Hog manure amended with sawdust (moisture 56-60% wet basis, C/N 19-21) was composted in pilot-scale vessels using continuous aeration (CA) and intermittent aeration (IA) for 3 and 4 weeks. In two subsequent runs of the same duration, composts resulting from each of the first runs were used as a biofilter on the output air from newly composting material. Conditions between each of these paired sets appeared to be similar. Ammonia was released from the biofilter material during the first week of stabilization while the compost produced ammonia after the first week of composting. In both cases substantial absorption, 61-82%, of ammonia production from the composting raw material was achieved in the stabilizing material during the final weeks of operation and indicates use of the stabilizing hog manure/sawdust compost as a biofilter can reduce ammonia emissions. Total NH3-N emissions during run 2 for IA was less than two thirds that of the CA process. Dry solids loss for the stabilized compost (6-8 weeks) was 20-45%.
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