This page has only limited features, please log in for full access.

Dr. Niccolò Pampuro
Institute of Sciences and Technologies for Sustainable Energy and Mobility (STEMS), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Strada delle Cacce, 73, 10135 Torino, Italy

Basic Info


Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Agricultural Engineering
0 circular economy
0 organic fertilizer
0 agro-industry by-product
0 aerobic stabilization

Fingerprints

aerobic stabilization
circular economy
organic fertilizer

Honors and Awards

The user has no records in this section


Career Timeline

The user has no records in this section.


Short Biography

The user biography is not available.
Following
Followers
Co Authors
The list of users this user is following is empty.
Following: 0 users

Feed

Journal article
Published: 30 June 2021 in Agronomy
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The main challenge of this work is to identify a novel approach to reuse and valorize brewers’ spent grain (BSG) to produce a new source of income for the brewers in terms of self-consumption or selling goods. Therefore, this study explored the composting behavior of BSG mixed with different organic materials: wheat straw with pig slurry solid fraction and wheat straw with sheep manure, MIX1 and MIX2, respectively. The composting process was carried out in bins by comparing two different composting strategies: manual turning (MT) and static composting xxx– without turning operations (ST). During the experimental trial, BSG mixtures were chemically analyzed for pH, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, ammoniacal nitrogen, nitrate-nitrogen, total organic carbon, volatile solids, carbon to nitrogen ratio, and moisture content. Furthermore, the final composted materials were evaluated according to the physicochemical and biological limits fixed by the European regulation (2019/1009) and the Italian law (D.Lgs 75/2010). At the end of the composting process, the C/N ratio ranged from 11.6 to 15.5, the humification ratio ranged from 12.4 to 13.8 and the NH4+-N/NO3-N ratio was lower than 0.5 indicating, in all investigated treatments, a good degree of maturation. However, as evidenced by the high pH values and low Germination Index, the sheep manure, as starting material, proved less effective than the solid fraction of pig slurry, probably due to excessive trampling and slow litter change. Finally, concerning the two composting strategies investigated, the obtained results highlighted that the composting strategy did not affect the final compost quality.

ACS Style

Davide Assandri; Niccolò Pampuro; Giacomo Zara; Angela Bianco; Eugenio Cavallo; Marilena Budroni. Co-Composting of Brewers’ Spent Grain with Animal Manures and Wheat Straw: Influence of Two Composting Strategies on Compost Quality. Agronomy 2021, 11, 1349 .

AMA Style

Davide Assandri, Niccolò Pampuro, Giacomo Zara, Angela Bianco, Eugenio Cavallo, Marilena Budroni. Co-Composting of Brewers’ Spent Grain with Animal Manures and Wheat Straw: Influence of Two Composting Strategies on Compost Quality. Agronomy. 2021; 11 (7):1349.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Davide Assandri; Niccolò Pampuro; Giacomo Zara; Angela Bianco; Eugenio Cavallo; Marilena Budroni. 2021. "Co-Composting of Brewers’ Spent Grain with Animal Manures and Wheat Straw: Influence of Two Composting Strategies on Compost Quality." Agronomy 11, no. 7: 1349.

Journal article
Published: 21 June 2021 in Agronomy
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Composting represents an alternative for the management of the organic fraction from municipal waste. However, the adoption of compost made from municipal waste is not yet widespread across all European countries, including Italy. Being ‘professional’ (i.e., farmers and gardeners) and ‘hobbyists’ the most representative categories of compost buyers in Italy, this study investigated their attitude toward municipal waste compost adoption and their purchasing pattern, pointing out criticalities and strategies to promote a wider use of this kind of compost. For the two categories of users, frequency of use of different information, buying habits, opinions on marketing issues, and factors which encourage compost utilization were investigated. The ‘professionals’ and ‘hobbyists’ reported different purchasing behaviors in terms of quantity, frequency, and preferred packaging format. The capability of compost from municipal waste to improve soil characteristics and its low environmental impact were identified as the most significant aspects for users, while availability of economic subsidies was not a determining factor for municipal waste compost adoption. With regard to the information sources, the broader use of personal communication channels like peers’ suggestions may have influence on compost adoption pointing out how social influence can promote sustainable behavior and influence users’ purchasing choices.

