Iowa Swine DayAdvanced Composting Technologies
Animal Mortality Composting
Keith Warren
Animal Mortality
Composting
Background• NC based focused on designing-
building mortality composting facilities • Built more than 300 facilities • Worked closely with NCDA, NRCS,
USDA, APHIS, FEMA, EPA, etc.
Goal• Share with you some suggestions,
some advise, some information that can improve the performance of your mortality composting facilities through a blend of science, experience and horse sense.
Tasks• Science behind the process,
understanding the mechanics, plus experience
• Inputs to be successful• Typical challenges; Possible solutions• ACT’s solution
Definition:• Composting is a biological process
that accelerates the natural decomposition of organic matter into a humus like end-product that has multiple soil benefits when land applied.
Definition:• Composting is a biological process
that accelerates the natural decomposition of organic matter …
• Microbes do all work…• Those microbes are aerobic
microorganisms – they need oxygen.
Composting Process
Loading Process Composting Curing
RecyclingLand Application
Optimize Water
Optimize Air
Nitrogen
Carbon
Mortality Composting Process
• Coarser Carbon material• Disciplined use of enough
carbon.• Attention to Inventories• Add forced aeration
Forced-Air Composting
Loading Process Composting Curing
RecyclingLand Application
Optimize Water
Optimize Air
Nitrogen
Carbon
Total Process Control
Mortality Composting Process
• Moisture is the conduit for activity. But too much is bad.
• Challenges and Solutions:
Food: Carbon & Nitrogen
Carbon
• Corn Stover • Soybean Trash• Sawdust
Typical Carbon Source:
Food: Carbon & Nitrogen
Nitrogen
• 2nd Stage Compost• LitterTypical Nitrogen Source:
Pre-mix Bin:
• C:N Mixed
• Added Air and Moisture
Jump Start the Process
• Process Start – Temps Build
• Microbes Thrive
110
120
130
140
150
160
4/27 5/1 5/5 5/9 5/13 5/17 5/21 5/25 5/29 6/2
Tem
pera
ture
(deg
. F)
Duration of Composting Test
Concrete Bin Temperature Performance
Temp NCDA Req. EPA 503
Twenty-eight consecutive days above 150˚ F
Composting Process
Loading Process Composting Curing
RecyclingLand Application
Optimize Water
Optimize Air
Nitrogen
Carbon
ACT’s Mortality Composting Process
Individual Compressors
for Individual Bin aeration
Even Air Distribution
Forced-Air Composting
Grinding/Mixing Process
Composting Curing Recycling
Land Application
Optimize Water
Optimize Air
Nitrogen
Carbon
Total Process Control
Mortality Composting Process
Particle Size
Reduction
Benefits of A Mixer
• Ability to Handle
Spikes in Mortality
• Reduces Number
of Bins Required
Grinding/Mixing Advantage:• Eliminates Leachate
• Pre-mixing of materials
• Significantly reduced bones
• Significantly reduced cycle times
• Reduced number of bins
Pieces Come Together• Temperature Performance
• Translates Into True
Pathogen Kill
• Minimal Bones
• No Leachate
• Value-Added End Product
• Bio-secure Process
“Compost Special” Mixer
Auger Blades/Knives Conveyor
Unloading Sow’s,
Piglet’s & Afterbirth
after only 25 Minutes
of Mixing
Benefits of Mixer
Simple Operation
No Layering the Bin
No more Leachate
Eliminates Big Bones
Increased loading rate
Reduced cycle times
Reduced # of bins
Thank You
for Putting
Food on Our
Table!
The Leader in Animal Mortality Composting
Thank You