Innovations in composting pig manure

Composting manure on farm can emit large quantities of ammonia and smell. This thesis focuses on improving the compost process by analysis of the process control, the feed composition and the bed structure. A low cost solution to the ammonia emission was developed. By composting at low oxygen concentration the ammonia emissions can be reduced with up to 78%. In order to optimise the feed mixture, an oxygen uptake measurement was modified so that the oxygen uptake rate of feed material can be measured on farm. A conceptual model of how the degradation can be predicted from the initial hydrolysis rate is presented. With these tools, the feed composition can be optimised. The analysis of the bed structure revealed the weakness of the compost bed’s structure at higher temperatures, was more important than the initial porosity. Finally, the results of this thesis are combined and it is shown how the acquired insight can be used to optimise the composting process.

Bibliographic Details

Main Author:	Rudrum, D.P.
Other Authors:	Rulkens, Wim
Format:	Doctoral thesis biblioteca
Language:	English
Subjects:	ammonia, composting, composts, innovations, pig manure, pollution, quality, reduction, ammoniak, compost, compostering, innovaties, kwaliteit, reductie, varkensmest, verontreiniging,
Online Access:	https://research.wur.nl/en/publications/innovations-in-composting-pig-manure
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