Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
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.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
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.
Project Methods
The project is broken down into 3 separate but related work efforts called Experiments. EXPERIMENT 1 Solids Separation - The approach to this work will be to investigate the options to make the separation a two step process focused on being able to adjust to the varying characteristic of the digester effluent. After equipment trials are complete, appropriate equipment will be leased and installed to run an extended trial through the four seasons to prove the ability to routinely control the composting step with consistent material moisture inputs. The results will be measured by the measurement of the horticultural and mechanical characteristics of the pots in University, commercial greenhouse and the farm environment. EXPERIMENT 2 Digester Bio-gas Fuel - The approach to this work will be to construct a pilot batch dryer that will run on both bio-gas and fuel oil and be direct fired. The design will allow for adaptation to propane if necessary. The primary need is to
determine that the pots are not encumbered with an unacceptable odor and that their ability to nurture plant development is not compromised by exhaust gas products. The economic feasibility of using bio-gas as the fuel source for horticultural pot drying will be determined from the results. Building and operating a pilot test dryer is the only alternative for testing direct fired bio-gas drying for this product. Bio-gas has been used for drying agricultural products and waste sludge in sewage treatment plants, however, odor of the final product was not a consideration. Drying equipment suitable for horticultural pot drying and built to withstand the environment generated by the exhaust gases from the combustion of bio-gas is not on the market. The results will be measured by the measurement of the horticultural and mechanical characteristics of the pots in University, commercial greenhouse and the farm environment. EXPERIMENT 3 Phytotoxicity Experiments will be conducted in the
Floriculture greenhouse at the University of Connecticut. Horticultural containers will be obtained from Freund's Farm as manufactured. Peat pots (Jiffy Products, Batavia, IL) of a similar size will be used as controls. Standard growth trials will be conducted with each batch as received. Trials will include three species of plants. Plants will be grown from direct seeding in the pot to transplant stage, approximately six weeks Seeds will be germinated in a mist bed using bottom heat to ensure rapid and consistent emergence. Standard methods will be used for fertilizer application, irrigation to generate an array of combinations various nutrient and water exposure combinations. Pots and plant tissue samples will be analyzed for nutrient content using standard procedures at the UConn Plant Nutrient Analysis Laboratory. Durability and root grow-out will be evaluated based on subjective observations.