Manure Characteristics Research Articles

Effects of various pyrolysis conditions and feedstock compositions on the physicochemical characteristics of cow manure-derived biochar

Pyrolysis, as a thermal decomposition process and environment-friendly technology, can be used for the safe treatment of cow manure. In this paper, the effects of pyrolysis conditions on the properties of biochar derived from different types of cow manure (i.e., fresh cow manure, flushing cow manure, and anaerobic fermentation residues) were studied using slow pyrolysis methods. The properties of feedstocks, thermal decomposition, and biochar were analyzed using elemental analysis, coarse fiber determination, TG–FTIR, ICP–MS, FTIR, XRD, and SEM–EDS. Results showed that the cow manure-derived feedstocks were rich in total organic C (>37%) and had no heavy metal risk. According to the results of TG–FTIR, pyrolysis produced more residual solids, CO, CH4, and NH3 and less CO2 than combustion. The factors affecting alkalinity, calorific value, adsorption capacity, and surface functional group properties of cow manure-derived biochar in order of effectiveness were as follows: pyrolysis temperature > manure characteristics > heating rate > residence time. In general, increasing the temperature from 300 °C to 700 °C increased the pH (8.05–11.74) and C content (45.75%–49.64%) of fresh cow manure biochar and decreased the yield (62.17%–39.82%), nutrient content (N + P + K = 6.90%–5.64%), iodine adsorption capacity (269–96 mg g−1), aromaticity, and polarity. The biochar derived from flushing cow manure and anaerobic fermentation residues had similar C content (>48%), alkalinity (pH > 10), calorific value (>20000 J g−1), stability, and polarity. Fresh cow manure biochar had higher nutrient recovery (6.6%) and iodine adsorption capacity (215 mg g−1) than others. Compared with flushing cow manure and anaerobic fermentation residues, the pyrolysis of fresh cow manure reduced nutrient loss and treatment energy consumption. This study provides a good basis for the optimization of the pyrolysis process of three typical kinds of cow manures in dairy farms.

Treatment of Manure and Digestate Liquid Fractions Using Membranes: Opportunities and Challenges.

Manure and digestate liquid fractions are nutrient-rich effluents that can be fractionated and concentrated using membranes. However, these membranes tend to foul due to organic matter, solids, colloids, and inorganic compounds including calcium, ammonium, sodium, sulfur, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium contained in the feed. This review paper is intended as a theoretical and practical tool for the decision-making process during design of membrane-based systems aiming at processing manure liquid fractions. Firstly, this review paper gives an overview of the main physico-chemical characteristics of manure and digestates. Furthermore, solid-liquid separation technologies are described and the complexity of the physico-chemical variables affecting the separation process is discussed. The main factors influencing membrane fouling mechanisms, morphology and characteristics are described, as well as techniques covering membrane inspection and foulant analysis. Secondly, the effects of the feed characteristics, membrane operating conditions (pressure, cross-flow velocity, temperature), pH, flocculation-coagulation and membrane cleaning on fouling and membrane performance are presented. Finally, a summary of techniques for specific recovery of ammonia-nitrogen, phosphorus and removal of heavy metals for farm effluents is also presented.

