| Collaborative Research: SitS NSF-UKRI: Dynamic coupling of soil structure and gas fluxes measured with distributed sensor systems: implications for carbon modeling | 1020619 | Illangasekare, Tissa | 09/01/2019 | 08/31/2024 | ACTIVE | Golden | gas exchange, greenhouse gas emissions, soil moisture, soil sensors, soil structure, soil monitoring, in-situ soil sensors, fiber optic | Organic carbon content and soil texture/compositions have the greatest effect on soil structure (aggregates and cracks) as well as the greatest impact on soil properties and function. Understanding carbon loading from soil-vegetation systems to the atmosphere is of critical importance to assess climate change drivers. Long-term experiments show that the content of soil organic carbon (SOC) is the result of a balance between the inputs and outputs of organic C. The main C inputs are plant roots and root exudates, above-ground plant residues and manures or other organic by-products . The outputs are the decomposition of organic matter by soil microorganisms and fauna leading to evolution of CO2 to the atmosphere (or CH4 under anaerobic conditions), leaching of soluble organic C compounds and particulate losses through erosion . Decomposition is normally the dominant output process and is controlled by clay content, temperature, moisture content and oxygen availability within the soil. Soils with a higher content of clay-sized particles, or higher cation exchange capacity, normally move towards a higher equilibrium content of organic C than sandy soil due to their greater capacity for stabilizing microbial metabolites . The clay and organic matter content also determine the shrinkage characteristics and hence how soil structure changes during the annual cycles of wetting and drying.An obstacle to progress our understanding of soil is a lack of spatio temporal data measured at high resolutionat field scales.This projectis to address this gap by intergrating spatially-distributed fiber optic sensing technology and in-ground WSN technologyto measure spatio temporal changes in fluxes of gaseous N2O, CO2, CH4 and O2, as well as soil strainwhich will be used to infer soil structural change.Spatially distributed measurement technology, based on the use of buried fiber optics and wireless sensornetwork sensors, have been commonly used in civil engineering. They can be used to measure strain anddepending on the coating over the fiber, water content and the concentrations of various gases includingO2, CO2, N2O and CH4. Such technology has considerable potential for use in agriculture,environmental and other vegetation monitoring, where typically sensors are point based (e.g. soil watercontent) and sampled manually. While gas emissions from soil can be measured at the field scale usingmicrometeorological techniques, the spatial distribution of emissions from the field is not known. Thepurpose of this project is to apply the spatially-distributed sensing technology used by civil engineers toagricultural and the natural environment. | The primary goal of this research is to develop two in-situ sensor systems that measure in-ground gas concentrations and strain/moisture/temperature/suction at relevant scales in the field to provide data on the dynamics of gas flux and soil structure. We propose to develop, deploy and test two distributed sensor systems for multi-scale soil condition monitoring because current approaches to sensing soil properties are point-based and cannot be sensibly used to obtain spatial patterns in the sensed variables. The proposed distributed fiber optic sensor system will provide wide-coverage data of (i) strain, (ii) temperature and (iii) selected gases, whereas the proposed in-ground mesh-based WSN system that utilizes magnetic induction-electromagnetic communication will measure (i) moisture, (ii) suction, (iii) temperature and (iv) selected gases.This project is a collaboration between three institutions: (1) University of California at Berkeley (UCB), (2) Colorado School of Mines (CSM), and (3) Rothamsted Research (RR), UK.The research is organized under six work packages.The project is planned under four broad tasks with specific objectives: (1) design and development of the integrated sensing systems, (2) testing the system under highly controlled conditions in a laboratory test system, (3) field deployment and modeling. The research tasks 1 and 2 that are primarily led by the two collaborating PIs at UCB and RR. The objectives of those two tasks are briefly presented. The USDA component of the funding assigned to the CSM PI primarily supports the second task involving the laboratory testing. More details on purpose, planned achievements, and milestones related to this task are provided. The overlapping activities among these three tasks are presented under methods in a later section.Sensing systemDistributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) is well adapted by the civil, oil and gas industry for strain, temperature, and acoustic monitoring applications, as it is one of the emerging technologies that take measurements at the meter-to-kilometer scale. The objective of this research task is to utilize the 15+ year experience on DFOS development at UCB, to develop two novel DFOS systems that measure strain/temperature changes of soil structure and (ii) soil gas concentration, at every 2 cm interval for more than 5 km length of fiber optic cable. To realize the multiscale monitoring concept promoted in this project, the meter-to-kilometer scale DFOS system will be used in combination with an innovative in-ground mesh-based wireless sensor network (WSN) system that provides local point measurements in a spatially distributed manner. Low power sensors to be used by RR will be implemented into the in-ground WSN system currently prototyped at UCB.Laboratory testingThe overall objective of this task is before conducting field validation studies at pilot scales, an approach that uses is proposed to test the developed integrated sensing system an intermediate-scale laboratory system.The intermediate-scale testing will be carried out at the closed-circuit, low-velocity climate-controlled (wind speed, temperature, relative humidity) porous media-wind tunnel operated by theCenter for Experimental Study of Subsurface Environmental Processes(CESEP) at the Colorado School of Mines (CSM). The primary advantage of intermediate-scale experimentation (generally defined as an intermediary between lab column and field scales with a maximum length of 10 m) is the ability for field-scale processes to be mimicked under highly controlled conditions.The objectives, expected results, and the milestones in each of the sub-tasks are summarized.Test method development - 6 monthsIn our past research using this test system, we have studied problems that involve mass and heat flux across the land/atmospheric interphase that couples atmospheric boundary layer to a porous medium.The objective of this research task is to develop testing methods specifically applicable to the soil sensing application.The measurements that need to be made include (1) soil moisture distribution, (2) soil temperature, (3) wind velocity, (4) humidity, and (5) gas concentration.Preliminary proof of concept experiments - 6 monthsThe objective of this task is to conduct a preliminary set of experiments under scenarios that are expected in the field.The experiments will be conducted using two types of test soils. In our past experiments, we have used sands whose hydraulic characteristics such as hydraulic conductivity, soil retention functions, relative permeability, and thermal conductivity have been determined.We propose to use silty soil from a field site in Colorado. As a part of this task, we will determine soil hydraulic and thermal characteristics. The test tank will be filled using the test soils. As at this stage the sensors that are developed at UCB are not available, we will use existing sensors in the test facility to run experiments to simulate expected field scenarios.Distributed sensor installation - 6 monthsAs the distributed sensor development at UCB will be in progress, it will not be possible to install a fully operational system in the test facility.The objective of this task is to complete a step vise installation and testing process of the sensing systems that are under development at UCB. Once the preliminary testing of each of the component of the integrated system is completed, we will work with the UCB collaborators to install the system in a CSM test tank. This testing of different components will be an iterative process as improvements to the design may have to be made based on the individual component testing.Laboratory testing of the integrated sensing system - 18 monthsThe objective of this task is the installation of the fully integrated sensing system in the laboratory testbed and conduct all the necessary tests before field deployment in at the site in the UK. The final experimental plan will depend on the methods, achievable soil-moisture controls, optimal vegetation distributions, and parameter sensitivities determined in WP1. The individual experiments will vary with respect to the following: (1) monolith depth; (2) grass cover at land-atmosphere interfaces; (4) land surfaces with micro-topographic features; (5) precipitation rates; (6) wind speed; and (7) humidity. The duration of the experiments will depend on many factors such as plant growth and soil-moisture control. Determination of the final configuration that will be optimal in the context of reliability, robustness, and accuracy will be a part of the testing strategy.This task will be closely corradiated with the UCB and FF collaborators to identify all issues and problems related to field installation. |
