Avian Bird Flu Response in BC - Composting Birds and Manure Flu... · 2016-02-19 · Avian Bird Flu...
Transcript of Avian Bird Flu Response in BC - Composting Birds and Manure Flu... · 2016-02-19 · Avian Bird Flu...
Avian Bird Flu Response in BC -
Composting Birds and Manure
John Paul, Ph.D. Transform Compost Systems Ltd.
Abbotsford, BC Canada
Introduction
• The Avian Flu in British Columbia required depopulation of 19
million birds.
• Approximately 2 million were in flocks that tested positive for the
Avian Flu – these were incinerated, landfilled, or composted on
farm by the CFIA
The CFIA used a passively aerated composting method to
biologically heat treat the birds and litter. Perforated plastic pipe was
placed perpendicular to the windrows. The windrows were covered
with sawdust and plastic and contained vents for air exhaust.
Photo courtesy of BC Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Manure from farms that tested positive was treated on farm by Transform
Compost Systems and the Sustainable Poultry Farming Group
Photo courtesy of BC Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Introduction
Of the remainder of the 19 million birds that tested negative for
Avian Flu:
• Many of the broiler chickens went to market
• Some of the birds went to West Coast Reduction for rendering
• Approximately 1.3 million negative birds needed a home –
hence the initiation of the Vyefield Compost Site.
Avian Bird Flu Response in BC - Composting Birds and Manure
The following persons represent the team involved with composting 1.3 million birds that tested negative for Avian Flu.
• Orlando Schmidt – BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
• Geoff Hughes Games – BC Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
• Mike Younie – BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection
• Ed Kielstra – Vyefield Farms Ltd.
• Bryan and Alexis Arthur – Pacific Forage Bag Supply Ltd.
• Dave Robertson – Robertson Farms
• Harvey Funk – Compost Technologies Inc.
• John Paul – Transform Compost Systems Ltd.
Introduction
• The composting technology was selected by the BC Ministry of Agriculture.
• The finances for this project were provided by the BC Government Provincial Emergency Program.
• The BC Ministry of Water, Land and Air Protection assisted with the environmental considerations and the amendment to the Fraser Valley Regional District Solid Waste Management Plan.
• Pacific Forage Bag Supply Ltd partnered with Vyefield Farms to provide the equipment and services with the Ag Bag composting technology.
• Vyefield Farms donated their land, had their own Versa bagging equipment, and retained ownership of the compost.
• Harvey Funk of Compost Technologies Inc. Omaha, Nebraska (CTI) was hired by Vyefield Farms provide technical services and equipment for the CTI System composting technology, including the Versa Bagger.
• Dr. John Paul of Transform Compost Systems was hired by the provincial government to be the qualified professional on the project.
The Process – Feedstock
Delivery
• The birds were gassed
with CO2 on farm and the
carcasses delivered to the
bunker in enclosed trucks.
The Composting Process – Feedstock Blending
• The birds were blended with ground woodwaste and poultry
litter in the following ratio:
– One bucket of birds
– One bucket of manure
– Three buckets of woodwaste
The Composting Process – Grinding the Blend
• The bird / manure / woodwaste blend was ground using a
horizontal “Beast” grinder
• Separated dairy manure liquids were added during the grinding
process to provide approximately 55% moisture by weight
The Composting Process – Filling the Bags
• 30 Ag Bags (green bags) were filled with 550 cubic yards of material in
each 10 ft diameter by 200 ft long bag.
• Two lengths of 4” perforated flexible corrugated tubing was inserted
into each bag
The Composting Process – Filling the Bags
• 16 CTI System bags (white bags) were filled with 1400 cubic yards of
material in each 12 ft diameter by 350 ft long bag.
• Two 5” rigid perforated smooth wall reusable pipes were inserted into
the bag during loading
The Result – 39,000 Cubic Yards of Composting Material
Aerating the Composting Material in the Bags
• Each of the green bags was aerated using a Dayton Model 2C820
blowers – 1/3 hp 270 CFM @ 4” W.C static pressure
• Each of the white bags was aerated using two Dayton Model 4C108
blowers – 1 hp 559 CFM@ 4” W.C. static pressure
• CTI System bags (white) aerated 50% of the time – 4 min on, 4 min off
• AgBag bags (green) aerated 33% of the time - 4 min on, 8 min off
Monitoring Odor
• Odor was monitored twice daily – 8:00 AM, 8:00 PM at 7 different
locations on roads around the composting site.
• Odor was distinct at times, but only directly downwind of the
composting site.
• There were no odor complaints received by any agency
5
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X Composting
Site
Monitoring Temperature
• Temperatures in each of the bags were recorded twice during the first
week, and then weekly for a period of six weeks.
• Thirty data points were measured on each bag at each sampling time,
at depths of 6”, 3’ and 6’ into the bag using 6’ probes.
• Surface temperature measurements were compared between green
and white bags
Monitoring Temperature
Average CTI System (White Bag) Temperatures
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Time (Weeks)
Tem
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( oC
)
6” depth
3’ depth
6’ depth
Monitoring Temperature
Average Ag Bag (Green Bag) Temperatures
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0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Time (Weeks)
Tem
pera
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( o
C)
6” depth
3’ depth
6’ depth
Monitoring Coliforms
• Total and fecal coliforms were measured in select bags after one
week, two weeks and six weeks.