Meta-analysis on how manure application changes soil organic carbon storage

Manure application to agricultural soils is widely considered as a source of nutrients and a method of maintaining levels of soil organic carbon (SOC) to mitigate climate change. At present, it is still unclear which factors are responsible for the SOC stock dynamics. Therefore, we analyzed the relationship between SOC stock changes and site characteristics, soil properties, experiment characteristics and manure characteristics. Overall, we included 101 studies with a total of 592 treatments. On average, the application of manure on agricultural soils increased SOC stocks by 35.4%, corresponding to 10.7 Mg ha−1. Manure applications in conventional tillage systems led to higher SOC stocks (+ 2.2 Mg ha−1) than applications under reduced tillage. Soil organic carbon increase upon manure application was higher in soils under non-tropical climate conditions (+ 2.7 Mg ha−1) compared to soils under sub-tropical climate. Larger SOC increases after manure application were achieved in intermediate and shallow topsoils (in 0–15 cm by 9.5 Mg ha−1 and in 16–20 cm by 13.6 Mg ha−1), but SOC stocks were also increased in deeper soils (> 20 cm 4.6 Mg ha−1), regardless of the tillage intensity. The highest relative SOC increase (+ 48%) was achieved if the initial SOC was below 1% but the absolute SOC increased with increasing initial SOC. Clay soils showed higher SOC increase rates compared to sandy soils (+ 3.1 Mg ha−1). Acidic soils showed comparable relative effects but a higher stock difference than neutral (+ 5.1 Mg ha−1) and alkaline soils (+ 5.1 Mg ha−1). The application of farmyard-, cattle- and pig manure showed the highest SOC increases (50%, 32% and 41%, respectively), while green manure and straw showed only minor effects. If manure applications were combined with additional mineral fertilizer, the SOC increases were higher (+ 1.7 Mg ha−1) compared to manure alone. Higher applied amounts generally led to higher SOC stocks. However the annually applied amount is only important under conventional tillage, non-tropical climate conditions, and pH-neutral as well as SOC-rich or SOC-depleted soils and if no additional mineral fertilization is applied. Further studies should focus on the SOC dynamics under tropical climate conditions and factors influencing a potential carbon saturation. In both cases, the number of data was too small. For this reason, additional field studies should be conducted primarily in the tropics. On the other hand, long-term field trials should be re-assessed or newly established to specifically investigate potential saturation effects and long-term (> 20 years) fertilizer effects and carbon sequestration.

Effects of added calcium-based additives on swine manure derived biochar characteristics and heavy metals immobilization

Although pyrolysis is a promising way for treating animal manure, the application is restricted with some limitations of biochar. To improve the quality of biochar derived from swine manure and enhance the immobilization of heavy metals (Cu and Zn) in it, swine manure was mixed with four types of Ca-based additives (CaO, CaCO3, Ca(OH)2, and Ca(H2PO4)2) prior to pyrolysis at 300–700 °C. The thermogravimetric characteristics of swine manure were obviously influenced The addition of CaO, CaCO3, and Ca(OH)2 during the whole decomposition process. Furthermore, with the addition of CaO and Ca(OH)2, the emission of CO2 and CO was substantially decreased at 200–500 °C, whereas the formation of CO, H2, CO2, and CH4 was drastically increased at 600–800 °C. The biochar produced with CaO addition had the highest pH, surface area and carbon content. Moreover, by addition of Ca-based additives, except for Ca(H2PO4)2, the transformation of labile Cu and Zn to the stable fraction was promoted, and the leachability and environmental risk of them were simultaneously reduced. In contrast, CaO and Ca(OH)2 were more favorable for the immobilization of Cu and Zn than CaCO3. Our study indicated that the catalytic pyrolysis using CaO was an effective and valuable method of animal manure treatment.

Response to Ammonia Emission Flux to Different pH Conditions under Biochar and Liquid Fertilizer Application

For the ammonia generated in Korea, the contribution rate of livestock manure is high, and a large amount of ammonia (NH3) is emitted into the atmosphere during the soil application process. Volatilization of NH3 is affected by soil characteristics as well as manure characteristics, but the current inventory does not sufficiently reflect this. This study was conducted to confirm the change of the NH3 emitted from liquid fertilizer (LF) due to soil pH and to evaluate the impacts of biochar (BC) on the suppression of NH3 volatilization. Estimating the NH3 emission flux using the chamber for 24 soils after LF treatment, it showed a tendency to increase exponentially as the pH in soil increased from 4 to 7. In addition, the parallel treatment of BC and LF increased the soil pH, thereby increasing the NH3 emission flux. The rise of soil pH due to LF treatment is a temporary phenomenon that appears in the early stage, but since NH3 volatilization is also highest at the beginning of LF application, the effect of soil characteristics on emission factor and its inventory should be considered when calculating the amount of NH3 emissions. Therefore, follow-up studies such as subdividing and enhancing the NH3 emission factor by soil characteristics and developing a reduction coefficient to certify the amount of emission reduction are needed.