| Improving the Sustainability and Quality of Food and Dairy Products from Manufacturing to Consumption via Process Modeling and Edible Packaging | 0438139 | TOMASULA M M | 04/13/2020 | 11/30/2021 | COMPLETE | WYNDMOOR | MILK, CASEIN, DAIRY, ECONOMICS, CLIMATE, CHANGE, WASTE, STREAMS, ENERGY, USE, ELECTROSPINNING, MICRON, SCALE, CHEESE, WHEY, QUALITY, GREENHOUSE, GASES, WATER, RECOVERY, SIMULATION, MODEL, EDIBLE, FILMS, AND, COATING, NANOTECHNOLOGY, SHELF, LIFE | Not applicable | 1: Integrate new processes into the Fluid Milk Process Model (FMPM) to determine the effects of reductions in energy use, water use or waste on commercial dairy plant economics and greenhouse gas emissions. 1a: Develop benchmark simulations for configurations of stirred, set and strained curd yogurt processing plants in the U.S. that quantify energy use, economics, and greenhouse gas emissions, validated using data from industry. 1b: Use process simulation for evaluation of possible alternatives of whey utilization for the strained curd method of yogurt manufacture. 2: Integrate properties of edible films and coatings from dairy and food processing wastes with formulation strategies to better target commercial food and nonfood applications. 2a: Investigate thermal and mechanical properties of dairy protein-based edible films and coatings in real-life storage and utilization conditions. 2b: Apply new property findings to the investigation of useful and/or sustainable applications utilizing edible milk protein films. 3: Investigate the effects of different film-making technologies to manipulate the physical and functional properties of films and coatings made from agricultural materials. 3a: Investigate the effect of protein conformation on the ability to electrospin caseinates in aqueous solution and in the presence of a polysaccharide. 3b: Investigate the use of fluid milk, nonfat dry milk and milk protein concentrates as a source for production of electrospun fibers. 3c: Investigate the effects of edible and non-edible additives to the electrospun polysaccharide-caseinate fibers in aqueous solution. 4. Investigate techniques for separating components of dairy waste to determine their potential as ingredients. [C1,PS1A] 5. Investigate technologies for large-scale production of the ingredients identified in Objective 4, with products targeted to food applications. [C1, PS1A]. |
| Developing Technologies that Enable Growth and Profitability in the Commercial Conversion of Sugarcane, Sweet Sorghum, and Energy Beets into Sugar, Advanced Biofuels, and Bioproducts | 0426599 | KLASSON K T | 09/22/2014 | 09/02/2019 | ACTIVE | New Orleans | SUGARCANE, SWEET, SORGHUM, ENERGY, BEET, SUGAR, PRODUCTION, BIOFUELS, BIOPRODUCTS | Not applicable | The overall objective of this project is to enhance the value of sugarcane, sweet sorghum, and energy beets, and their major commercial products sugar, biofuel and bioproducts, by improving postharvest quality and processing. Specific objectives are: 1. Develop commercially-viable technologies that reduce or eliminate undesirable effects of starch and color on sugar processing/refining efficiency and end-product quality. 2. Develop commercially-viable technologies that reduce or eliminate undesirable effects of high viscosity on sugar processing/refining efficiency and end-product quality. 3. Develop commercially-viable technologies to increase the stability and lengthen storage of sugar feedstocks for the manufacture of sugars, advanced biofuels, and bioproducts. 4. Develop commercially-viable technologies for the biorefining of sugar crop feedstocks into advanced biofuels and bioproducts. 5. Identify and characterize field sugar crop quality traits that affect sugar crop refining/biorefining efficiency and end-product quality, and collaborate with plant breeders in the development of new cultivars/hybrids to optimize desirable quality traits. 6. Develop, in collaboration with commercial partners, technologies to improve the efficiency and profitability of U.S. sugar manufacturing and enable the commercial production of marketable products from residues (e.g. , bagasse, trash) and by-product streams (e.g., low purity juices) associated with postharvest sugar crop processing. Please see Project Plan for all listed Sub-objectives. |