• 75 % of bags had less than 1000 MPN after one week
• 95 % of bags had less than 1000 MPN after two weeks
• 40 % of bags had less than 1000 MPN after six weeks
Moisture Separation Requires Removal From Bags
> 70% moisture
< 10% moisture < 10% moisture
Bag Contents are Removed and Windrowed
• Bags were opened after approximately 8-12 weeks
• Only a few small bones and some feathers remain of the chicken
• Bag contents are piled for further windrow composting
Windrows Are Turned Several Times During a 6 Week Process
• Coliform counts reduced after 2 to 3 turns
• Turning results in consistent moisture content – further drying
• Compost maturity index (Solvita) increases from 4 to 6 (for CO2) during windrow composting process
• White bag contents drier and less ammonia than green bags due to greater aeration rates
Temperatures Remain High During Windrow Composting
Temperatures in Windrows
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0 7 14 21 28 35 42
Time in windrow (days)
Tem
pera
ture
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oC
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Ag Bag (Green Bags)
CTI System (White Bags)
View of Site on August 14, 2004
View of Site on September 7, 2004
N – P – K 1 – 2 - 1
pH 7.8
C:N Ratio 18.6
EC 3.7 dS/m
Meets all requirement for Class A compost as defined by the
BC Organic Matter Recycling Regulations (later windrows
were affected by precipitation that started mid-September –
much of this compost did not meet Class A compost
requirements for coliform.
Total and Fecal coliforms are < 3 MPN
Analysis of Compost (from first 2 windrows)
Summary
• Composting in the bags resulted in a well contained process with
little odor concern and no odor complaints.
• Temperatures were maintained well above temperatures required for
pathogen kill.
• The carcasses were fully decomposed in the bags.
• Coliforms were killed initially, but some regrowth occurred on the
outside of the bag, requiring further windrowing and turning.
• Increased aeration in the CTI System (white) bags resulted in a drier
product with less ammonia
• The Solvita maturity index suggested that the 8 week bag process
produced product with a maturity level of 4, suggesting further
composting and curing was required
• The resulting product after windrowing is awesome – but completely
dependent on the weather (which turned rainy in September while all
the windrows were still outside)
John Paul, Ph.D. President
Transform Compost Systems Ltd.
Abbotsford, BC Canada
Email: [email protected]
www.transformcompostsystems.com
Assisting the BC Poultry Industry with
Positive Birds and Manure
Transform Compost Systems
Transform Compost Systems worked with the Sustainable Poultry
Farming group to assist some of the poultry producers that were
affected by the Avian Flu
We followed four principles outlined by the CFIA when developing
the protocol for treatment of the manure from farms that tested
positive for Avian Flu.
• Minimize aerosol formation
• Minimize human health risk
• Ensure adequate pathogen kill
• Be practical
Developing the Protocols
• The manure was somewhat mixed
in the barn, then transferred by
conveyor to a vertical auger mixer
that blended the wet with the dry
• No other carbon or bulking agent
added
• Result – no aerosols and a blend
that self heated within 12 hours
The Protocol for Broiler – Breeder Manure
• The blend was windrowed using an Artex manure
box
• The surface was sprayed and lime applied to the
edge of the pile to control dark-winged beetles
• The pile was covered with a vapor barrier
• The pile was then covered with 4” of sawdust for
insulation
The Protocol for Broiler – Breeder Manure
The Protocol for Broiler – Breeder Manure
Temperature in Poultry Litter Windrows
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Time (days)
Tem
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oC
6"
3'
• CFIA Sign-Off - Release to Spread
The Protocol for Broiler – Breeder Manure
• Some of the layer manure was very wet – 70 to 80%
moisture and very dense
• No concern with aerosols – big concern with heat
development
The Protocol for Layer Manure
• The layer manure was blended with up to 1:1 manure to
sawdust or shavings (by volume)
• The windrow formation and management stayed the same
as for broiler breeders.
The Protocol for Layer Manure
• The last farm varied – we added forced aeration
• The poultry industry wanted rapid signoff on the manure
• Manure:sawdust in 1:1 v:v ratio
• 3” pipes on plastic on ground under a 14 ft wide by 6 ft high pile
The Protocol for Layer Manure
• We achieved 70 C within 24 hours – signoff in 3 days
• There was negligible odor
The Protocol for Layer Manure
Summary
• The protocol was successful 100% of the time
• Virus kill was achieved with minimal cost
• We used no to minimal bulking agent (maximum 1:1 by
volume with wet layer manure)
• There were no odor concerns and no flies associated
with process
• Passive aeration was successful with this virus
• Forced aeration is required to achieve higher
temperatures that may be required for other pathogenic
organisms
Other Interesting Tidbits
• We composted 31 tonnes of
chicken and eggs 90 ft from the
farm house.
• Recipe was 75% chicken and
eggs by weight
• Forced aeration on static pile
with biofilter material on top
• Zero odor
Other Interesting Tidbits
• We tried lime stabilization on manure – using quicklime
• Achieved 80 C in minutes
• Too much caustic lime dust
• Not conducive to batch process