Author(s): OLIVEIRA, M. M. de; BELLI FILHO, P.; COLDEBELLA, A.; OLIVEIRA, P. A. V. de

Summary: Evaluation of physical and chemical parameters of accelerated composting of carcasses of dead pigs in rotary drum reactors: Rotary drum reactors are used to process pig carcasses in southern Brazil, which is the largest pig producing area in the country. The objective of this study was to evaluate physico-chemical parameters during accelerated composting of pig carcasses in a rotary drum reactor. For the experiment, a rotary drum reactor with a volume of 3.6 m3 was used, equipped with a continuous ventilation system that renewed air inside the reactor. The reactor was programmed to alternate between 24 minutes of rotation and 3 hours of rest. The reactor was operated in batch mode and loaded with a mass ratio of sawdust to pig carcass of 1.28. Biomass was collected weekly during the experimental period (8 weeks) for analysis of dry matter (DM), C (carbon), N (nitrogen) and pH. Temperature of the biomass was measured daily at 5 points inside the reactor. Over the experimental period, biomass DM decreased by 46.9%, mainly due to emission of C-CO2. Concentrations of C and N decreased from 52.7% and 2.94% of DM, respectively, to 45.5% and 0.8% of DM, respectively. The temperature of the biomass showed the characteristic behaviour of composting, remaining consistently above 50°C for 20 days. This technology has shown promising results, but modifications are needed to reduce N losses from the biomass during the process.

Publication year: 2020

Types of publication: Paper in annals and proceedings

Unit: Embrapa Swine & Poultry

Keywords: Compostagem, Suinocultura