| Integration of Site-Specific Crop Production Practices and Industrial and Animal Agricultural Byproducts to Improve Agricultural Competitiveness and Sustainability | 0425032 | JENKINS J N | 10/01/2013 | 09/30/2018 | ACTIVE | MISSISSIPPI STATE | PRECISION, FARMING, GEOGRAPHIC, INFORMATION, SYSTEM, (GIS), REMOTE, SENSING, (RS), WATER, SWINE, ANIMAL, WASTE, AMMONIA, SOIL, NUTRIENTS, PATHOGEN, NITROGEN, LITTER, LEACHING, CROPS, RUNOFF, BACTERIA, BROILER | Not applicable | Obj 1. Develop ecological and sustainable site-specific agriculture systems, for cotton, corn, wheat, and soybean rotations. 1: Geographical coordinates constitutes necessary and sufficient cornerstone required to define, develop and implement ecological/sustainable agricultural systems. 2: Develop methods of variable-rate manure application based on soil organic matter (SOM), apparent electrical conductivity, elevation, or crop yield maps. 3: Relate SOM, electrical conductivity, and elevation. Obj 2. Develop sustainable and scalable practices for site-specific integration of animal agriculture byproducts to improve food, feed, fiber, and feedstock production systems. 1: Quantify effects of management on sustainability for sweet potato. 2: Balance soil phosphorus (P)/micro¿nutrients using broiler litter/flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum. 3: Effects of site-specific broiler litter applications. 4: Manure application/crop management practices in southern U.S. 5: Compare banded/broadcast litter applications in corn. 6: Develop reflectance algorithms for potassium in wheat. 7: Determine swine mortality compost value in small farm vegetable production. Obj 3. Analyze the economics of production practices for site-specific integration of animal agriculture byproducts to identify practices that are economically sustainable, scalable, and that increase competitiveness and profitability of production systems. 1: Evaluate economics of on-farm resource utilization in the south. Obj 4. Determine the environmental effects in soil, water, and air from site-specific integration of animal agricultural and industrial byproducts into production practices to estimate risks and benefits from byproduct nutrients, microbes, and management practices. 1: Quantitatively determine bioaerosol transport. 2: Role of P and nitrogen (N) immobilizing agents in corn production. 3: Assess impact of management on water sources. 4: Impact of FGD gypsum/rainfall on mobilization of organic carbon/veterinary pharmaceutical compounds in runoff/leached water. 5: Assess soil microbial ecology, antibiotic resistance, and pathogen changes using manure and industrial byproducts in crop production systems. 6: Develop nutrient management practices for sustainable crop production. 7: Develop nutrient management practices for reclaimed coal mine soils. 8: Determine effects of poultry litter/swine lagoon effluent in swine mortality composts. 9: Determine survival of fecal bacterial pathogens on contaminated plant tissue. 10: Identify agricultural/industrial byproducts that modify the breakdown of organic matter. Obj 5. Integrate research data into regional and national databases and statistical models to improve competitiveness and sustainability of farming practices. 1: Develop broiler house emission models. 2: Apply quantitative microbial risk assessment models to animal agriculture/anthropogenic activities. Obj 6. Develop statistical approaches to integrate and analyze large and diverse spatial and temporal geo-referenced data sets derived from crop production systems that include ecological and natural resource based inputs. 1: Develop novel methods of imaging processing. |
| Management of Manure Nutrients, Environmental Contaminants, and Energy From Cattle and Swine Production Facilities | 0420053 | WOODBURY B L | 10/01/2010 | 09/30/2015 | COMPLETE | CLAY CENTER | FEEDLOT, SURFACING, MATERIAL, BEEF, MONOSLOPE, FACILITIES, ANAEROBIC, DIGESTION, ENERGY, RECOVERY, COAL-ASH, WDGS, GREENHOUSE, GASES, AIR, QUALITY, PATHOGENS | Not applicable | Obj.1: Develop precision techniques or other methods for the characterization and harvesting of feedlot manure packs in order to maximize nutrient and energy value and minimize environmental risk. Obj.2: Determine the fate and transport of antibiotics (e.g., monensin and tetracyclines) and pathogens (e.g., E.coli O157:H7 and Salmonella and Campylobacter) in beef cattle and swine facilities. Obj.3: Quantify and characterize air emissions from beef cattle and swine facilities to evaluate and improve management practices. Obj.4: Determine the risk and benefits of using coal-ash and other industrial byproducts as a component of surfacing material for feedlot pens. |
