For more: http://www.extension.org/67673 Solid-liquid separation of animal manures and other agricultural products can be an integral part of a livestock operation ranging from improved facility performance to enhanced nutrient management. A document entitled “Solid-Liquid Separation Alternatives for Manure Handling and Treatment” is being created through work by Clemson University and funding from USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service. The purpose of this document is to assist in solid-liquid separation technology selection, evaluation of separation performance, and quantifying the impact of solid-liquid separation on manure management. This presentation will provide an outline of this document including methods of solid-liquid separation, influence of manure characteristics and handling methods, fundamentals of solid-liquid separation, performance of various solid-liquid separation technologies, separation enhancement methods, and design considerations. An overview of various farm scale separation technologies is also presented in the solid-liquid separation document.

1. Solid-Liquid Separation
Alternatives for Manure
Handling and Treatment
Document
Jeff Porter
Environmental Engineer
USDA-NRCS
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Dr. John Chastain
Associate Professor
Clemson University

5. Objectives
 Background of the document
 Overview of the document
 Uses of the document
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6. Progress
 NRCS Conservation Practice
Standards
− > 160 standards
− > 20 related to waste management
 Solid/liquid separation is the basis
for many of the other waste
management standards
 No good single document on
information and planning of
solid/liquid separation methods
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7. Progress
 Piedmont – South Atlantic Coast
Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit
(CESU) with Clemson University
 Dr. John Chastain, Associate
Professor, School of
Agricultural, Forests and
Environmental Sciences – Principle
Investigator
 Goal – 70 to 100 page document
outlining solid/liquid waste
separation
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8. To Date
 Still in draft with approximately 300
pages
 Expected completion – June 2013
 Handbook for NRCS staff and others
for design guidance on the selection
and evaluation of solid/liquid
separation technologies
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9. Content
 Methods of Solid/Liquid Separation
− Methods based on density
− Methods based on particle size
 Influence of Manure Characteristics
and Handling Methods on Selection
− Animal Types
− Benefits of Solid/Liquid Separation
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10. Content
 Fundamentals of Solid/Liquid
Separation
− Screening and entrainment
− Settling theory
 Solid/Liquid Performance
− Concentration reduction
− Mass removal
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11. Content
 High Rate Separation Methods
− Coagulants and Flocculants
− Advanced innovative technologies
 Sand Separation
− Sand laden manure
− Mechanical methods
− Non-mechanical methods
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12. Content
 Other Separation Methods
− Weeping wall
− Geotextile (bio-bag)
− Sand filtration
 Design Considerations
− Single stage
− Multiple stage
− Cost/benefit considerations
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13. Content
 Appendices
− Overview of FPPC Solid/Liquid
separation projects
− Guidelines for evaluating coagulant
and polymer dose
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14. Uses/Users
 NRCS staff for planning animal
waste systems
 Design guidance on selection of
solid/liquid separator technologies
 Evaluation of solid/liquid separator
performance
 Outside sources
− Other agencies
− Universities
− Consultants
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15. Where Do We Go From Here?
 Complete draft and review
 Review by NRCS editors
 Make available in NRCS National
Engineering Handbook (location to
be determined)
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16. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination against its customers, employees, and
applicants for employment on the bases of
race, color, national
origin, age, disability, sex, gender
identity, religion, reprisal, and where
applicable, political beliefs, marital status, familial or
parental status, sexual orientation, or all or part of an
individual's income is derived from any public
assistance program, or protected genetic information
in employment or in any program or activity
conducted or funded by the Department. (Not all
prohibited bases will apply to all programs and/or
employment activities.)
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