Wood Chip Biofilter Performance of Ammonia Gas From Composting Manure

Compost Science & Utilization, (2004), Vol. 12, No. 1, 25-30

J. H. Hong and K. J. Park

Department of Bio-industrial Machinery Engineering, Sunchon National University, Sunchon, Korea

This study was carried out to investigate the influence of wood chip biofilter properties and the depth of biofilter media, on ammonia emissions during high rate composting of dairy manure mixed with bulking agents. The composting and biofiltration process consisted of two series of tests. Experimental trials lasted three weeks and were composted in a 605 L pilot-scale reactor vessel. Initial conditions of composting and biofiltration process between each of two sets appeared to be similar. The experimental design used replication of three biofilter vessels of wood chips in two series of biofilter medium(total of six tests). The ammonia laden emissions from the composting mixture were passed through biofilter media and collected in the boric acid trap from the compost reactor and biofilter vessels. Temperatures in the compost and biofilter, ammonia emissions, and pressure drop across the biofilter media were monitored throughout all runs. Material masses, moisture contents, pH and various chemical properties were determined for initial and final samples from all runs. Results indicated that ammonia emission was influenced by the depth of biofilter media. Optimum biofilter media depth in a closed wood chip biofilter was 40 cm for the ammonia concentration of allowable condition of less than 50 ppm.

Copyright 2007, The JG Press, Inc.