Effect of granular porous media on the composting of swine manure.
This study investigated the feasibility of a bulking agent of granular porous media (GPM) for the composting of swine manure. Two lab-scale composting reactors were operated to evaluate the general performances and maturity parameters using GPM made of wastes from the Portland cement manufacturing processes as an alternative bulking agent. The overall volatile solid (VS) removal was 38.5% (dry basis). During the experiments, moisture content ranged between 41% and 53%, ensuring feasibility of microbial activity in composting. Cured compost showed proper maturity and low phytotoxicity, despite the slight decreases of CO2 production and VS removal at the second batch operation. Various physico-chemical parameters of the cured compost met the regulatory standards reported elsewhere. The pH, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, ammonia nitrogen and soluble organic carbon (SOC) of the cured compost were significantly correlated to the germination index (GI) using the seeds of Chinese cabbage and lettuce, indicating the progressive biodegradation of phytotoxins as well as organic matter. Consequently, the results obtained in this study demonstrate that GPM could contribute to the environmentally friendly and economical composting of problematic swine manure as a recyclable bulking agent.
Kim
Ku-Yong
KY
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, 373-1 Guseong-dong, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-701, Republic of Korea.
Kim
Hyun-Woo
HW
Han
Sun-Kee
SK
Hwang
Eung-Ju
EJ
Lee
Chae-Young
CY
Shin
Hang-Sik
HS
D000818:Animals; D019149:Bioreactors; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000032:analysis; D004867:Equipment Design; D007700:Kinetics; D008372:Manure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D009930:Organic Chemicals / Q000032:analysis; D016062:Porosity; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D019279:Resin Cements; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis; D013552:Swine
D008372:Manure; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D019279:Resin Cements; D012987:Soil; D002245:Carbon Dioxide