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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Commodity Utilization Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #244576
Title: Poultry Biosolids as Granular Activated Carbons for Environmental Remediation

Author
item Lima, Isabel
item Marshall, Wayne
item Fitzmorris, Kari
item REIMERS, ROBERT - Tulane University

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/15/2003
Publication Date: 2/21/2003
Citation: Lima, I.M., Marshall, W.E., Fitzmorris, K.B., Reimers, R.S. 2003. Poultry Biosolids as Granular Activated Carbons for Metal Ion Adsorption. In: Proceedings of Water Environment Federation, WEF/AWWA/CWEA Joint Residuals and Biosolids Management Conference, February 21, 2003, Baltimore, Maryland. p. 1119-1133.

Interpretive Summary: Water quality and public health impacts of animal manure produced at large concentrated animal facilities prompted the need for viable solutions for their conversion and reuse. Current approaches to dispose of raw manure such as lagoon storage, anaerobic digestion and composting or transformation into soil additives and amenders can still pose associated health and environmental risks and produce low value alternatives. The conversion of animal biosolids to value added products, such as activated carbons for environmental remediation, could be a profitable alternative. We conducted experiments on the feasibility of converting pelletized poultry biosolids to activated carbon. Physical properties (yield and surface area) and adsorptive properties (copper adsorption) of the biosolids-based steam-activated carbon were determined. We believe the conversion of poultry biosolids to activated carbons and their use for metal ion remediation represents a novel approach to the utilization of poultry biosolids.

Technical Abstract: Water quality and public health impacts of animal manure produced at large concentrated animal facilities prompted the need for viable solutions for their conversion and reuse. Current approaches to dispose of raw manure such as lagoon storage, anaerobic digestion and composting or transformation into soil additives and amenders can still pose associated health and environmental risks and produce low value alternatives. The conversion of animal biosolids to value added products, such as activated carbons for environmental remediation, could be a profitable alternative. We conducted experiments on the feasibility of converting pelletized poultry biosolids to activated carbon. Physical properties (yield and surface area) and adsorptive properties (copper adsorption) of the biosolids-based steam-activated carbon were determined. We believe the conversion of poultry biosolids to activated carbons and their use for metal ion remediation represents a novel approach to the utilization of poultry biosolids.