Comparative study of methods of aeration for composting manure slurries.

Abstract

Composting is a simple and economically attractive method to treat and stabilize animal waste slurries. However, a comparison of different methods of aeration for composting under high moisture content (MC) and the influence zones of the aeration pipes have not been reported in the literature. Therefore, a large scale study was conducted to investigate and compare the performance of three modes of aeration, namely natural, passive and forced aeration. A total of 9 piles, 3 replicates for each treatment, were built in trapezoidal shape with a volume of 5.03 m$\sp3$ each and monitored for a period of 90 days. Peat was used as the bulking agent. Initial MC of raw compost was 76%. A total of 233 thermocouples were built and installed in the compost piles to monitor the temperature profiles and distribution. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)