Two laboratory-scale experiments were carried out in this study to determine the effect of slurry solids content on aeration efficiency and the odour generation potential for the treated slurry during post-aeration storage. Pig slurry with four total solids levels (05, 10, 20, and 40%) were used for both experiments. In the first experiment, the slurry was aerated and the oxygen transfer coefficient (OTC) for each solids level was determined. When the solids content increased from 05 to 40%, a reduction in OTC from about 059 to 015 min1 was observed. However, no statistically significant differences in OTC were found between slurry with a 05% and 10% total solids content and between slurry with a 20% and 40% total solids content, while the difference was significant between these two solids groups. In addition to OTC, the oxygen-holding capacity of the aerated manure decreased significantly with increasing slurry solids content. In the second experiment, slurry with the same four solids categories was contained in Plexiglas columns and aerated at a
dissolved oxygen level of 1mg l1 for 15 days. After aeration, the slurry was left in the columns to simulate long-term storage (180 days). The removal rates of volatile fatty acids (VFA), an odour indicator, by aeration were 98, 96, 67, and 31% for total solids content of 05, 10, 20, and 40%, respectively. During the entire storage period, the VFA concentrations for slurry with solids contents of 05% and 10% were consistently lower than 230 mg l1, indicating that the chance for offensive odour to return was moderate. In contrast, the slurry in the two upper solids categories showed VFA levels consistently higher than 230mg l1 throughout the 180 day storage period. At the end of the storage, the odour detection threshold values were 531, 708, 812, and 1627 for slurry with solids content from 05 to 40%.
You must be logged in to post a comment.