Increasing Usability and Decreasing Risk

Of Municipal and Animal Confinement Waste Using

Moorhead Technologies, Incorporated

Enzyme Technology

The release of volatile gases, especially gaseous ammonia (NH3) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), is readily controlled by application of AGRICYCLEª ACE Enzymatic Catalyst and ABC 400ª Aerobic Microbes. The enzyme technology acts as a catalyst, wherein only small amounts of the material are necessary to produce large reactions. This is unlike direct acting chemical technologies that require proportionate or linear volumes in applications to result in linear increments in effect.

Nitrogen and Ammonia

Moorhead Technologies, Incorporated believes that AGRICYCLEª ACE, rather than encapsulating the N ion, holds the N ion in solution to allow the fourth H ion to attach, creating the NH4+ that normally, through natural biological processes, occurs in the earth over an extended period of time. Normally this process, known as nitrification, is a two step biological process in which the ammonium ion (NH3+ or NH4+) is first converted to nitrite (NO2-) by bacteria of the genus Nitrosomonas, and the nitrite is converted to nitrate (NO3-) by bacteria of the genus Nitrobacter. The process is the same regardless of where the ammonium ion originates. The shortcoming with the natural process is that a very large percentage of the nitrogen is volatilized during storage, and even more is volatilized as NH3 at the time of spreading, such that at least 60% and as much as 80% of the NH3+ nitrogen is lost.

Under anaerobic conditions, soil bacteria can contribute to denitrification, or the reduction of nitrates and nitrites, resulting in the loss of nitrogen oxides N2O, NO, and N2 into the air. This usually happens when the soil is waterlogged, poorly aerated, and has a large amount of oxidizable carbon sources such as plant stalks or other residue. AGRICYCLEª ACE enzyme-treated waste may tend to discriminate against these anaerobes and possibly reduce the potential for denitrification.

Under normal conditions, urinary nitrogen present in most biosolids is available as urea, but it is generally difficult if not impossible to control the amount or timing of N release from untreated biosolids. This difficulty actually increases the environmental risk, compared to commercial fertilizers, when biosolids are used in a conventional way as the primary source of plant nutrients. Having the bulk of ammonia in the liquid NH4 form makes this release easier to control.

Once NH4 is formed, it is stable and will not be lost unless denitrification occurs. Denitrification normally requires a long period of time in heavy, wet clay soil, so even at spreading, the NH4 will continue its natural process toward the formation of nitrates, which are directly available to plants.

NH4, in the liquid or water-soluble form, is for the most part becomes quickly available to plants and has the advantage of being a far less dangerous, toxic, and noxious form than the ammonia gas NH3, most of which will go to atmosphere if the soil is not warm, moist and reasonably well aerated.

Phosphates

In the application of hog manure, by using AGRICYCLEª ACE bio catalyst and ABC 400ª facultative microbes combination, approximately 55 to 60 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 gallons of manure remain, and if the same level of P205 is assumed, the ratio of nitrogen to phosphates approaches 3/1. The big difference is that the ABC technology causes virtually all of nitrogen to be retained in the manure as NH4. In order for P205 to break down, NH4 is needed to enable the conversion to usable materials such as ammonium sulfate ((NH4)2SO4), dicalcium phosphate (CaH2PO2O7), or monoammonium phosphate (NH4H2PO4). All of these combinations are desirable fertilizer components and form soluble rather than insoluble salts, which may also mitigate the problems with salt buildup in some waste handling systems.

Hydrogen Sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is commonly known as "rotten egg gas" and is toxic and very poisonous in high concentrations. A few breaths of high concentrations of H₂S can be fatal. At lower concentrations, headaches and dizziness are common effects. Collapse, coma and death from respiratory failure can occur within minutes of high exposure. While its odor usually gives warning, H₂S is especially hazardous because it has the effect of deadening the sense of smell in higher concentrations. H₂S is particularly dangerous in enclosed environments such as waste treatment plants and animal confinement facilities where anaerobic digestion can produce continuous high levels of H₂S. Organic compounds that contain an SH group are called mercaptans and, like H₂S, are typically foul smelling. A mixture of mercaptans causes skunk spray smell. Methyl mercaptan is typically produced by paper mills and is referenced in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's strongest odor.

AGRICYCLEª ACE Enzymatic Catalyst and ABC 400ª Aerobic Microbes very successfully discriminate against the putrefactive bacteria that produce these mercaptans. AGRICYCLEª ACE appears to very rapidly cleave Hydrogen / Sulfur bonds so that the mercaptans are quickly reduced to non-toxic and non-odor causing shorter-chain molecules.

