Jacek Dach

Co-composting of poultry manure mixtures amended with biochar – The effect of biochar on temperature and C-CO2 emission

Biochar as an amendment could have an impact on composting dynamics. This study investigated the effect of the addition of biochar (B) to poultry manure (P) mixed with wheat straw (S) (i.e. P:S, P:S+5%B and P:S+10%B) on temperature and carbon dioxide emission. For temperature studies a modified equation for net degree-hour parameter DHnet (°Chday(-1)) was proposed. The modified equation takes into account ambient temperature. The highest daily temperatures DHnet were observed on day 2 and the mixture with the highest addition of biochar (P:S+10%) reached the max temperature. The period of thermophilic temperatures (40°C>) was shorter for mixtures amended with biochar. The addition of biochar increased C-CO2 emission and the total C-CO2 emission were higher about 6.9% and 7.4% for P:S+5%B and P:S+10%B, respectively.

The kinetics of nicotine degradation, enzyme activities and genotoxic potential in the characterization of tobacco waste composting.

This study aimed to determine nicotine biodegradation and the genotoxic potential of nicotine and its degradation products during the process of tobacco waste composting. Composting was carried out using two methods, i.e. the addition of 20% (bioreactor A) or 40% tobacco wastes to sewage sludge (bioreactor B) and control--sewage sludge (bioreactor C). Wheat straw was used as a structure-forming material. As a result of composting the contents of C and N in the bioreactors changed, the C:N ratio in bioreactor A changed from 22.8 to 13.00, and that in bioreactor B changed from 23.5 to 12.00. After composting, the biodegradation rate of nicotine was 78% in bioreactor A and 80% in bioreactor B, respectively. Using the Ames test it was shown that the composts produced did not exhibit mutagenicity.

Integrated approach to sustain biogas production in anaerobic digestion of chicken manure under recycled utilization of liquid digestate: Dynamics of ammonium accumulation and mitigation control.

The dynamics of ammonium accumulation and mitigation control in anaerobic digestion of chicken manure under the recycled utilization of liquid digested slurry were investigated by using an integrated approach in two laboratory-scale semi-continuously stirred tank reactors. In the reactor with direct recycled utilization of the anaerobic digested liquid slurry, total volatilized fatty acids (in CH3COOH) and NH4(+)-N increased from 1600mg/L to 8000mg/L and from 2600mg/L to 5000mg/L, respectively. The daily volumetric biogas production decreased from 1.4±0.1L/(L·d) to 0.8±0.1L/(L·d) with a reduction efficiency of 43±4%. Air stripping was integrated for ammonium mitigation of recycled liquid digested slurry and was shown to effectively reduce the ammonium to 3000mg/L. Correspondingly, the biogas production was recovered back to 1.4±0.1L/(L·d). This indicated the potential of the integration of air stripping for ammonium mitigation in an anaerobic digestion process with liquid digested slurry recirculation.

The selected examples of the application of computer image analysis in the assessment of environmental quality

The environmental monitoring (EM) is an essential part of protection of the environment, most of the methods of environmental protection based on visual techniques or physico-chemical and biochemical measurements. The automation of traditional methods proceeds at an accelerating rate, modern laboratories prefer this type of tools to conduct a more comprehensive assessment and online monitoring. The application of computer image analysis methods in biomonitoring brings to this discipline the opportunity to develop innovative tools that allow for more precise sensitive and quantified assessment of monitored processes. The application of techniques based on computer image processing technology will dominate in the future and very comfortable and intuitive tool for researchers in the study of the components of the environment quality. The article presents some methods of automation the acute toxicity bioassay based on the application of computational methods.

