Agricultural waste treatment

Helping farmers find a sustainable composting solution

Agricultural Waste Management

Agricultural waste, a rich and varied raw material, can be efficiently transformed through composting and co-composting. This section addresses the specifics of valorizing these wastes, including their structure, chemical composition, and moisture content, which are essential for producing homogeneous and high-quality compost.

Characterization of Agricultural Wastes

  • Qualitative control: Analysis of structure, size, and chemical composition.
  • Moisture content: The importance of moisturizing for wastes with less than 50% dry matter.

Manure

Manure: A Key Resource in Composting

Varieties of Valuable Manures Poultry, cattle, sheep, goat, and horse manure. Carbon Additions The addition of carbon-rich co-products to balance the composition of different types of manures.

Droppings

Manure: High in Fertilizing Elements

Characteristics Rich in nutrients but with a low dry matter content. Mixing with Co-products Necessary to balance dry and wet matter, essential for effective composting.

Slurry

Manure Management: Handling the Liquid Component

Challenges The predominance of the liquid element requires blending with carbonaceous structuring agents (straw, green waste, etc.). Types of Manure Pig, duck, cattle, etc., with specific approaches for each type of manure.
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Types of waste

Discover the diversity of compostable waste: agricultural, industrial and municipal, and how to turn it into a valuable resource.

The VAL'ID solution

Explore VAL’ID’s innovative technology for fast, efficient composting without turning, guaranteeing a top-quality product.

Waste maturation

Understand the importance of maturation in composting, a key stage in obtaining rich, fertile compost that is beneficial to agriculture.

Waste recovery

Learn how composting transforms waste into a natural fertilizer, contributing to sustainable agriculture and environmental protection.

How does the transformation of agricultural waste into compost work?

Manure Transformation into Compost

Optimizing the Composting Process Manure, primarily derived from livestock, is a biomass rich in organic matter. Its transformation into compost is an aerobic biological process that requires controlled management of physicochemical parameters, such as the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio, pH, aeration, and moisture content. An ideal C/N ratio is between 25:1 and 30:1, allowing microorganisms to efficiently decompose the organic matter. Aeration and Temperature Control Adequate aeration is crucial for maintaining microbial activity. It not only supplies oxygen but also helps regulate the temperature of the compost, which can naturally rise to 55-65°C during the thermophilic decomposition phase. This temperature increase is beneficial as it contributes to the destruction of pathogens and weed seeds.

Treatment and Valorization of Manure

Balancing Dry and Wet Matter Manure, especially from poultry, is particularly rich in nitrogen and phosphorus. However, its high water content often necessitates the addition of dry materials, such as straw or sawdust, to absorb excess moisture and balance the mix. This facilitates aeration and achieves homogeneous decomposition. Co-composting with Co-products Co-composting manure with carbonaceous materials helps adjust the C/N ratio and promotes balanced composting. This technique also optimizes the compost maturation process, improving its quality and fertilizing value for agricultural soils.

Innovative Management of Slurry

Incorporating Carbon Structuring Agents Slurry mainly consists of water, dissolved organic matter, and nutrients. Composting it requires adding carbon structuring agents to increase the mix’s porosity and promote oxygenation. Materials like chopped straw, wood chips, or green waste are frequently used. Phase Separation Systems Phase separation systems can be used to separate the solid fraction from the liquid fraction of the slurry. The solid part can then be composted, while the liquid fraction is often treated separately, for example, through methanization or direct spreading after appropriate treatment to reduce pollution risks.
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