Performance of the IESS Biokinetic Air Waste Treatment System on a Swine Farm

Alternative waste management systems are being evaluated for swine farms in N. C. IESS, Inc. installed an aeration pond treatment system with goals of reducing odor and ammonia emissions, and reducing nitrogen to be land applied. The IESS biokinetic aeration system was installed on a commercial hog farm for treating 190 m3/d (50,000 gal./d) of liquid from a swine anaerobic lagoon. Performance of the treatment system is reported for a 17-month period (Nov. 2000 - March 2002). Nitrification, based on increased nitrite and nitrate levels in the aeration pond, varied with temperature. Dissolved oxygen levels have been variable, but has often been below the desired minimum of 3 mg/L. Effluent from the aeration pond has low odor, usually low total ammonia, and variable amount of nitrate/nitrite nitrogen.