Evaluation of swine waste composting in vertical reactors

Abstract

This study examined the composting of swine wastes in a modified static pile system. Variations in the heights of the reactors and differences in the initial moisture contents of the compost mix were the variables under consideration. The effectiveness of the process was assessed on the basis of the physical parameters of temperature, moisture content, particle size distribution, shrinkage and compaction. The reactor with a compost pile height of 1.0 m had the best results with both initial moisture contents. However, the results for all the reactors improved when the initial moisture content was lower. This suggests that although the reactor with a pile height of 2.3 m gave the least favourable results, control of aeration and initial moisture levels could make this height of composting pile effective.