Field scale evaluation of volatile organic compound production inside biosecure swine mortality composts

Akdeniz, Neslihan; Kozieł, Jacek A.; Ahn, Heekwon; Glanville, Thomas D.; Crawford, Benjamin P.

doi:10.1016/j.wasman.2010.05.022

Cited by 24 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Gases generated inside compost can also provide useful information about the status of the biomass decay process and could potentially be exploited to optimize and control the process. The concept of using compost gases for the non-invasive, biosecure monitoring of decay process completion has been used for disposal of potentially infectious animal carcasses [9][10][11][12][13][14][15].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Process Gases within the Biowaste Compost

Stegenta-Dąbrowska

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Pilarski³

et al. 2019

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Composting is generally accepted as the sustainable recycling of biowaste into a useful and beneficial product for soil. However, composting processes can produce gases that are considered air pollutants. In this dataset, we summarized the spatial and temporal distribution of process gases (including rarely reported carbon monoxide, CO) generated inside full-scale composting piles. In total 1375 cross-sections were made and presented in 230 figures. The research aimed to investigate the phenomenon of gas evolution during the composting of biowaste depending on the pile turning regime (no turning, turning once a week, and turning twice a week) and pile location (outdoors, and indoors in a composting hall). The analyzed biowaste (a mixture of tree leaves and branches, grass clippings, and sewage sludge) were composted in six piles with passive aeration including additional turning at a municipal composting plant. The chemical composition and temperature of process gases within each pile were analyzed weekly for ~49–56 days. The variations in the degree of pile aeration (O2 content), temperature, and the spatial distribution of CO, CO2 and NO concentration during the subsequent measurement cycles were summarized and visualized. The lowest O2 concentrations were associated with the central (core) part of the pile. Similarly, an increase in CO content in the pile core sections was found, which may indicate that CO is oxidized in the upper layer of composting piles. Higher CO and CO2 concentrations and temperature were also observed in the summer season, especially on the south side of piles located outdoors. The most varied results were for the NO concentrations that occurred in all conditions. The dataset was used by the composting plant operator for more sustainable management. Specifically, the dataset allowed us to make recommendations to minimize the environmental impact of composting operations and to lower the risk of worker exposure to CO. The new procedure is as follows: turning of biowaste twice a week for the first two weeks, followed by turning once a week for the next two weeks. Turning is not necessary after four weeks of the process. The recommended surface-to-volume ratio of a compost pile should not exceed 2.5. Compost piles should be constructed with a surface-to-volume ratio of less than 2 in autumn and early spring when low ambient temperatures are common.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Process Gases within the Biowaste Compost

Stegenta-Dąbrowska

Sobieraj

Pilarski³

et al. 2019

Data

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“…Another concern was monitoring the progress and completion of the process without removing the cover. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were used as biomarkers of decaying mortalities (Akdeniz et al, 2011(Akdeniz et al, , 2010a(Akdeniz et al, , 2010b(Akdeniz et al, , 2009. Other researchers also recognized the importance of predicting the maturity of the biosecure composting systems.…”

Section: Research On Composting Avian Influenza Infected Mortalitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of the animal disease outbreaks and biosecure animal mortality composting systems

Costa

Akdeniz

2019

Waste Management

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“…Results of the VOC study are reported in papers by Akdeniz et al (2010aAkdeniz et al ( , 2010bAkdeniz et al ( , 2011.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance of a plastic-wrapped composting system for biosecure emergency disposal of disease-related swine mortalities

et al. 2016

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A passively-ventilated plastic-wrapped composting system initially developed for biosecure disposal of poultry mortalities caused by avian influenza was adapted and tested to assess its potential as an emergency disposal option for disease-related swine mortalities. Fresh air was supplied through perforated plastic tubing routed through the base of the compost pile. The combined air inlet and top vent area is ⩽∼1% of the gas exchange surface of a conventional uncovered windrow. Parameters evaluated included: (1) spatial and temporal variations in matrix moisture content (m.c.), leachate production, and matrix O2 concentrations; (2) extent of soft tissue decomposition; and (3) internal temperature and the success rate in achieving USEPA time/ temperature (T) criteria for pathogen reduction. Six envelope materials (wood shavings, corn silage, ground cornstalks, ground oat straw, ground soybean straw, or ground alfalfa hay) and two initial m.c. 's (15-30% w.b. for materials stored indoors, and 45-65% w.b. to simulate materials exposed to precipitation) were tested to determine their effect on performance parameters (1-3). Results of triple-replicated field trials showed that the composting system did not accumulate moisture despite the 150 kg carcass water load (65% of 225 kg total carcass mass) released during decomposition. Mean compost m.c. in the carcass layer declined by ∼7 percentage points during 8-week trials, and a leachate accumulation was rare. Matrix O2 concentrations for all materials other than silage were ⩾10% using the equivalent of 2 m inlet/vent spacing. In silage O2 dropped below 5% in some cases even when 0.5 m inlet/vent spacing was used. Eight week soft tissue decomposition ranged from 87% in cornstalks to 72% in silage. Success rates for achievement of USEPA Class B time/ temperature criteria ranged from 91% for silage to 33-57% for other materials. Companion laboratory biodegradation studies suggest that Class B success rates can be improved by slightly increasing envelope material m.c. Moistening initially dry (15% m.c.) envelope materials to 35% m.c. nearly doubled their heat production potential, boosting it to levels ⩾silage. The 'contradictory' silage test results showing high temperatures paired with slow soft tissue degradation are likely due to this material's high density, low gas permeability and low water vapor loss. While slow decomposition typically suggests low microbial activity and heat production, it does not rule out high internal temperatures if the heat produced is conserved. Occasional short-term odor releases during the first 2 weeks of composting were associated with top-tobottom gas flow which is contrary to the typical bottom-to-top flow typically observed in conventional compost piles. In cases where biosecurity concerns are paramount, results of this study show the plasticwrapped passively-ventilated composting method to have good potential for above-ground swine mortality disposal. m.c. doubles their heat production potential resulting in significantly hig...

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Field scale evaluation of volatile organic compound production inside biosecure swine mortality composts

Cited by 24 publications

References 21 publications

The Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Process Gases within the Biowaste Compost

The Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Process Gases within the Biowaste Compost

A review of the animal disease outbreaks and biosecure animal mortality composting systems

Performance of a plastic-wrapped composting system for biosecure emergency disposal of disease-related swine mortalities

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