ACS Style

Lucia Vigoroso; Niccolò Pampuro; Giorgia Bagagiolo; Eugenio Cavallo. Factors Influencing Adoption of Compost Made from Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste and Purchasing Pattern: A Survey of Italian Professional and Hobbyist Users. Agronomy 2021, 11, 1262 .

AMA Style

Lucia Vigoroso, Niccolò Pampuro, Giorgia Bagagiolo, Eugenio Cavallo. Factors Influencing Adoption of Compost Made from Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste and Purchasing Pattern: A Survey of Italian Professional and Hobbyist Users. Agronomy. 2021; 11 (6):1262.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lucia Vigoroso; Niccolò Pampuro; Giorgia Bagagiolo; Eugenio Cavallo. 2021. "Factors Influencing Adoption of Compost Made from Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste and Purchasing Pattern: A Survey of Italian Professional and Hobbyist Users." Agronomy 11, no. 6: 1262.

Review
Published: 22 December 2020 in Agriculture
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The brewing industry is characterized by the large production of by-products. Following the fundamentals of a circular economy, several attempts to recycle brewers’ spent grain (BSG) have been investigated. However, little information is available on its use for composting. Considering the main parameters required for optimal development of composting, the objective of the present review was to analyze the literature to determine whether the microbial and physicochemical characteristics of BSG make it suitable for direct composting. As the main factors in the composting process, we considered the BSG moisture content, total carbon, total nitrogen, C/N ratio, and pH. As described in the literature, the BSG moisture content, C/N ratio, and pH range from 70.6% to 81.3%, 7.1 to 26.5, and 3.8 to 6.9, respectively. This C/N ratio range is lower than the composting target range (20–30). Instead, the mean moisture content in the literature is higher than the 60% to 65% recommended for composting. Optimum pH for aerobic stabilization of compost ranges from 5.5 to 7.5, while the BSG pH in the literature is typically more acidic. Therefore, BSG is not suitable for direct composting. Addition of lignocellulosic bulking agents improves the reduction of moisture content during composting, while also optimizing the substrate properties, such as C/N ratio, air spaces, and pH, to positively affect the composting process. Moreover, livestock manure should be included as a starting material to promote the composting process. In this context, two hypothetical initial mixtures of BSG plus a lignocellulosic bulking agent and livestock manure are presented.

ACS Style

Davide Assandri; Niccolò Pampuro; Giacomo Zara; Eugenio Cavallo; Marilena Budroni. Suitability of Composting Process for the Disposal and Valorization of Brewer’s Spent Grain. Agriculture 2020, 11, 2 .

AMA Style

Davide Assandri, Niccolò Pampuro, Giacomo Zara, Eugenio Cavallo, Marilena Budroni. Suitability of Composting Process for the Disposal and Valorization of Brewer’s Spent Grain. Agriculture. 2020; 11 (1):2.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Davide Assandri; Niccolò Pampuro; Giacomo Zara; Eugenio Cavallo; Marilena Budroni. 2020. "Suitability of Composting Process for the Disposal and Valorization of Brewer’s Spent Grain." Agriculture 11, no. 1: 2.

Journal article
Published: 09 January 2020 in Agriculture
Reads 0
Downloads 0

This study aimed at exploring the frequency of use and perceived benefits of application of organic matter to the soil in a group of Italian farmers, investigating also the preferred sources of information, to identify potential interventions to promote the improvement of the soil organic matter. The study has been carried out administering a 21-item paper-and-pencil questionnaire to 44 farmers. The results of the study highlighted that the main perceived benefit linked to soil organic matter application is related to its capacity of increasing productivity, while the aspects related to work pace, production costs, and implications with the climate change appeared to be less relevant. According to the results of the study, web targeted information campaigns for the smaller farms operators and training activities for the bigger farms operators are the most effective solutions to make farmers aware of the importance of increasing soil organic matter content.

ACS Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Federica Caffaro; Eugenio Cavallo. Farmers’ Attitudes toward On-Farm Adoption of Soil Organic Matter in Piedmont Region, Italy. Agriculture 2020, 10, 14 .