| Cell Wall Science & Technology | 0419190 | Frihart, C. | 10/01/2012 | 09/30/2022 | COMPLETE | MADISON | cell wall polymers~Bioenergy~biology~bioresins~cell wall architecture~cell wall ultrastructure~chemistry~mechanics~wood cell wall | Comprehend key chemical and structural aspects of the cell wall so that forest products utilization can be increased and improved for traditional and non-traditional uses. The overall goal is to establish a better understanding of the chemistry of the cell wall and how the cell wall polymers are spatially arranged with respect to each other at the molecular level, as well as the nanoscale level. | The focus of this problem is to bridge the fundamental understanding of wood cell wall chemistry, biology, and mechanics with novel and applied technologies involving wood cell walls. The fundamental aspects of the cell wall that we learn will be a foundation on which all developed technologies can be built upon. Aspects will include research surrounding cell wall ultrastructure and architecture on a micron-scale, nano-scale, and ÿngstrom-scale. The components of this area include: (1) characterizing cell wall polymers in native wood and modified wood; (2) establishing more accurate wood cell wall models; (3) understanding structure-property relationships via water/solvent/component inter-diffusion and infiltration in the matrix; (4) improving the cell wall properties (physical, mechanical, biological degradation, fire resistance, etc.); (5) utilizing cell wall polymers from trees and plants for bio-resins and bio-energy. |
| Renewable energy systems to improve small farm sustainability | 0231634 | Zehnder, Geoffrey | 07/20/2012 | 09/30/2016 | COMPLETE | CLEMSON | alternative energy, anaerobic digestion, black soldier fly digestion, farm, passive solar greenhouse heating, waste bioconversion | Increasing consumer demand for locally-grown produce in South Carolina and the region has created significant economic opportunities for small-scale growers through direct and wholesale marketing. However, with limited available resources producers need to find ways to reduce operating costs and identify new sources of revenue to give them a competitive edge in the marketplace. On-farm bioenergy production can help to offset the increasing costs of petroleum based fuels and fertilizers and improve farm profitability. Furthermore, compared to petroleum-based energy, bioenergy can reduce carbon dioxide emissions through its role in the carbon cycle. There are many ways to turn biological materials into energy and to reduce on-farm energy costs, although at present only a few represent practical and cost-effective options for small, limited resource farming operations. To our knowledge very few studies have been done in South Carolina to develop, demonstrate and evaluate renewable and sustainable energy systems for small farms as described below. This study will evaluate three energy systems for small farms; anaerobic digestion of waste for production of biogas, black soldier fly digestion of waste for production of compost and other value added products, and hydronic and passive solar greenhouse heating systems. Outputs from the project will include information on critical operating parameters for scale appropriate anaerobic digester and black soldier fly composting systems to be built at the Clemson Organic Farm. System costs and the value of energy savings and value-added products will be determined. Installation and operating costs and energy savings provided by the passive solar and hydronic heating systems will be quantified, and the systems will be evaluated for season extension vegetable production. The pilot systems will also be available for demonstration and training purposes. Information gained from design, construction and operation of the different systems will be utilized in development of recommendations to farmers interested in implementing the systems to reduce energy costs and increase farm profitability. The projected impact of the project will be to help farmers increase energy self-reliance and reduce their energy costs, and to provide them with information on how to create value-added products through bioconversion of waste materials. | The goal of the proposed research will be to help farmers increase energy self-reliance and reduce their energy costs, and to provide them with information on how to create value-added products through bioconversion of waste materials. Objectives: 1. Design, build and evaluate a scale-appropriate anaerobic digester system to generate biogas to provide supplemental greenhouse heating and to refrigerate the walk-in cooler at the Clemson Organic Farm. 2. Design, build and evaluate a Black Soldier Fly composting system at the Clemson Organic Farm for bioconversion of food and farm waste into compost, animal feed, and oil for biodiesel fuel production. 3. Compare the costs and energy savings of hydronic heating and passive solar components with conventional greenhouse heating systems for season extension vegetable production at the Clemson Organic Farm. |
