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Study of biological stabilization processes of cattle and poultry manure by thermogravimetric analysis and (13)C NMR.

Gómez X, Diaz MC, Cooper M, Blanco D, Morán A, Snape CE

Chemical Engineering Department, University of León, IRENA-ESTIA, Avda. de Portugal 41, León 24071, Spain.

The biological stabilization process of cattle and poultry manure was studied using thermogravimetric analysis and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance. The stabilization processes carried out were composting, anaerobic digestion and a mixed process (partly aerobic, partly anaerobic). It was observed from the analyzed samples that the biological stabilization processes reduce the volatile content of the bio-wastes and increase the degree of aromaticity. The stabilization of cattle manure by means of aerobic processes was able to further oxidize and enriched in aromatic compounds the bio-waste when compared with the digestion process. On the other hand, the stabilization of poultry manure resulted in a greater aromatization under the digestion process. Stabilized samples with a high degree of aromaticity presented a lower volatile content accompanied by a reduction in the intensity of the differential thermogravimetry peak registered under an inert atmosphere, indicative of the thermal decomposition of the organic matter. The thermal decomposition of all the analyzed materials (fresh and stabilized samples) commenced at around 200 degrees C but for the digested poultry manure, which decomposition initiated close to 250 degrees C. All stabilized samples yielded a lower degree of volatilization to that one observed in fresh samples.

Published 19 June 2007 in Chemosphere, 68(10): 1889-97.
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