Possibilities of neural image analysis implementation in monitoring of microalgae production as a substrate for biogas plant

The paper presents the possibilities of neural image analysis of microalgae content in the large-scale algae production for usage as a biomass. With the growing conflict between the culture produced both for feed and energetic purpose in Europe, the algae production seems to be very efficient way to produce the huge amount of biomass outside of conventional agronomy. However, for stable microalgae production the key point for culture management is the rapid estimation of algae population and assessment of its developmental stage. In traditional way the microalgae content is usually checked by the long microscopic analyses which cannot be used in large-scale industrial cultivation. Moreover, highly specialized personnel is required for algal determinations. So the main aim of this study is to estimate the possibility of usage of automatic image analysis of microalgae content made by artificial neural network. The preliminary results show that the selection of artificial neural network topology for the microalgae identification allowed for the selection and choice of teaching variables obtained by studying the image analysis. The selected neural model on the basis of data from computer image analysis allows to carry out the operations of algae identification and counting. On the basis of the obtained results of preliminary tests it is possible to count the algae on the photos. Additional information on their size and color allows to unlimited categorization.

Computer image analysis in the quality in procedure for selected carrot varieties

In our daily lives we often assess our surroundings to classify the situations we encounter. We do so based on the observations we make of our surroundings and information we obtain from other sources, using our knowledge and abilities. While this process is natural to us, if we want to give a similar task to a computer system then we have to take various steps in order to enable our computers to partially emulate the human capacity for observation, learning and making final decisions based on knowledge. As information complexity increases, there is an increasing demand for systems which can recognize and classify the objects presented to them. Recently there has been an increase in interest in application of computer image analysis in various research areas. One of these applications is food quality assessment, which aims to replace traditional instrumental methods. A computer visual system was developed to assess carrot quality, based on a single variety. Characteristic qualities of the variety were chosen to describe a suitable root. In the course of the study, digital photographs of carrot roots were taken, which were used as input data for the assessment performed by a dedicated computer program created as a part of the study.

Biochar to reduce ammonia emissions in gaseous and liquid phase during composting of poultry manure with wheat straw

Composting of poultry manure which is high in N and dense in structure can cause several problems including significant N losses in the form of NH3 through volatilization. Biochar due to its recalcitrance and sorption properties can be used in composting as a bulking agent and/or amendment. The addition of a bulking agent to high moisture raw materials can assure optimal moisture content and enough air-filled porosity but not necessarily the C/N ratio. Therefore, amendment of low C/N composting mixtures with biochar at low rates can have a positive effect on composting dynamics. This work aimed at evaluating the effect of selected doses of wood derived biochar amendment (0%, 5% and 10%, wet weight) to poultry manure (P) mixed with wheat straw (S) (in the ratio of 1:0.4 on wet weight) on the total ammonia emissions (including gaseous emissions of ammonia and liquid emissions of ammonium in the collected condensate and leachate) during composting. The process was performed in 165L laboratory scale composting reactors for 42days. The addition of 5% and 10% of biochar reduced gaseous ammonia emission by 30% and 44%, respectively. According to the obtained results, the measure of emission through the condensate would be necessary to assess the impact of the total ammonia emission during the composting process.

The use of image analysis to investigate C:N ratio in the mixture of chicken manure and straw

The aim of the study was to determine the possibility of analysis of C:N ratio in the chicken manure and wheat straw mixture. This paper presents preliminary assumptions and parameters of extraction characteristics process. It also presents an introduction of digital image analysis of chicken manure and wheat straw mixture. This work is an introduction to the study on develop computer system that could replace chemical analysis. Good understanding the value of dependence C:N on the basis of image analysis will help in selection of optimal conditions for biological waste treatment.

Identification of selected apple pests based on selected graphical parameters

The aim of this work was a neural identification of selected apple tree orchard pests. The classification was conducted on the basis of graphical information coded in the form of selected geometric characteristics of agrofags, presented on digital images. A neural classification model is presented in this paper, optimized using learning sets acquired on the basis of information contained in digital photographs of pests. In particular, the problem of identifying 6 selected apple pests, the most commonly encountered in Polish orchards, has been addressed. In order to classify the agrofags, neural modelling methods were utilized, supported by digital analysis of image techniques.

Specialised Internet Tool for Biogas Plant Modelling and Marked Analysing

The paper presents the internet tool for decision support and data acquisition for Polish biogas market. This system helps investors to plan the size and potential power of biogas plant with usage of selected, own substrates. Because of open access via internet, the BiogasWebPlanner® allows to create one of the biggest databases about future Polish biogas market.