| Accelerated Renewable Energy | 0228524 | MARKLEY, JOHN | 07/15/2012 | 07/14/2017 | COMPLETE | MADISON | Bio-diesel Bio-gas Ethanol, bio-diesel, bio-gas, cellulosic Fertilizer, custom Manure, dairy Polymer separations, economic analysis, ethanol, cellulosic, fertilizer, custom, manure, dairy, polymer separations, precision-ag | A dairy with 1,700 cows produces 15 tons of manure per day. To handle the manure, the dairy must recycle 2.5 million gallons of water per day. The conventional solutions to these problems are wash the manure into a lagoon, dredge and manure solids and haul them to fields. Manure on the fields may not provide the correct nutrients and is subject to running off and polluting rivers. Our goal is to demonstrate the economic feasibility on the scale of a large dairy farm (1,700) cows of converting the manure produced into valuable commodities including methane gas for heating purposes in the farm, fuel ethanol, and custom fertilizer. Part of the farm acreage (5%) will be devoted to oilseed production, which will be converted to biodiesel to power vehicles on the farm. Our approach utilizes biomass processing technology developed by a small Wisconsin business (Soil Net) and engineering and fabrication expertise of another small Wisconsin business (Braun Electric). We foresee a strong potential for commercialization of this technology and its widespread adoption. | We propose a public (University of Wisconsin-Madison) and private (Cottonwood Dairy; Soil Net, LLC; Braun Electric; Resource Engineering Associates, Inc.) collaboration that encompasses both R&D and prototypical farm-based demonstration of the four components of the BRDI FOA: 1. Feedstocks Development: The bioenergy generated will derive primarily from recycled cellulosic components of dairy manure, which have minimal food/fuel issues. 2. Bio-Fuels and Bio-based Products Development: The project will demonstrate/evaluate multiple sub-processes and associated "value added" bio-based co-products -- vegetable oil/meal; oil/biodiesel; cellulosic ethanol; bio-gas/manure digestion; recycled rinse water; low and high P (phosphorus) crop nutrients; and multiple cellulosic manure fiber "fractions" (for mulches, bedding, etc.). 3. Bio-Fuels and Bio-based Products Development Analysis: The project will evaluate (calibrate, implement, validate) economic, environmental, lifecycle, process efficiency, and mass balance analysis and incorporate these into a business decision/management framework. In particular, an analysis of the economics of scale of the various system components will form a major part of the research effort. 4. Use of Oil/Biodiesel for the Production of Grain or Cellulosic Ethanol: The proposed system will be capable of producing oil/biodiesel from vegetable oil seed produced on the farm. Our research will determine the economic benefits of biodiesel vs. purified vegetable oil for direct use in operating farm vehicles and machinery. The expected outcome is the demonstration of cost effective livestock manure separation and processing to produce bio-energy, bio-feedstocks, and value added co-products (mulch/fertilizers) for on-farm and off-farm ("export") markets that can be carried out at a variety of large/medium/small scales. This technology will provide opportunities to exploit readily available, relatively low value potential cellulosic bio-feedstocks-ones that largely avoid food/fuel concerns-to improve economic sustainability: on-farm substitution for purchased energy and feed/fertilizer nutrients or as potential farm revenue diversification; improve environmental sustainability. The approach will reduce GHG/carbon footprint, soil/nutrient losses, and potential manure borne pathogens; and, improve regional economic development. We have shown that a demand exists for many of the manure fiber (mulch/fertilizer) co-products. The flexibility to adopt one (or several) of process/flow components, sequentially, based on the specifics of extant farm infrastructure (manure type/volumes, manure handling/processing, etc.) increases the proposed project's commercialization potential. The extensive process/flow measurement and analysis R&D, at both lab/bench and commercial scale, will provide the analytic/measurement tools to evaluate the economic, environmental, food safety, and regional economic development impacts of this potential commercialization at a variety of resolutions (farm, county, region). |
| Development of Horticultural Containers from Anaerobically Digested Cow manure | 0211231 | Gardner, Perry | 09/01/2007 | 08/31/2009 | COMPLETE | EAST CANAAN | manure digester anaerobic nutrient cowpots | Freund's Farm, Inc. has developed an innovative process that transforms cow manure into value-added, biodegradable containers for horticultural use. Work performed to date has demonstrated that container pots can be molded from processed manure that offer the desired characteristics of biodegradability and decomposability, allow for exceptional penetration of plant roots through pot walls, and provide nutrient content. Further work is needed to improve the efficiency and consistency of the solids separation done on the discharge from the anaerobic digester since the solids stream is the source of material that is ultimately used to form the pots. Also further work is needed to determine if it is possible to use the bio-gas in a direct fired drying unit without imparting undesirable odor to the horticultural containers. This utilization of the bio-gas will help the product economics if it can be done satisfactorily. The work to be performed under this grant will
