Abstract
Granulation technique of animal manure compost was examined using liquid form binding agents and a widely used simple concrete mixer. The binding agent used was recovered material from advanced swine wastewater treatment facility in which calcium silicate hydrate (CSH) was added to biologically treated swine wastewater for reducing phosphate, color, and coliform bacteria. Recovered material is slurry of phosphate adsorbed CSH with some viscosity. Two kilogram cattle manure compost passed through 1mm mesh sieve (moisture content 31.8%) was fed to the concrete mixer (effective capacity 140L). The recovered CSH slurry of 0.2L was added to the compost every five minutes until the granulation of mixed material became apparent. The diameter of most granulated compost was 5-30mm after adding 1.6L of recovered CSH slurry. Strength of the granulated compost determined by hardness meter after air drying was 0.40-0.78kg/cm2. Those results suggest that the granulated compost would be suitable for broadcasting by chemical fertilizer broadcaster.