AMA Style

Niccolò Pampuro, Federica Caffaro, Eugenio Cavallo. Farmers’ Attitudes toward On-Farm Adoption of Soil Organic Matter in Piedmont Region, Italy. Agriculture. 2020; 10 (1):14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Federica Caffaro; Eugenio Cavallo. 2020. "Farmers’ Attitudes toward On-Farm Adoption of Soil Organic Matter in Piedmont Region, Italy." Agriculture 10, no. 1: 14.

Journal article
Published: 11 September 2018 in Energies
Reads 0
Downloads 0

Hop cones, due to their essential flavor, are one of the four main ingredients for beer production. The paper reports the results on an investigation of the densification process of hop cones. This experiment investigated (i) the effects of compression pressure in the range of 40 to 80 MPa and pressure application time in the range of 10 to 40 s on the final density and durability of the compacts made from hop cones and ii) the specific compression energy required for the process. The specific compression energy requirements to compact hop cones ranged from 14.20 to 24.48 kJ kg−1. The final compact density values ranged from 515.2 to 876.6 kg m−3, while the durability percentage calculated ranged from 71% to 91%. The obtained results highlighted that compression pressure—in the range of 40–80 MPa—significantly affects the specific compression energy requirements, the final density and the durability of the produced compacts. In this experiment, pressure application time plays a key role in determining compacts density, while did not affect durability and compression energy requirements. Considering the specific compression energy values calculated in this experiment, it can be stated that the pressure agglomeration method described to compact hop cones is more efficient than pelletizing process which is typically characterized by specific energy values ranging from 19 to 90 kJ kg−1.

ACS Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Patrizia Busato; Eugenio Cavallo. Effect of Densification Conditions on Specific Energy Requirements and Physical Properties of Compacts Made from Hop Cone. Energies 2018, 11, 2389 .

AMA Style

Niccolò Pampuro, Patrizia Busato, Eugenio Cavallo. Effect of Densification Conditions on Specific Energy Requirements and Physical Properties of Compacts Made from Hop Cone. Energies. 2018; 11 (9):2389.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Patrizia Busato; Eugenio Cavallo. 2018. "Effect of Densification Conditions on Specific Energy Requirements and Physical Properties of Compacts Made from Hop Cone." Energies 11, no. 9: 2389.

Journal article
Published: 01 August 2018 in Agriculture
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The study aimed at determining ammonia and GHG emissions from soil fertilized with pellets made from composted pig slurry solid fraction and to evaluate the effects of pellet diameter and pellet application method on gaseous emissions. A laboratory scale experiment was carried out investigating two composts: pig slurry solid fraction compost (SSFC) and pig slurry solid fraction mixed with wood chips compost (WCC). The two composts were pelettized in two different diameters—6 and 8 mm—by means of mechanical pelletizer. In total, eight fertilized treatments plus one unfertilized control were included in the experiment. The investigated pellets were applied at the same nitrogen rate (equivalent to 200 kg ha−1) using two different methods (on soil surface and incorporated into the soil). Ammonia (NH3) emission was monitored immediately after pellet application, while nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) were measured on a 57-day incubation period. As expected, ammonia volatilization was not detected from any of the treatments investigated. At the end of the experiment, the cumulative amounts of N2O, CO2 and CH4 ranged from 2.70 mg N-N2O m−2 to 24.30 mg N-N2O m−2, from 601.89 mg C-CO2 m−2 to 1170.34 mg C-CO2 m−2 and from 1.22 mg C-CH4 m−2 to 1.31 mg C-CH4 m−2, respectively. The overall results of the investigation highlighted that application on the soil surface reduced nitrous oxide emission, while the carbon dioxide emission increased significantly with smaller pellet diameter.

ACS Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Patrizia Busato; Eugenio Cavallo. Gaseous Emissions after Soil Application of Pellet Made from Composted Pig Slurry Solid Fraction: Effect of Application Method and Pellet Diameter. Agriculture 2018, 8, 119 .