characterize and identify the solids separation method that separates solids from the liquid manure discharging from the anaerobic digester. This project will also determine the practicality of direct firing bio-gas fuel generated from the digester to efficiently dry the formed horticultural pots in a manufacturing facility. Prototype horticultural containers will be fabricated using Freund's Farm's existing manure digester and pulp molding equipment. The test pots formed will be tested for horticultural performance and odor at the University of Connecticut and in a greenhouse and farm settings. | The project is broken down into 3 separate but related work efforts called Experiments. EXPERIMENT 1 Solids Separation The objective of Experiment 1 is to research methods of manure solids separation to reduce water content consistently to facilitate composting. The solids separation has been accomplished with a single stage screw press but this alone it is not practical to routinely control the moisture content of the solids separated to the degree and consistency needed. High and inconsistent moisture levels in the solids that feed the in-vessel composter have resulted in inconsistent modification of fiber characteristics. These variations in the fibers cause variation in the quality of the molded pots. Investigation of the options to make the separation a proven two step process will be researched EXPERIMENT 2 Bio-gas fuel The objective of Experiment 2 is to research methods required to replace indirect fired oil heat with direct fired bio-gas in the drying ovens.
Biogas is produced from the Freund manure digester. Biogas is a potential fuel, available for manufacturing horticultural containers. Because bio-gas is a low heat fuel, it is necessary to direct fire a dryer to reasonably use the gas. The primary concern with direct fired bio-gas is that it will impart an odor or other undesirable properties(effecting horticultural performance) to the pots or deposit by -products of combustion that are harmful to plant development EXPERIMENT 3 Phytotoxicity The objective of Experiment 3 is to research the plant growth characteristics using the horticultural containers. Previous trials with different formulations of manure pots have produced inconsistent results. In some trials manure pots were superior to conventional peat pots, and apparently provided available nutrients. In some cases, manure pots were inferior, but the cause was not evident. The production process has evolved to the point that re-evaluation of current process pots is warranted.
The changes induced with the work in experiments 1 and 2 also cause the need to test the effect, if any, of those changes. The objectives of this research are: 1. To evaluate manure pots for effects on plant growth prior to transplant. This objective will include the effects of source material characteristics on the performance of manure fiber pots. The primary focus will be on the potential for growth stimulation from nutrients supplied by the pots, and potential negative effects including stunting or phytotoxicity. 2. To investigate cause(s) if stunting or phytotoxicity is observed. 3. To evaluate physical properties of manure pots relevant to production and transplanting, including durability and root breakthrough. |
| Animal Manure and Waste Utilization, Treatment and Nuisance Avoidance for a Sustainable Agriculture | 0191080 | Theegala, C. | 10/01/2001 | 09/30/2007 | COMPLETE | SHREVEPORT | livestock, pollution control, animal waste, water quality, environmental impact, manures, waste treatment, sustainable agriculture, agricultural engineering, waste management, land application, optimization, waste utilization, process development, dairy cattle, pastures, fecal coliforms, runoff, rain simulation, measurement, monitoring, nitrogen, phosphorus, nutrient balance, crop residues, aquaculture, composting, automation, control systems | Grazing of cattle and land application of animal manure are common agricultural practices. Assessment of pollutant transport from grazed pastures and development of treatment options for animal manures are needed in order to protect Louisiana's water resources. The water quality impacts of grazing dairy cattle on pasture will be studied in regard to fecal coliform content in runoff water. As part of an ongoing study, pasture plots will be artificially dosed with dairy cow manure in a manner similar to natural deposition during grazing. | 1. Develop management tools, strategies, and systems for land application of animal manures and effluents that optimize efficient, environmentally friendly utilization of nutrients and are compatible with sustained land and water quality. 2. Develop, evaluate, and refine physical, chemical and biological treatment processes in engineered and natural systems for management of manures and other wastes. |