Comparison of methane production from cattle, buffalo, goat, rabbit, chicken, and duck manure

Livestock manure is reported to be one source of methane (CH4) emission. The objective of this study was to measure methane production from several types of livestock manure. The experiment used a completely randomized design (CRD), with 6 kinds of livestock manure (cow, buffalo, goat, rabbit, chicken, and duck). Each treatment was repeated three times during 8 weeks. The research method used to measure methane production was a closed chamber method, with intervals of 5 minutes. Methane samples were analyzed using gas chromatography. The results of the study showed that during eight weeks of observation, the kinds of livestock manure significantly (p <0.05) affected methane production at weeks 3, 6, 7, and 8. In those weeks, duck manure produced the highest methane production compared to other manure. Total methane gas production during 8 weeks observation which produced by duck manure was 97.99 mg g−1. Meanwhile, the lowest methane produced by rabbit manure (2.70 mg g−1). The study concluded that duck manure produced the highest methane, conversely, rabbit manure produced the lowest methane. The characteristics of fresh manure determine the level of methane production from manure. Making biogas is the best effort in mitigating methane from manure.

Horticulture and Orchards as New Markets for Manure Valorisation with Less Environmental Impacts

Animal manure management is a real challenge to minimize environmental impacts and ensure that this valuable material is efficiently used in a circular economy context. One of the main limitations for larger use of animal manure as fertilizer is the availability of land to receive it in an area close to the farm. Indeed, animal manure is traditionally used for cereals and animal feed growth, but the soil area occupied with these crops might not be enough to receive all the manure produced and/or part of this soil might have nutrient contents, namely phosphorous, that do not permit further application of manure. Hence, extra land used for other agricultural activities might be an option. The main objective of the present review was to analyse the constraints and solutions to increase the use of manure in horticulture and orchards. Emphasis was given to the legal framework for manure utilization in the EU that might stimulate or restrain such a solution. The main characteristics of manure that might limit or stimulate manure reuse were also described, and the potential of some treatments to valorise manure was analysed. Several examples of alternative uses of manure in horticulture and orchards were examined, and the society and farmers’ acceptance of the proposed solution was addressed.

DATAMAN: A global database of nitrous oxide and ammonia emission factors for excreta deposited by livestock and land-applied manure.

Nitrous oxide (N2 O), ammonia (NH3 ), and methane (CH4 ) emissions from the manure management chain of livestock production systems are important contributors to greenhouse gases (GHGs) and NH3 emitted by human activities. Several studies have evaluated manure-related emissions and associated key variables at regional, national, or continental scales. However, there have been few studies focusing on the drivers of these emissions using a global dataset. An international project was created (DATAMAN) to develop a global database on GHG and NH3 emissions from the manure management chain (housing, storage, and field) to identify key variables influencing emissions and ultimately to refine emission factors (EFs) for future national GHG inventories and NH3 emission reporting. This paper describes the "field" database that focuses on N2 O and NH3 EFs from land-applied manure and excreta deposited by grazing livestock. We collated relevant information (EFs, manure characteristics, soil properties, and climatic conditions) from published peer-reviewed research, conference papers, and existing databases. The database, containing 5,632 observations compiled from 184 studies, was relatively evenly split between N2 O and NH3 (56 and 44% of the EF values, respectively). The N2 O data were derived from studies conducted in 21 countries on five continents, with New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Kenya, and Brazil representing 86% of the data. The NH3 data originated from studies conducted in 17 countries on four continents, with the United Kingdom, Denmark, Canada, and The Netherlands representing 79% of the data. Wet temperate climates represented 90% of the total database. The DATAMAN field database is available at http://www.dataman.co.nz.