AMA Style

Niccolò Pampuro, Patrizia Busato, Eugenio Cavallo. Gaseous Emissions after Soil Application of Pellet Made from Composted Pig Slurry Solid Fraction: Effect of Application Method and Pellet Diameter. Agriculture. 2018; 8 (8):119.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Patrizia Busato; Eugenio Cavallo. 2018. "Gaseous Emissions after Soil Application of Pellet Made from Composted Pig Slurry Solid Fraction: Effect of Application Method and Pellet Diameter." Agriculture 8, no. 8: 119.

Journal article
Published: 15 June 2018 in Sustainability
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The present study aimed at investigating perceptions and preferences about the use and the chemical characteristics of pellets made from composted animal manure in a sample of Italian farmers and agricultural advisors (Piedmont region, Northwestern Italy). The study encompassed two different steps: At first, the participants were administered a questionnaire about their actual use of pellets and preferences about their chemical characteristics. Then, a subgroup participated into a hands-on experience with different pelletized animal manures and some final questions. Concerning the use of pellets made from composted animal manure, even if the participants affirmed to be interested in using organic pellets and declared to own the appropriate equipment needed for their application, the results indicated that pelletized compost utilization had not yet become a common practice for agricultural crops. The obtained results highlighted a lack of knowledge, especially among farmers, about the importance of some chemical properties of this pelletized organic material. The participants, both farmers and advisors, were particularly attracted by the total nitrogen content of organic pelletized fertilizers, probably because the supplying of nutrients, nitrogen particularly, is the function of fertilizers they were interested in the most due to its direct connection with crop production. The hands-on session allowed the participants to better understand the benefits of the principal chemical properties—organic matter and carbon to nitrogen ratio—of pelletized animal manure compost. On the other hand, organic matter content and carbon to nitrogen ratio, more related with biological fertility and biodiversity of soils, are immediately less interesting and, as the hands-on experience pointed out, require more effort to be appreciated by agricultural operators. Targeted information campaigns and training activities may be developed among the agricultural community to make them aware of the importance of increasing soil organic matter content, and the possible use of pelletized composted animal manure. Further studies should be addressed toward gaining more insights into the beneficial effects of the information and training activities for pelletized compost adoption.

ACS Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Federica Caffaro; Eugenio Cavallo. Reuse of Animal Manure: A Case Study on Stakeholders’ Perceptions about Pelletized Compost in Northwestern Italy. Sustainability 2018, 10, 2028 .

AMA Style

Niccolò Pampuro, Federica Caffaro, Eugenio Cavallo. Reuse of Animal Manure: A Case Study on Stakeholders’ Perceptions about Pelletized Compost in Northwestern Italy. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (6):2028.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Federica Caffaro; Eugenio Cavallo. 2018. "Reuse of Animal Manure: A Case Study on Stakeholders’ Perceptions about Pelletized Compost in Northwestern Italy." Sustainability 10, no. 6: 2028.

Journal article
Published: 22 January 2018 in Sustainability
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The aim of this investigation was to determine the physical and acoustical properties of compacts made from composted pig slurry solid fraction (SF) in order to assess the potential to recycle this agricultural waste as a sound absorber. The compacts were obtained by compression. The physical parameters investigated were bulk density, durability, and particle size distribution. The acoustical features of the compacts were studied with an impedance tube device in order to verify the acoustic absorption coefficient. Two composts were prepared: pig SF compost without a bulking agent (SSFC) and pig SF compost with wood chips as a bulking agent (WCC). The study’s results indicated that compost particles dimension played a key role in the physical and acoustical properties of the compacts: the smaller the particles, the higher the physical and acoustical properties of the compacts. The densification process increased the bulk density of the investigated composts up to 690 kg m−3 for SSFC and 660 kg m−3 for WWC, with, respectively, medium (77.9%) and low (66.5%) durability. The addition of woody bulking agent significantly reduced the absorption coefficient: the best results, in terms of potential use as a sound absorber, were observed for compacts made from composted pig slurry solid fraction without the addition of wood chips.

ACS Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Christian Preti; Eugenio Cavallo. Recycling Pig Slurry Solid Fraction Compost as a Sound Absorber. Sustainability 2018, 10, 277 .

