Effects of Microwave Radiation on the Moisture Content and Subsequent Aerobic Composting of Pig Manure

In this experiment, we hypothesized that pre-conditioning pig manure with microwave radiation can effectively eliminate moisture and consequently, cut down a need for expensive sawdust. For the experiment, pig manure/sawdust mixture of water content 79% was divided into 4 groups and each of them were treated with microwave for predetermined time periods, 5, 10, 15, 20 minutes. Subsequently, they were transferred to chambers (20 L) and aerobically composted. During the 2 weeks composting, air was supplied using blower (150 L per 1 m 3 ) and temperature and other variables were monitored continuously. When the data were analyzed, it was found, (1) moisture content was significantly decreased as radiation period extended. (2) weight reduction of compost after completion of composting was noticeably bigger in 15 min radiated group(31%), compared with 5 min (24.6%), 10 min (21.4%), 20 min (27.2%) radiated groups.