Environmental Conditions and Gas Concentrations in Deep-Pit Finishing Cattle Facilities: A Descriptive Study

HighlightsTemperature and air movement in the naturally ventilated barns correlated to ambient conditions.Manure N-P-K values related to solids distribution in the manure storage.Ammonia and combined sulfur concentrations increased with closer proximity to the manure surface.Influences of manure properties, airflow conditions, barn design, and management were evident for gas concentrations.Abstract. There is a lack of data to describe the range of environmental and air quality conditions in beef cattle confinement buildings with deep-pit manure storage. The objective of this article is to describe the environmental conditions, manure nutrient concentrations, and aerial gas concentrations for three deep-pit manure storage finishing beef cattle facilities and varying weather conditions. Measurements were collected from three barns finishing beef cattle with deep pits in Minnesota on three sampling days per barn in summer, fall, and spring weather conditions. The air temperatures throughout the barns closely mirrored the ambient temperature conditions, although significantly lower temperatures were sometimes evident at the manure surface or in the inlet opening. However, the manure and floor surfaces had 2°C and 5°C temperature increases over ambient temperatures. Air speeds through the barn openings were generally 40% of the ambient wind speed; at animal level, the average air speed was 1 to 3 m s-1. Manure nutrient distributions were not consistent between the surface and agitated (whole pit) samples, and this was likely due in part to solids distribution in the storage. Total nitrogen levels ranged from 4.5 to 6.7 g L-1, and ammonium-N was 50% to 65% of total N in agitated whole-pit samples. Phosphate and potassium oxide levels ranged from 2.8 to 4.2 g L-1 and from 3.7 to 4.5 g L-1, respectively. Aerial ammonia and combined sulfur concentrations varied by location within a barn, pen, and season. Ammonia and combined sulfur increased with proximity to the manure surface. Higher ammonia and combined sulfur concentrations at manure level and floor level for one of the three barns may have related to water quality and/or feed composition and resulting manure nutrients, in addition to warmer temperatures. At floor level, the greatest average ammonia concentration was 8.5 ppm, and 3.9 ppm at nose level. Maximum combined sulfur levels were a maximum of 270 ppb at floor level in summer conditions in one of the barns, while 52 ppb was the maximum average during spring conditions. Carbon dioxide levels also varied by location within a barn, pen, and season and were related in part to the presence of cattle in the pen. This project is the first to quantify air quality in slatted-floor cattle barns and contributes to a body of knowledge that can be used to develop process-based models for estimating air emissions from cattle facilities. Keywords: Airflow, Ammonia, Beef cattle, Confinement, Hydrogenslfide, Manure characteristics, Temperature.

가축분뇨의 저장 방법에 따른 유기물 변화 및 바이오가스 생산 비교

In this study, the characteristics of pig manure according to the storage period were analyzed after storage for 60 days under different conditions of pH (4.0~6.0) and temperature (10,20,35oC) using sulfuric acid for pig manure among livestock manure and Optimal storage conditions was derived through the BMP test. In addition, the derived optimal storage conditions were applied to the anaerobic digestion reactor and biogas production was compared through continuous operation. frist, as a result the lowest decrease in organic matter was observed under the conditions of pH 4.0 and temperature of 10oC. In addition, as a result of evaluating the potential of biogasification, the lowest biogas was produced even though the amount of organic matter was preserved at the pH 4.0 condition in the result of the change of properties, while the higest produced of 332.5 mL was at pH 5.0 condition. through this, under conditions of pH 5.0 or less, biogas production is affected, which is considered to be the influence of sulfur components. secondly, storage method through temperature change, in proportion to the property change result, the maximum generation value of 395.2 mL was shown under 10oC condition where the most amount of organic matter was preserved. finally, the optimal temperature 10oC condition and the control group derived from the previous study were compared with the continuous operation based on the hydraulic residence time of 50 days. As a result, the methane yield per 1g VS was 0.26 and 0.22 L CH4, respectively. The biogasification rate was higher when the stored substrate was used through temperature control. Through the above results, it is thought that a higher amount of methane generation can be obtained when anaerobic digestion, a subsequent process, is applied as a storage method through temperature control.

