Final report : aerobic and anaerobic digestion characteristics of livestock wastes

Abstract

This laboratory study was initiated with the purpose of determining the aerobic and anaerobic digestion characteristics of livestock wastes. Hog, cow, and sheep manure were digested anaerobically in bench-scale digesters. First stage BOD and oxidation rate constants were measured for these same wastes. A BOD and COD correlation was determined for each waste and the rate and degree of biodegradation of hog wastes in aeration tanks was investigated. The conclusions drawn in each phase of this study are correlated in the final chapter, and example calculations are presented for hog wastes. The quantity of water required to treat the wastes, either aerobically or anaerobically, is considered in the final chapter, and it is shown to be a practical problem from the standpoint of the adequacy of many farm water supplies.