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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Bowling Green, Kentucky » Food Animal Environmental Systems Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #191502
Title: EVALUATION OF AN ADVANCED WASTE TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR REDUCTION OF MALODOROUS COMPOUNDS FROM SWINE WASTE

Author
item Loughrin, John
item Szogi, Ariel
item Vanotti, Matias

Submitted to: Mississippi Water Resources Research Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/27/2005
Publication Date: 4/27/2005
Citation: Loughrin, J.H., Szogi, A.A., Vanotti, M.B. Evaluation of an advanced waste treatment system for reduction of malodorous compounds from swine waste . Mississippi Water Resources Research Conference Proceedings. 4/26-4/27/2005

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Technologies are needed that reclaim nutrients, kill pathogens and reduce emission of ammonia and nuisance odors from animal waste. A full-scale system (4,360-pigs) was implemented as part of the Smithfield Foods/Premium Standard Farms/Frontline Farmers Agreement with the North Carolina Attorney General to develop technologies that accomplish these goals and offer alternatives to waste-treatment lagoons. The system increases the efficiency of liquid/solid separation by injection of polymer to increase solids flocculation. Ammonia emission is reduced by passing the liquid through modules with immobilized nitrifiers/denitrifiers. Subsequent alkaline treatment of the wastewater in a phosphorus module precipitates calcium phosphate and kills pathogens. Previous reports have shown that this system effectively reduces nutrients and pathogens of high strength wastewater. This report evaluates the system’s effectiveness for the remediation of malodorous compounds from waste. Preliminary headspace analyses showed that the levels of five key malodorous compounds (phenol, p-cresol, 4-ethylphenol, indole and skatole) were reduced by over 90% in treated water as compared to raw flushed manure. Subsequent solid phase extraction measured levels of volatile compounds at each stage of the treatment process in order to identify stages that reduce malodorous compounds and potential control points for the reduction of odors in the treatment system. Seventeen volatile compounds consisting of aromatics, hydrocarbons, and brominated aliphatics were identified from swine wastewater. As seen in headspace analyses, the levels of compounds with objectionable odors were reduced by an average of more than 90 percent during treatment: in effect, wastewater odor reduction was achieved during denitrification of the wastewater. Experimental results are discussed in relation to sampling methodology and wastewater treatment stage.