Swine diets impact manure characteristics and gas emissions: Part II protein source

Soybean meal is the dominate protein source for swine diets in the world driven largely by economics, nutritive value, and availability; but conditions can change requiring growers to consider more economical and available protein alternatives. A feeding trial was conducted to determine the impact dietary protein source material on manure slurry chemical properties and manure gas emissions. A total of 32 gilts averaging 130 kg BW were fed either a control diet formulated with soybean meal (SB) or an alternative protein source that included corn gluten meal (CG); canola meal (CM); or poultry meal (PM), with all diets containing 176 g protein kg−1. Diets were fed for 45 d with an average daily feed intake of 2.68 kg/d. Feces and urine were collected twice daily after each feeding and added to animal-specific manure storage containers. At the end of the study, manure slurries were monitored for gas emissions and chemical properties. Dietary protein source had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on manure pH, total solids, total C, protein N, and total S. Pigs fed the diets containing CM had significantly higher levels of sulfide, butanoic acid, and branch chain fatty acids compared to pigs fed SB diets (P < 0.05). Pigs fed CM diets had significantly lower emissions of NH3 compared to pigs fed SB diets (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in C or S emissions or in odorant emission as affected by source of dietary protein. Hydrogen sulfide was the most dominate odorants for all dietary treatments.

Multi-objective optimization of anaerobic digestion process using a gradient-based algorithm

This paper focuses on optimization of the anaerobic digestion (AD) process by using gradient-based algorithm in order to determine the optimal values of process conditions and cattle manure characteristics. For this purpose, a simple AD mathematical model, which involves pH value- and temperature-dependent parameters of biochemical reactions and batch performance equations, has been developed. By using the proposed AD model, the optimization procedure is tested by three different objective functions and two types of pH value and temperature functions of time, which also depend on design variables: piecewise linear and Bezier function. The best results are obtained by using an objective function, which involves two conflicting objectives: maximization of biogas production in the shortest time possible and minimization of heating-related cost. In this case the optimized histories of pH and temperature as well as optimal initial bacteria concentrations enable a 4 times higher biogas volume production within a time interval being 3 times shorter than at the initial AD state. This can be achieved by using either the piecewise linear or Bezier type of the pH and temperature histories. The optimization process proved to be stable and efficient, especially by the parallelized derivatives computation. The results obtained confirm the usefulness of the proposed approach, which can easily be adapted or upgraded for complex substrates and other reactor types.

Ammonia Emissions from Differing Manure Storage Facilities at Two Midwestern Free-Stall Dairies

Dairies contribute a major portion of agricultural ammonia emissions in the United States. Emissions were monitored over two years from an anaerobic lagoon receiving manure from cows in the milking parlor and holding area in Indiana (IN), USA and a storage basin receiving manure from cows in barns as well as the milking parlor and holding area in Wisconsin (WI), USA. Emissions were monitored using open-path tunable diode lasers, sonic anemometers, and two emission models. The mean annual daily emissions at the WI storage basins (30 µg m−2 s−1) was nearly equal to that at the IN lagoon (27 µg m−2 s−1). The mean annual daily ammonia (NH3) emissions on a per animal basis were greater at the WI basins (33 g NH3 hd−1 d−1; 26 g NH3 AU−1 d−1) (hd = animal; AU = 500 kg animal mass) than at the IN lagoon (9 g NH3 hd−1 d−1; 7 g NH3 AU−1 d−1). Emissions from both storage systems were highest in the summer, lowest in the winter, and similar during the spring and fall. Emissions were strongly correlated with air temperature and weakly correlated with wind conditions. Greater emissions at the WI basins appeared to be related primarily to the characteristics of the stored manure.

