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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #184579
Title: SUPERSOIL SYSTEM: ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY USE OF HOG WASTE (VIRTUAL TOUR)

Author
item Vanotti, Matias
item FETTERMAN, LEWIS - SUPER SOIL SYSTEMS USA
item Szogi, Ariel
item Hunt, Patrick
item Ellison, Aprel
item Millner, Patricia
item HUMENIK, FRANK - NC STATE UNIV.

Submitted to: Electronic Publication
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/26/2005
Publication Date: 10/5/2005
Citation: Vanotti, M.B., Fetterman, L., Szogi, A.A., Hunt, P.G., Ellison, A.Q., Millner, P.D., Humenik, F. 2005. Supersoil System: Environmentally friendly use of hog waste (virtual tour). Virtual Tour from Animal Waste Management Symposium, October 5-7, 2005, Raleigh, North Carolina. CDROM

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Systems of treatment technologies are needed that capture nutrients, reduce emissions of ammonia and nuisance odors, kill harmful pathogens, and generate value-added products from manure. A system of swine wastewater treatment technologies was developed to accomplish many of these tasks. The total system had two components: 1) an on-farm wastewater treatment system consisting of liquid-solid separation, nitrification/denitrification, and soluble P removal, and 2) a centralized solids processing facility where a mixture of separated manure and cotton gin residue was aerobically composted, and transformed into soil amendments, organic fertilizers, and potting soil. Both components were constructed and operated by Super Soil Systems USA of Clinton, NC. The total system went through full-scale demonstration and verification as part of the agreement between the Attorney General of North Carolina and Smithfield Foods, Premium Standard Farms, and Frontline Farmers to identify and implement technologies that can replace current lagoons with Environmentally Superior Technology. The on-farm system removed more than 97% of the suspended solids from wastewater. It stripped the water of 95% of its total P, 99% of its ammonia, 98% of its copper, more than 99% of its biochemical oxygen demand and odor-causing components, and produced a disinfected effluent. In addition, the old wastewater lagoon was converted into clean, aerated water that substantially reduced ammonia emissions. The centralized facility produced quality composts that conserved 95-100% of the nitrogen and other nutrients into a stabilized product with an earthy scent that met Class A biosolids standards due to high pathogen reduction during treatment. Based on performance results obtained, it was determined that both components met the Agreement’s technical performance standards that define an Environmentally Superior Technology. These findings overall showed that cleaner alternative technologies are technically and operationally feasible and that they can have significant positive impacts on the environment and the livestock industry.