High Rapid Composting of Dairy Cattle Manure with Crop and Forest Residues

Abstract

DAIRY manure was composted in a batch type enclosed composter without regular mixing for 7 days. The maximum decomposition was obtained in the range of 65 to 70 °C at initial moisture content as between 55.5 and 64.6% (w.b.), initial pH value 7.8 to 8.3 and 0.87 to 1.07 L/min-kg per volatile matter of air. Carbon dioxide content in effluent gas was around 4.7 to 7.5% per volume at 68 °C. Stabilization time for the plateau temperature (70 to 75 °C) must be related to the aeration rate and moisture content in compost mass. The mixed manure with straw was a valuable acid soil conditioner.