The Development of an Environmentally Compliant and Cost Effective On-Site Animal Manure Management Composting Technology

Animal Manure Management is a major challenge to dairies and CAFO's with respect to efficient resource use, farm economics and environmental impacts. Composting is an established process for converting animal manure into other value-added products such as soil amendment and animal bedding material. However, current agricultural composting practices do not generally address increasingly stringent air emissions, are subject to significant seasonal variations, and generally require an undesirably long retention time. USDA/SBIR Phase II research by Engineered Compost Systems (ECS) will build on the positive outcome of our Phase I research, in which innovative compost pile cover and aeration floor technologies were applied to dairy manure solids composting on a pilot scale. The Phase I results demonstrated an ability to quickly compost material while capturing and controlling the majority (>95%) of air emissions produced. The Phase II research will begin with refining the pilot scale process while building a large prototype system to be operated at a large commercial dairy with typical industry practices. Research and development goals at the large dairy will focus on proving air emission performance, reliably producing bedding from dewatered solids, maintaining herd health, and providing an effective nutrient management tool. A successful Phase II outcome will lay the groundwork for a commercially viable technology that provide a tool for sustainable animal manure management at dairies and CAFO's across the USA.