AMA Style

Niccolò Pampuro, Christian Preti, Eugenio Cavallo. Recycling Pig Slurry Solid Fraction Compost as a Sound Absorber. Sustainability. 2018; 10 (2):277.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Christian Preti; Eugenio Cavallo. 2018. "Recycling Pig Slurry Solid Fraction Compost as a Sound Absorber." Sustainability 10, no. 2: 277.

Crops and soils research papers
Published: 07 December 2017 in The Journal of Agricultural Science
Reads 0
Downloads 0

SUMMARY Conversion of pig slurry to pellets is a desirable fertilizer option for farmers who want to mitigate environmental pollution from slurry accumulation. The goals of the current investigation were to determine the fertilizer properties of pig slurry solid fraction (SF) pellets and to assess its potential to enhance soil properties in order to reduce ammonia (NH3) volatilization and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Various parameters influence SF-based pellet fertilizer effectiveness: bulking agent use during composting, pellet diameter sizing and soil application type (superficially or incorporated into the soil). Two composts from the same pig slurry SF obtained from a screw press separator were prepared: pig SF compost without a bulking agent (SSFC) and pig SF compost with wood chips as the bulking agent (wood chip compost (WCC)). For each compost type, pellets of two different diameters (6 and 8 mm) were produced. A mesocosm experiment, conducted with maize plants, was used to test the fertilizer value of the considered pellets. In total, three compost fertilizers – SSFC, WCC and nitrogen: phosphorus: potassium mineral fertilizer 15 : 15 : 15, plus one unfertilized control treatment – were applied at the same N rate (equivalent to 200 kg/ha) using two different methods (surface and soil incorporation). After 65 days, above-ground biomass, roots and soil samples were collected and analysed. Subsequently, a second mesocosm study was undertaken to measure NH3and GHG emissions released from pellet fertilization. Ammonia volatilization was determined immediately after pellet application, while carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions were monitored for 57 days. Study results indicated that both pellet types were effective slow-release fertilizers for maize. Additionally, three actions seemed to make the nutrients contained in pig SF compost pellets more available to plants: addition of a bulking agent before composting, use of small diameter pellets and soil incorporation of the fertilizer.

ACS Style

N. Pampuro; C. Bertora; D. Sacco; E. Dinuccio; C. Grignani; P. Balsari; E. Cavallo; M. P. Bernal. Fertilizer value and greenhouse gas emissions from solid fraction pig slurry compost pellets. The Journal of Agricultural Science 2017, 155, 1646 -1658.

AMA Style

N. Pampuro, C. Bertora, D. Sacco, E. Dinuccio, C. Grignani, P. Balsari, E. Cavallo, M. P. Bernal. Fertilizer value and greenhouse gas emissions from solid fraction pig slurry compost pellets. The Journal of Agricultural Science. 2017; 155 (10):1646-1658.

Chicago/Turabian Style

N. Pampuro; C. Bertora; D. Sacco; E. Dinuccio; C. Grignani; P. Balsari; E. Cavallo; M. P. Bernal. 2017. "Fertilizer value and greenhouse gas emissions from solid fraction pig slurry compost pellets." The Journal of Agricultural Science 155, no. 10: 1646-1658.

Journal article
Published: 04 November 2017 in Agriculture
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The phytotoxicity of four different composts obtained from pig slurry solid fraction composted by itself (SSFC) and mixed with sawdust (SC), woodchips (WCC) and wheat straw (WSC) was tested with bioassay methods. For each compost type, the effect of water extracts of compost on seed germination and primary root growth of cress (Lepidium Sativum L.) was investigated. Composts were also chemically analysed for total nitrogen, ammonium, electrical conductivity and heavy metal (Cu and Zn). The chemicals were correlated to phytotoxicity indices. The mean values of the germination index (GI) obtained were 160.7, 187.9, 200.9 and 264.4 for WSC, WCC, SC and SSFC, respectively. Growth index (GrI) ranged from the 229.4%, the highest value, for SSFC, followed by 201.9% for SC, and 193.1% for WCC, to the lowest value, 121.4%, for WSC. Electrical conductivity showed a significant and negative correlation with relative seed germination at the 50% and 75% concentrations. A strong positive correlation was found for water-extractable Cu with relative root growth and germination index at the 10% concentration. Water-extractable Zn showed a significant positive correlation with relative root growth and GI at the 10% concentration. These results highlighted that the four composts could be used for organic pellet production and subsequently distributed as a soil amendment with positive effects on seed germination and plant growth (GI > 80%).

