Influence of aeration rate and reactor shape on the composting of poultry manure and sawdust

Abstract

To achieve successful composting, all the biological, chemical, and physical characteristics need to be considered. The investigation of our study was based on various physicochemical properties, i.e., temperature, ammonia concentration, carbon dioxide concentration, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio, organic matter (OM) content, moisture content, bacterial population, and seed germination index (GI), during the composting of poultry manure and sawdust for different aeration rates and reactor shapes. Three cylindrical-shaped and three rectangular-shaped pilot-scale 60-L composting reactors were used in this study, with aeration rates of 0.3 (low), 0.6 (medium), and 0.9 (high) L min −1 kg −1 DM (dry matter). All parameters were monitored over 21 days of composting. Results showed that the low aeration rate (0.3 L min −1 kg −1 DM) corresponded to a higher and longer thermophilic phase than did the high aeration rate (0.9 L min −1 kg −1 DM). Ammonia and carbon dioxide volatilization were directly related to the temperature profile of the substrate, with significant differences between the low and high aeration rates during weeks 2 and 3 of composting but no significant difference observed during week 1. At the end of our study, the final values of pH, EC, moisture content, C/N ratio, and organic matter in all compost reactors were lower than those at the start. The growth rates of mesophilic and thermophilic bacteria were directly correlated with mesophilic and thermophilic conditions of the compost. The final GI of the cylindrical reactor with an airflow rate of 0.3 L min −1 kg −1 DM was 82.3%, whereas the GIs of the other compost reactors were below 80%. In this study, compost of a cylindrical reactor with a low aeration rate (0.3 L min −1 kg −1 DM) was more stable and mature than the other reactors. Implications: The poultry industry is growing in South Korea, but there are problems associated with the management of poultry manure, and composting is one solution that could be valuable for crops and forage if managed properly. For high-quality composting, the aeration rate in different reactor shapes must be considered. The objective of this study was to investigate various physicochemical properties with different aeration rates and rector shapes. Results showed that aeration rate of 0.3 L min −1 kg −1 DM in a cylindrical reactor provides better condition for maturation of compost.

The influence of vermicomposting on photosynthetic activity and productivity of maize (Zea mays L.) crop under semi-arid climate

“…Unfortunately, all these strategies are labor intensive and time-consuming [20][21][22][23]. Traditional composting is cheap and unadorned; however, it causes nutrient losses [24,25].…”

Effects of carbon-based additive and ventilation rate on nitrogen loss and microbial community during chicken manure composting

“…Significantly differences were observed after the first 7 days. As shown in Qasim et al (2019), in the ventilation range of 0.3-0.9 L·min -1 ·kg -1 DM when composting with poultry manure and sawdust, the low aeration rate (0.3 L·min -1 ·kg -1 DM) corresponded to a higher and longer thermophilic phase than did the high aeration rate (0.9 L·min -1 ·kg -1 DM). The CO 2 volatilization was directly related to the temperature profile of the substrate, shown as significant differences in the 2 nd and 3 rd weeks of composting but none in 1 st week.…”

Effects of carbon-based additives and ventilation rate on nitrogen loss and microbial community during chicken manure composting

“…In a previous study, the low aeration rate (0.3 L‧min -1 ‧kg -1 DM) corresponded to a higher and longer thermophilic phase than the high aeration rate (0.9 L‧min -1 ‧kg -1 DM) in the ventilation range of 0.3–0.9 L‧min -1 ‧kg -1 DM [ 31 ]. Some other studies recommended various aeration methods and rates for different raw materials, like 0.5 L‧min -1 ‧kg -1 DM in the composting of chicken manure and sawdust [ 32 ], 0.25 L‧min -1 ‧kg -1 DM in the composting of dairy manure with rice straw [ 33 ], 0.43–0.86 L‧min -1 ‧kg -1 DM in the composting of food waste [ 34 ], etc.…”

“…In a previous study, the low aeration rate (0.3 L�min -1 �kg -1 DM) corresponded to a higher and longer thermophilic phase than the high aeration rate (0.9 L�min -1 �kg -1 DM) in the ventilation range of 0.3-0.9 L�min -1 �kg -1 DM [31]. Some other studies recommended various…”