A bench-scale aeration study using batch reactors on swine manure stabilization to control odour in post treatment storage

A bench-scale study on swine manure stabilization for odour control was conducted using batch aeration reactors. In trial 1, two aeration lengths, i.e., 0.5 and 4.0 day, were used under uncontrolled ambient temperature that increased gradually over the experimental period. While in trial 2, a 16.0-day aeration scheme was employed under constant 17 °C. An airflow rate of 1.2 L/s/m3 was used for both trials to aerate batch reactors containing finishing pig manure with initial total solids (TS) levels ranging from 0.5 to 4.0%. Manure stabilization during the 90-day post-treatment storage was evaluated by the changes in organic materials, nitrogen and volatile fatty acids (VFA). The odour generation potential in the treated manure was determined by the changes in VFA. Up to 827 mL of liquid was lost due to aeration related foaming. The reductions in total volatile solids (TVS), 5-day biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) and VFA during storage were improved when aeration length increased. Low solids levels offered a more advantageous circumstance for manure stabilization and odour control. Biodegradation of organic matter, removal of nitrogen, and breakdown of VFA would increase with increasing ambient temperature. VFA removals in manure under 16.0-day aeration were higher than those under 0.5- and 4.0-day aeration; however, VFA regeneration started to exceed its consumption on day 20 (4 days after the aeration treatment). BOD5 was the best estimate of VFA concentration in the aerated manure during storage. The 4.0-day aeration scheme was sufficient to stabilize manure to effectively assuage odour generation potential during the 90-day storage under increasing ambient temperature conditions.