during the entire fattening period, 3,7 kg per pig Kjeldahl-Nitrogen was excreted in the slurry, which correspond to 68% of N excreted. Average ammonia emissions were measured and the results showed that for the entire fattening period, the emission was approximately 0.73 kg per pig for the section fully slatted and the emission was 10% lower for partially slatted floor. The nitrogen balance done on the fully slatted section showed that the manure removed from the building contained approximately 3.0 kg Kjeldahl-N per pig. The factors influencing most the ammonia emission was found to be the pH value and the temperature of the slurry, the pig live weight and finally the ventilation flow rate.

The nitrogen flow in the production cycle of the pig production is well presented. The results agree with other experiments realized with other research teams. However no statistical analysis is presented to help analyze the results.

Process for Nutrient Reduction and Disinfection of Manure

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This pilot plant show interesting results about nutrients separation in the solids part of the manure. The raw manure concentration has to be increased in order to obtain a permanent disinfection and a good efficiency of the nitrogen separation. In areas where manure is produce in excess to the soil and crop fertilizing needs this process is very interesting. However the economics around the whole process are not presented, but the costs are probably high as many operations are performed (mechanical separation, aerobic treatment, scrubbing, centrifugation, hauling to and from the plant).

Nutrient Characterization of Stored Liquid Hog Manure.

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The ISCO 3700 Automatic Sampler Model Number 68-3700-001design for waste water sampling has been used in this study and proved to be a valuable tool for manure sampling in storage for consultants or researchers. Sampling at different depths and locations in the storage facility can be quickly done and processed in order to obtain an accurate measure of the nutrient concentrations. Important differences were obtained from one storage farm to the other therefore, individual sampling should be done for each farm. Sampling in mid-depth generally gave results that were representative of the whole storage.

Manure Storage Safety

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The purpose of this Engineering practice is to present known practices on manure storage and handling so hazards of manure gases to humans and livestock and potential drownings in storage facilities are minimized. The effect on humans and livestock of different gases such as hydrogen sulphide, methane, ammonia and carbon dioxide are presented with threshold levels. Safety measures, equipments and designs are also suggested.

Evaluating On-Farm Manure Storage Covers for Odor Control

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Air samples were collected from manure storage sites on varying locations throughout Minnesota. Odor was measured using standardized olfactormetry, and hydrogen sulfide measured using colormetric tubes. Preliminary data showed varying degrees of effectiveness in eliminating odor for locations stuidied.

Biofilter/Wetscrubber Combinations for the Reduction of Ammonia, Odour and Dust Emissions of Pig Fattening Houses

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Biological waste air purification from a pig-fattening house was tested with the use of a Biofilter/wetscrubber combination (BWC). The results showed that when the biofilter material was sprayed with tap water at an intensity of more than 50 l/m2 per day an efficiency of 90% was obtained in ammonia reduction for the overall BWC. When the biofilter was sprayed with the scrubbing liquid of the wetscrubber, the efficiency decreased to 50% and if no liquid is sprayed on the filter material, the efficiency goes as low as 13%. It is clear that the spraying of biofilter is essential for ammonia emission reduction. The BWC reduced dust emissions to as much as 80%. The air quality was also measured to verify the BWC treatment for odour reduction. However conclusions could not be drawn from olfactometric analysis because strong self-odour resulted from the filter material of BWC. The total costs of for the tested BWC range between DM 20.80 and DM 22.90 / fattened animal per year (14 to 15 U.S.$). Before doing the investment in the use of BWC other management methods should be considered and optimized (for example: feeding, manure storage).

This system is not simple and is quite expensive. The air coming from the livestock building is scrubber by spraying a mix of tap water (added to compensate for the evaporation) and recycled sludge (the sprayed liquid is being pump and sprayed again) and this air goes through the biofilter that is installed on the top of the scrubbing room. The liquid and the biofilter material have to be disposed and replaced at a certain time and this doesn’t seem to be considered in the costs.
1DM = 0.7942 $CAN (02/14/1998)

Development of a Dynamic Olfactometer Lab

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Quite interesting information are given on olfactometry, the apparatus, the panel selection and training, the sampling procedures and the evaluation of those samples.

Desodorisation du lisier de porc par le procede de biofiltration sur support BIOSORmc (Swine manure deodorization by BIOSOR TM biofilter)

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A pig farm has been the site of testing of pilot-scale biofilters of 1 m3 and 2 m3 to optimize the BIOSOR TM process. The swine manure going through the BIOSOR TM biofilter is deodorized and treated. The organic bed is made of wood chips, peatmoss and shredded bark. The swine manure is decanted; the liquid part goes to the biofilter and the sludge part is kept in a decanter-digester. BIOSOR TM biofilter removes 95% of the polluting load of the liquid part of the manure and 95% of the odor load (for part of the ventilation air is treated, from the storage, from the transportation and the spreading).

This is an interesting technology but it needs improvement to be integrated easily in the agricultural practices. The digested manure (decanted part) has to be spread in the field the using manure applicator and for now, the treated liquid part has also to be spread because its treatment is not complete. This liquid cannot be directly disposed in a creek because of its remaining pollution load. The liquid and sludge part has to be stored until spreading can be done duplicating storage facilities. Work is now done to complete the treatment of the liquid part.

Present concerns before it's too late

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Roelof Heinen, president of the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties, says that municialities should define well the manure management and the required ventilation of the farm building, also understand well the issues and cover all the concerns around land uses in their areas. Establishing the rules well help the developpers decide if their project will be economically viable respecting thoses rules and their proejct will be done right from the start.
One of the first Municipal District, the Municipal District of Kneehill, in Three Hills Alta, sat down their development rules considering the provincial code of practice and the expertise it gave it. Alex Cunningham from the MD recommands environmental sensitivity analysis for all new or expansion projects. MD also fixed requirements regarding separation distances and the type of production for hog, the building has to be at least 457m from the nearest residence not occupied by the owner of a farm employee. Minimum distances have to be respected for manure spreading unless another arrangement is done in a written agreement obtained from the adjacent landowner. Drainage plans for the farm have to be done by professional engineers and the swine building can’t be located in a flood-prone area. To make sure that the code is respected, an inspection done by the agriculture and environment department has to be done one year after the start of the operations.

The need for well defined rules is obvious for the farmers and also the MD. Bases are known for projects evaluation and also operations follow up, so both parties can make their decisions. Using a provincial code makes the rules even more clear on what considerations were taken when the legislation was passed. The opponents know the rules in their area and cannot easily lobby for very restraining bylaws.