| Reducing the Environmental Impact of Food Animal Production | 0185866 | Classen, J | 10/01/2012 | 09/30/2017 | COMPLETE | RALEIGH | animal production, manure management, resource recovery, sustainability, systems analysis | Demand for food and especially for animal products is expected to double in the coming decades due to population increases and expected higher living standards of parts of the world. Resources needed to produce these products are under increasing stress imposing limits on soil, water, nutrients and energy availability and quality. At the same time, public interest in how our food animals are raised is also increasing, with questions about food safety, animal welfare, organic methods, environmental pollution, costs, and jobs. Potential benefits of recent and current research have not been fully integrated into stakeholder tools because of the complex interactions of the production systems, management systems, and social systems in which they function. This project will not only continue to develop the needed tools and techniques but will also work to integrate the results of these tools with existing tools to generate meaningful options with expected impacts on production, emissions, and resource consumption. Results will be useful to the general public's understanding of our food system as well as to policy makers and producers asking questions about what technologies are available, what will happen if a specific technology or mix of technologies is implemented. | The goal of this project is to develop tools that will help the food animal production industry reduce adverse ecological impacts, improve sustainability, and increase productivity. Specific objectives are to: 1. Develop, evaluate, and optimize processes and systems to reduce resource use, increase recovery of renewable products, and quantify tradeoffs in economic and social sustainability. 2. Define significant gaps in knowledge that limit our ability to identify economically, environmentally, and socially optimal food animal production and waste management systems. 3. Develop preliminary models of the swine and poultry industries that facilitate understanding of the interactions between livestock production, natural resource use, environmental and ecological variables, economic indicators and societal concerns to sustainably meet the future demands for animal products. |
| ENVIRONMENTAL BEHAVIOR OF EMERGING ORGANIC CHEMICALS OF CONCERN | 0161008 | Lee, Linda | 10/01/2010 | 09/30/2015 | COMPLETE | WEST LAFAYETTE | aerobic degradation anaerobic degradation, bisolids, dissolved organic material, perfluorinated compounds, persistence, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, telomer compounds | The physical, chemical, and biological processes control persistence, distribution, and potential human and ecological exposure of contaminants in the soil, water, and in some cases, complex waste environment. Both applied and basic research will be conducted to address environmental fate of emerging organic compounds of concern (human pharmaceuticals and personal care products, PPCPs) and perfluorinated organic chemicals used in rendering textile fabrics stain-resistant and in aqueous fire fighting foams used to fight fires. Specific objectives include: (1) assessing the fate of emerging organic compounds of concern in land-applied biosolids; and (2) quantifying the abiotic and biotransformation potential in soil, aquifers, water, and landfill systems of perfluorinated compounds. Information will be critical to the development of management and remediation alternatives for reducing the release and transport of these compounds of concern released through land application of biosolids, discharged form wastewater treatment facilities, used-product placement in landfills, and military fire-training exercises. | The goal of this program is to identify and quantify reactions that control the persistence and distribution of organic contaminants in the soil and water environment, which directly influence their potential towards human and ecological exposure. Specific objectives for the next 5 years include: (1) Quantify the fate of emerging organic compounds of concern (human pharmaceuticals and personal care products, PPCPs) in land-applied biosolids; and (2) Quantify the abiotic and biotransformation potential in soil, aquifers, water, landfill systems, and the subsurface under military fire-training areas of perfluorinated compounds used for rendering textile fabrics stain resistant and in aqueous film-forming foams. |