Fertilizer issues

The depletion of nitrogen can result in a negative ratio of nitrogen to phosphate (P205). In hog waste in pits underneath confinement buildings, there may be approximately 40-48 pounds of total nitrogen to approximately 22 pounds of phosphates. This is at best a 1.9/1 to 2.2/1 ratio of N to P205. To be considered a fertilizer, there should be at minimum a 5/1 to 6/1 ratio of N to P205. Once the manure is placed in a lagoon, much of the nitrogen value is lost to atmosphere and even more of the volatile ammonia (NH3) is almost immediately lost at spreading, creating a 1/1 or even lower ratio of nitrogen to P205.

With these ratios, there will be serious leaching and soil phosphorus contamination. Regulatory requirements will not tolerate the pollution, and farmers cannot afford the rock-hard fields caused by this phosphorus contamination.

The introduction of Agricycleª AGRICYCLEª ACE and 400ª produces some interesting and advantageous outcomes. By converting NH3 to NH4 in the pits or lagoons, more valuable phosphate compounds are formed, with consequent reduction in P205. If P205 is reduced only by 20%, it will be reduced to approximately 16 pounds, or almost a 4 to 1 ratio. The relatively long-term retention of the manure in pits allows a greater level of nitrogen conversion.

Another strategy that can decrease the P205 will be to apply calcium sulfate (CaSO2H2O), commonly known as gypsum, to reduce the time frame for the formulation of desirable phosphates. This complexing reaction requires a significant level of NH4 to be present. A 6:1 ratio of nitrogen to phosphates may be possible. Combined with complexing supplements, both the leaching and soil contamination could be overcome, leaving a valuable fertilizer product to either use or market.

Health Issues

Volatile ammonia (NH3) is the number one problem in animal confinement. The animals are subjected to a constant presence of ammonia 24 hours per day. This affects the health and the average daily weight gains (ADWG) as well as the health of the producers and the employees. It is also the biggest source of odor from buildings and field spreading.

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is also a dangerous and prevalent problem; particularly when waste is being agitated and pumped from pits or lagoons. Although extreme caution should always be exercised, the mitigation of sulfide production by AGRICYCLEª ACE and 400ª can significantly reduce the risk of illness and death for both animals and operators.

Summary

In summary, Moorhead Technologies enzyme technology, when applied in the animal confinement industry, can (1) virtually eliminate the release of volatile ammonia, especially important for young animals, as in hog confinement farrowing and nursery, (2) increase available nitrogen retention, (2) reduce phosphate contamination, (3) reduce septic odors generally, and (4) result in a healthier environment, which (5) can in turn increase production. (See Sandy Leigh Farms data)

In confinement applications, by reducing and in some cases virtually eliminating offensive and harmful gases, building ventilation requirements are greatly reduced. The reduction in ventilation requirements will save on confinement building production costs related to electrical and heating requirements, and hence on initial construction costs.

Pits and lagoons should be charged with at least 8-12" of water before permitting the introduction of manure or biosolids. This prevents exposure of solids to air, which reduces release of odors and enhances the ability of the enzymes and bacteria to work on the solids. Both enzymes and bacteria require a liquid environment for optimal impact. If solids are allowed to be exposed, or thick crusts are permitted to form, neither the bacteria nor the enzymes will have an optimal medium in which to operate. Without treatment with ABC enzyme technology, ammonia release will increase several fold and solids will become a major problem.

Crusts. Our technology also allows us to deal with floating crusts in a relatively short time frame. Once the crusts are eliminated, continued routine treatment will prevent their re-formation. The most immediate benefits of eliminating crusts are the reduction of ammonia and a proportionate increase in pit capacity. In some instances crust buildup has been nearly (2) two feet. Since the crusts prevent the manure from falling into the pit liquid, the effect is to have scraper pit ammonia levels with no ability to scrape. This is the worst of the possible situations.

Flies. With solids exposed or floating crusts, flies have an optimal environment in which to lay eggs and fly populations increase dramatically. The ABC treatment system has routinely demonstrated the ability to reduce fly populations in treated systems. In addition to eliminating this particular egg laying environment there is some good evidence that the enzyme product interrupts the larval development cycle which further reduces the fly population. In some instances we have been able to eliminate small black flies entirely. Current research being conducted at UC Davis indicates that small flies or various types e.g. (Black Flies, White Flies Fruit flies and Gnats) are affected at the larval stage by the liquid catalyst.