Nitrous Oxide from Beef Cattle Manure: Effects of Temperature, Water Addition and Manure Properties on Denitrification and Nitrification

Beef feedyards produce nitrous oxide (N2O), a potent greenhouse gas. Limited research has evaluated the processes that produce feedyard N2O, and how rainfall and temperature impact N2O losses. Manure in feedyard pens develops into a complex ecosystem of microbes, extracellular enzymes, feces, and urine, with varying H2O content. This study aimed to improve understanding of feedyard N cycling under differing environmental conditions by incubation of manure in simulated feedyard pens using large chambers under laboratory conditions. We hypothesized that nitrification was the primary source of feedyard N2O, with interactions among temperature, H2O content, and manure properties. Emissions of N2O were monitored with a real–time N2O analyzer. Manure samples were taken at intervals for analyses of physicochemical properties, denitrification enzyme activity (DEA), and nitrification activity (NA). Due to equipment limitations, there was only one chamber per temperature tested. Correlation was poor among N2O emissions and rates of DEA and NA. However, significant relationships were found among key manure characteristics, such as ammonia/ammonium and nitrate/nitrite concentrations, manure dry matter, redox status, and temperature. These data suggest that most N2O was derived from denitrification in the top 5 cm of the manure pack. Further study is warranted to identify the processes involved in flushes of N2O emitted immediately after rainfall, possibly due to abiotic chemical reactions that release N2O sequestered in manure pores.

Swine diets impact manure characteristics and gas emissions: Part I protein level

Crude protein (CP) is a key nutrient in swine diets supplying essential amino acids, N, and S to animals for growth are fed in excess to maximize growth. Swine diets reduced in CP and supplemented with crystalline amino acids have been shown effective at maintaining animal growth while increasing overall CP use efficiency. A feeding trial study was conducted to determine the effects of reduced dietary CP levels on manure slurry chemical properties and gas emissions. A total of 24 gilts averaging 111 kg BW were fed corn and soybean meal diets formulated with 8.7, 14.8, and 17.6% CP using crystalline amino acid supplementation in the 8.7 and 14.8% CP diets, but only intact protein, soybean meal, in the diet containing 17.6% CP. Diets were fed for 45 d with an average daily feed intake (ADFI) of 2.70 kg across all diets. Animals were fed twice daily with both feces and urine collected during each feeding and added to animal-specific manure storage containers. At the end of the study, manure slurries were monitored for gas emissions and chemical properties. Increasing dietary CP levels increased manure pH, total solids, total N, and total S, including increased levels of ammonia (NH3), volatile fatty acids, and phenolic compounds. Pigs fed lower CP diets had lower emissions of NH3, branched chain fatty acids (BCFA), and phenol compounds which translated into lower emissions in total odor. Emissions of NH3 and odor were reduced by 8.9% and 4.2%, respectively, for each unit percent decline in dietary CP. Hydrogen sulfide was the dominate odorant associated with manure odor emissions. Based on nutrient mass balance, animal retention of dietary N and S increased by 7.0% and 2.4%, respectively, for each unit percent drop in crude protein fed animals, while C retention in the animal declined by 2.1%.

Dietary composition and particle size effects on swine manure characteristics and gas emissions.

Nutrients excreted from animals affect the nutritive value of manure as a soil amendment as well as the composition of gases emitted from manure storage facilities. There is a dearth of information, however, on how diet type in combination with dietary particle size affects nutrients deposited into manure storage facilities and how this affects manure composition and gas emissions. To fill this knowledge gap, an animal feeding trial was performed to evaluate potential interactive effects between feed particle size and diet composition on manure characteristics and manure-derived gaseous emissions. Forty-eight finishing pigs housed in individual metabolism crates that allowed for daily collection of urine and feces were fed diets differing in fiber content and particle size. Urine and feces were collected and stored in 446-L stainless steel containers for 49 d. There were no interactive effects between diet composition and feed particle size on any manure or gas emission parameter measured. In general, diets higher in fiber content increased manure nitrogen (N), carbon (C), and total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and increased manure VFA emissions but decreased manure ammonia emissions. Decreasing the particle size of the diet lowered manure N, C, VFAs, phenolics, and indole concentrations and decreased manure emissions of total VFAs. Neither diet composition nor particle size affected manure greenhouse gas emissions.

