Sludge Management for Anaerobic Lagoons and Runoff Holding Ponds Amy Millmier Schmidt, Livestock Bioenvironmental Engineer
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® ® University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Know how. Know now. G1371 (Revised April 2013) Sludge Management for Anaerobic Lagoons and Runoff Holding Ponds Amy Millmier Schmidt, Livestock Bioenvironmental Engineer Annual sludge accumulation volume in an anaerobic This NebGuide defines critical issues to be addressed lagoon is estimated by the following equation (Natural by a sludge and sediment management plan for anaerobic Resources Conservation Service, 1992): lagoons and outdoor lot holding ponds. SV = 365 x AU x TS x SAR x T (Equation 1) Nebraska’s permit process for a Livestock Waste Control where: Facility (LWCF) requires a sludge and sediment management plan. The Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality AU = Number of 1,000 pound animal units (NDEQ) must approve this plan prior to issuing an NDEQ SV = Sludge volume in cubic feet operating permit to a livestock operation. T = Sludge accumulation time (years) TS = Total solids production per animal unit per Current Knowledge day (lb/AU/day) SAR = Sludge accumulation ratio (ft3/lb TS). See Preparing a sludge management plan should include Table I. recognizing our current knowledge of earthen structures. In this publication, an anaerobic lagoon refers to an impound- Table I. Sludge accumulation ratio (anaerobic lagoons only) and total ment with a permanent liquid pool for encouraging biological solids production for livestock. breakdown of manure and a storage volume. A runoff holding Total Solids Production (pounds/day/1,000 pond refers to an impoundment with a storage volume only pounds live weight) SAR for collecting storm water runoff from an outdoor lot such as Dairy 0.0728 a cattle feedlot. The following summary lists some critical Lactating cow 12.5 factors to consider when planning. Dry cow 11.6 Heifer 10.7 Three distinctly different zones are likely to be found Beef (feeder cattle) 5.9 No published value. within an anaerobic lagoon (Figure 1). First, an accumula- Use dairy cattle value. Swine 0.0485 tion of inert solids, likely high in phosphorus, is found in the Nursery 10.6 vicinity of the inflow pipe(s) from the animal housing. This Grower/finisher 6.3 sediment is solid in nature with an easily identifiable interface Lactating sow 6.0 Gestating sow 2.5 between the solids and the slurry. Second, above this zone, a Poultry moderately viscous sludge (applesauce or pudding consistency) Layer 15.1 0.0295 high in nutrients, bacteria, and organic matter is commonly Broiler 20.0 0.455 found. This sludge layer may occur in mounds rather than in Turkey 10.9 an evenly distributed layer on the bottom of the lagoon. This Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook, 1992. material can be handled by pumps designed for higher solids (e.g., dairy manure slurry) applications. It is biologically active Sludge is rich in nutrients, particularly phosphorus. and the likely source of much of the anaerobic degradation Phosphorus will often be the limiting nutrient for defining occurring in a lagoon. Lastly, above the sludge layer is a liquid land requirements and application rates. An estimate of the layer low in solids, moderately rich in nutrients, and easily phosphorous accumulation over time can be made from Table pumped with irrigation pumps. II. Regular removal of some sludge is desirable to avoid an accumulation of phosphorus beyond what can be agronomically Liquid applied in available cropland. However, sludge should never be totally removed due to its contribution to the biological Sludge Solids treatment processes of a lagoon. Figure 1. An anaerobic lagoon will contain solids, sludge, and liquid Sludge and solids removal practices that ensure liner layers as a result of manure additions. integrity are essential. Mechanical damage or liner erosion during sludge removal should be avoided. Earthen manure be used to collect a lagoon sample at the desired trigger storage structures with well-designed, constructed, and depth. A visual inspection of the sample’s clarity will maintained liners experience less seepage. Manure will define whether or not sludge has reached this trigger also reduce seepage rates in most situations due to physical, point. For a completely empty runoff holding pond, a chemical, and biological processes that contribute to the permanent marking pole indicating the required depth clogging of soil pores. to provide sufficient volume will aid a visual inspection and sludge removal decisions. Principles of Sludge Management An alternative method for monitoring sludge accumula- Regular sludge and solids removal should be a part of tion is to visually check at the time the lagoon is pumped the management of any anaerobic lagoons and open lot runoff to its lowest seasonal level. A visual check of the lagoon holding ponds. The following principles apply primarily to an surface after draw-down or the last lagoon liquid pumped anaerobic lagoon. Some are applicable to the management of would confirm an accumulation of sludge fully occupying solids entering a runoff holding pond. the lagoon’s permanent pool. The appearance of sludge at this time should trigger sludge removal. 