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H2S Control Liquid Manure Storage Practices - Composting
Composting can control hydrogen sulfide from solid manure because it maintains an aerobic environment in the manure. Hydrogen sulfide reduction benefits are not well documented. Disadvantages of composting include the high levels of management required to keep the process timely: minimal management leads to slow decomposition, whereas intensive management can lead to quick decomposition. Another disadvantage is the need to bring in a bulking agent (newspaper, straw, wood chips) to maintain a balance of carbon and nitrogen during the decomposition process. Loss of nitrogen to the atmosphere, primarily as ammonia, is a problem that needs to be weighed carefully when considering this option, particularly when controlling ammonia emissions is also an objective. Composting is a better option for operations that handle solid manure. Liquid systems will require either some type of drying process or a large amount of bulking agents to avoid problems during the composting process. Extension Publications
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Facilities
should be covered to prevent runoff due to precipitation, and storage
on a compacted area will prevent leaching of nutrients. Composting
costs involve construction of the site with compacted floor and
roof, and continuous maintenance of the compost with appropriate
equipment to turn and aerate the pile. For example, a 4x 6x3 ft.-deep
pile may be turned more properly with a small skid loader, whereas
a considerably larger pile could be better handled with a front-end
loader.