Effects of Cultivating Rice and Wheat with and without Organic Fertilizer Application on Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Soil Quality in Khost, Afghanistan

The agricultural sector is the most important economic component in Afghanistan, as 80% of the population is involved. The improvement of cereal production is an urgent task to meet the nation’s demand for the staple within the limited arable land. To promote a sustainable crop production system, this study examined the soil quality to learn the basic knowledge of soil fertility and the environmental impact of different rice–wheat cropping systems in Khost, Afghanistan by using the life cycle assessment (LCA) method. The economic analysis of each farming system was conducted by the data gathered by the farmers’ interviews along with LCA data collection. The analysis considered the on-farm activities, which were required to produce 1 kg of wheat and rice. It included energy use, production, and farming inputs such as fertilizer and agrochemicals. Conventional farming with organic fertilizer application (CF+OF) was compared with conventional farming (CF). The LCA results showed the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emission was higher in rice production compared to wheat production. However, CO2 absorption by the crops was far greater than the total GHG emission in both systems and showed great potential for soil carbon sequestration for mitigation of global warming. The soil examination revealed the CF+OF system increased soil total carbon (TC), active C (AC), total N (TN), soil organic carbon storage (SCS), P, and K+ after four years of organic fertilizer application. The yield of each crop was slightly higher in the CF system; however, the CF+OF system increased net income by reducing the cost for fertilizer. The study concluded the CF+OF system can improve soil fertility in the long term while saving the farming operation cost. Further research is required to determine the best combination of practices to improve cattle manure characteristics and farm management for soil carbon sequestration to promote a sustainable farming system in the country.

Dynamic and 3-D spatial variations in manure characteristics in two commercial manure-belt laying hen houses

Animal manure could be hazardous to human and animals if not managed properly. Laying hen manure in two commercial manure-belt houses was sampled in seven events over two years. A total of 124 samples was taken in randomly-selected 3-D space with 24 subspaces, composed of 3 sections × 4 sides × 2 floors in the houses. The samples were analyzed for manure pH, total solids (TS), and total ammonia (NH3). Manure characteristics demonstrated large temporal variations that were correlated with indoor temperature and ventilation rate and demonstrated quasi seasonal patterns. Variations in manure NH3 were larger than TS and pH. Manure characteristics varied substantially in the 3-D space but no patterns could be seen among the four sides and between the two floors. However, manure with different ages in the 3 sections along the manure belt moving direction showed differences in manure TS and NH3. Manure on the belts could loss approximately 2.5 % moisture and 0.2 % NH3 concentration per day.

Effect of Storage Time on Physicochemical and Biological Characteristics of Swine Manure in the Pit

Effect of Storage Time on Physicochemical and Biological Characteristics of Swine Manure in the Pit

Characteristics and Non-parametric Multivariate Data Mining Analysis and Comparison of Extensively Diversified Animal Manure

This study compared characteristics of different animal manure and examined non-parametric multivariate analysis tools’ suitability for their data mining. This can provide data and methodology support for scientific research and utilization of animal manure raw materials’ characteristics. Distribution profile testing, statistical calculation, and Spearman correlation analysis—using characteristics of 788 animal manure samples of layer, broiler, pig, dairy, and beef, with fertilizer nutrient compositions, proximate compositions, ultimate compositions, and calorific values—were conducted. Latent associations between different animal manure types’ characteristics were examined through five non-parametric multivariate analyses. All samples’ physicochemical characteristics samples showed different non-normal distributions except potassium. Volatile matter (VM), fixed carbon (FC), ash, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and higher/lower heating value (HHV/LHV) were correlated, and nitrogen was positively correlated with phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Non-parametric principal component analysis (PCA), non-parametric exploratory factor analysis (EFA), hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), and non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) obtained similar results: VM, FC, carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, HHV, and LHV had associated attributes (“energy utilization”); phosphorus, potassium, ash, nitrogen, and sulfur had intrinsic associated attributes (“fertilizer utilization”). Animal manure characteristics should be mined and analyzed using non-parametric statistical analysis methods. Non-parametric PCA, non-parametric EFA, HCA, and NMDS are suitable for this purpose.