1. Identify practices minimizing sludge accumulation. Set- tling basins and mechanical separators can substantially 4. Do not remove the last 2 feet of accumulated sludge reduce sludge buildup in a lagoon or runoff holding pond. (anaerobic lagoon only). The sludge represents the bio- Efforts to minimize sludge accumulation should be noted logically active portion of the lagoon with significant in the management plan. bacteria population for anaerobic processes. Removal of significantly more sludge would adversely affect the 2. Identify the trigger point when sludge accumulation is manure treatment process and odor control benefits of to be pumped down. The lagoon design should include a the lagoon. design depth or volume for the accumulation of sludge. This depth should serve as a trigger point for sludge 5. Protect the integrity of the earthen liner. Liner integrity removal. If this point is not defined for an anaerobic can be compromised by both aggressive agitation and use lagoon, the trigger point for pumping of the sludge ac- of front end loaders or backhoes for removal of solids. If cumulation should be set at a depth less than the lagoon’s agitation is used, appropriately located concrete pads for permanent liquid pool depth. For a runoff holding pond, positioning agitation equipment will reduce liner erosion. the trigger point should allow sufficient pond volume to For open lot runoff holding ponds, installation of a properly handle a 25-year, 24-hour storm plus normal runoff stor- designed settling basin to trap solids ahead of the pond is age required between periods of land application plus 1 preferred. This will limit the need for entering the pond foot of freeboard. with heavy equipment for solids removal. If a settling 3. Monitor the sludge accumulation relative to the trigger basin is not available, a concrete access ramp and pond point. This can be done in one of two ways. First, sludge bottom would be desirable. If neither option is available, accumulation can be predicted using Equation 1 and completely drain all liquids and allow sufficient time for Table I. When the predicted accumulation is approaching drying before removing solids. Operating heavy equip- the trigger point, a direct measure should be made. For ment under wet conditions will damage the liner. an anaerobic lagoon, a horizontal water bottle sampler, 6. Land apply the sludge and solids to cropland at agronomic commonly used for lake sampling at a single depth, can rates. Sludge and solids are likely to have significant Table II. Estimate of phosphorus accumulation in the sludge and settled solids of an anaerobic lagoon that is not agitated during annual pumpdown. Does not apply to a manure storage or runoff holding pond for an outdoor lot. Number of animals Sludge P2O5 accumulation factor Years between sludge Total P2O5 in sludge and (average one-time capacity) (pounds P2O5 per year) removal solids (pounds) Example: Finish 1,000 X 7 X 10 = 70,000 Swine Nursery X 2 X = Grow/finish X 7 X = Sows and litter X 30 X = Sows (gestation) and boars X 11 X = Dairy Lactating cows X 100 X = Dry cow X 40 X = Poultry Layer/Broiler X 0.6 X = Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Agricultural Waste Management Field Handbook, 1992. Assumes 65 percent of the phosphorus excreted by the animals settles into the sludge or settled solids. Table III. Estimated phosphorus removal by alternative crops. Years of P2O5 supplied P2O5 application rate Crop P2O5 removal Estimated yield (3 years suggested) (lb P2O5/ac) Example: Grain corn 0.4 lb/bu X 150 X 3 = 180 lb/ac Corn, sorghum, and small grains 0.4 lb/bu X X = Corn silage 2.9 lb/ton X X = Sorghum silage 2.6 lb/ton X X = Alfalfa 11.0 lb/ton X X = Most grasses 13 to 18 lb/ton X X = Table IV. Estimated land requirements for sludge or slurry application at agronomic rates. Source of Total P2O5 in sludge and solids Fraction to be removed Desired P2O5 application rate Land area required nutrients (Table I) (Between 0 and 1) (Table II) P2O5 Example: Swine lagoon sludge 70,000 pounds X 0.5 ÷ 180 pounds/acre = 190 acres from 10-year accumulation X ÷ = quantities of nutrients, especially phosphorus. Pro cedures Solids Removal should be defined for analyzing nutrients, estimating the desired application rate, and performing field measure- Mechanical agitation or biological suspension is necessary ment of the actual application rate. Refer to NebGuide to suspend the settled solids that accumulate primarily near G1335, Determining Crop Available Nutrients in Manure the manure inlet to the lagoon or pond. Since the accumula- and Extension Circular EC117, Fertilizer Suggestions for tion of inert solids is generally heaviest near the manure inlet, Corn.