S-1000
Regional Project
Animal
Manure and Waste Utilization, Treatment and Nuisance Avoidance for a Sustainable
Agriculture
2003 Station
Reports
1. Scientist
Reporting - Name: David T. Hill
Location: Department of BioSystems Engineering
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
Auburn University, AL 36849-5417
2. Progress to Date:
Objective 2, Task 2 (Long term Constructed Wetlands
Treatment): A two cell constructed wetlands treated poultry lagoon effluent
continuously for 10 years at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station’s
Poultry Research Unit. This system consisted of three - two cell replications
operated in parallel so that a number of treatment options could be evaluated
at the same time over the years. Last year’s report stated that approximately
30,000 bits of data were involved in this 10 year project. Actually, more
that 37,000 data points have been tabulated. This past year, progress was
made in converting about 5000 of the data points from raw hand recorded data
into the final data for BOD, COD, NH3, alkalinity and PO4. Because no additional
outside money is available and graduate student programs are not authorized
for the department, this progress has been slow. It is anticipated that this
data analysis and reporting will last at least two more years. This effort
is not at the stage that warrants preliminary reporting at present.
Objective 2, Task 3 (Sludge Removal from Lagoons):
The objective of this project was the development of a pumping and filtration
system used for the removal of the lower sludge layer of a swine lagoon without
disturbing the supernatant. The material that was removed from the lagoon
was analyzed for the same parameters as in the sampling and analysis procedure
reported in previous years. There were samples taken from three locations;
the inflow tank of the filter; the outflow from the diverter to the sludge
pile on the ground; and the return flow to the lagoon. The average values
from this analysis are presented below in Table 1.
At first it may appear that the values can not be possible due to the fact
the results from the Screen and Lagoon Return should be additive to equal
the Inflow/Tank, as this appears to be a material balance. However,
there is a mixing effect that is introduced within the tank, therefore there
is no way that a material balance can be applied to this system.
3. Usefulness of Findings:
The analysis of the wetlands data for evaluation of the
movement of nutrients in the soil and accumulation of nitrogen and phosphorus
around and below the wetland cells provides the only such analysis over a
ten year period in the U.S. using poultry waste. This data also includes
the actual treatment parameters used to determine the efficiency of the wetlands
system in pollution control and abatement over a ten year period. The lagoon
renovation project results provide data that indicate that effective solids
separation can be achieved simultaneously during the sludge removal procedure.
A majority of the solids, COD, TP and TKN are retained on the screen while
marginal separation results were obtained for K and OP. This has the effect
of concentrating the nutrients in a smaller volume of material before final
disposal.
4. Work Planned for 2004:
Work will proceed during 2004 on the analysis of the wetlands
data for evaluation of the movement of nutrients in the soil and accumulation
of nitrogen and phosphorus around and below the wetland cells. This data
also includes the actual treatment parameters used to determine the efficiency
of the wetlands system in pollution control and abatement. This will be a
continuing effort and will not be completed for at least two more years.
Final conclusions and recommendations for the deep sludge pumping renovation
systems of aged lagoons will be made.
5. 1600 Character Summary:
A two cell constructed wetlands treated poultry lagoon
effluent continuously for 10 years at the Alabama Agricultural Experiment
Station’s Poultry Research Unit. This past year, progress was made in converting
about 5000 of the data points from raw hand recorded data into the final
data for BOD, COD, NH3, alkalinity and PO4. It is anticipated that this data
analysis and reporting will last at least two more years. This effort is
not at the stage that warrants preliminary reporting at present. The objective
of the second project (lagoon renovation) was the development of a pumping
and filtration system used for the removal of the lower sludge layer of a
swine lagoon without disturbing the supernatant. The material that was removed
from the lagoon was analyzed for the same parameters as in the sampling and
analysis procedure reported in previous years. There were samples taken from
three locations; 1) the inflow tank of the filter; 2) the outflow from the
diverter to the sludge pile on the ground; and 3) the return flow to the
lagoon. Results from this study indicate that effective solids separation
can be achieved. A majority of the solids, COD, TP and TKN are retained on
the screen while marginal separation results were obtained for K and OP.
6. Publications Issued:
Hill, D. T., T. W. Tyson and D. A. Mays. 2003. Animal Waste Lagoon Renovation
and Solid Waste Management. Final Completion Report. Alabama Agricultural
Experiment Station. BioSystems Engineering Department. Auburn University,
AL 36849-5417.