ACS Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Carlo Bisaglia; Elio Romano; Massimo Brambilla; Ester Foppa Pedretti; Eugenio Cavallo. Phytotoxicity and Chemical Characterization of Compost Derived from Pig Slurry Solid Fraction for Organic Pellet Production. Agriculture 2017, 7, 94 .

AMA Style

Niccolò Pampuro, Carlo Bisaglia, Elio Romano, Massimo Brambilla, Ester Foppa Pedretti, Eugenio Cavallo. Phytotoxicity and Chemical Characterization of Compost Derived from Pig Slurry Solid Fraction for Organic Pellet Production. Agriculture. 2017; 7 (11):94.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Carlo Bisaglia; Elio Romano; Massimo Brambilla; Ester Foppa Pedretti; Eugenio Cavallo. 2017. "Phytotoxicity and Chemical Characterization of Compost Derived from Pig Slurry Solid Fraction for Organic Pellet Production." Agriculture 7, no. 11: 94.

Journal article
Published: 01 April 2017 in Powder Technology
Reads 0
Downloads 0

This study reports the effects of the addition of different woody bulking agents and pelletizing pressure on the final bulk density, durability and compression resistance of pellets manufactured from composted pig solid fraction. Two pressure levels (3.5 and 5.0 MPa) and three different types of compost (SFC - pig solid fraction, BC - pig solid fraction mixed with woody biochar, and WC - pig solid fraction mixed with wood chips) were investigated. The study shows that the different pressures adopted - in the range of 3.5 to 5.0 MPa - and the addition of woody bulking agents did not significantly affect the physical and mechanical properties of the pellets. However, according to the results of the study, the particle dimension of the woody bulking agents plays a key role in the mechanical properties of the pellets; the smaller the particles, the higher the pellet mechanical properties. The pelletizing process increased the bulk density of the investigated composts, and pellet durability was always high (> 80%). Nevertheless, when comparing the two bulking agents, the best results in terms of final quality were observed for pellets made from pig solid fraction mixed with woody biochar

ACS Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Giorgia Bagagiolo; Paolo C. Priarone; Eugenio Cavallo. Effects of pelletizing pressure and the addition of woody bulking agents on the physical and mechanical properties of pellets made from composted pig solid fraction. Powder Technology 2017, 311, 112 -119.

AMA Style

Niccolò Pampuro, Giorgia Bagagiolo, Paolo C. Priarone, Eugenio Cavallo. Effects of pelletizing pressure and the addition of woody bulking agents on the physical and mechanical properties of pellets made from composted pig solid fraction. Powder Technology. 2017; 311 ():112-119.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Giorgia Bagagiolo; Paolo C. Priarone; Eugenio Cavallo. 2017. "Effects of pelletizing pressure and the addition of woody bulking agents on the physical and mechanical properties of pellets made from composted pig solid fraction." Powder Technology 311, no. : 112-119.

Journal article
Published: 06 September 2014 in International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture
Reads 0
Downloads 0

In Europe, because of the high production levels of livestock farming in general and pig farming in particular, animal waste management has become increasingly important to comply with the required lowering of livestock farming environmental pressure. Usually manures undergo solid/liquid separation, which generates one clarified liquid fraction and one nutrient-rich solid fraction suitable for in farm composting (both raw and in mixture with other bulking agents). This can be used to produce soil amendments, whose management can be further improved by pelletization that, against technological and environmental advantages, has the disadvantage of requiring a quite high energy input. Four different pelleted organic fertilizer formulations made of swine manure solid fraction (SMSF) composted both by itself and with sawdust (SMSF-SD), wood chips (SMSF-WC) and wheat straw were tested to highlight differences in physico-chemical and land distribution features. They were compared with two pelleted organic fertilizers ordinarily available at retailers. Results show that, as far as physical and chemical features are concerned, the greatest difference from the reference products used in this study is found in pellet size distribution after spreading since the disintegrating action of the rotating vanes does not affect the tested formulation with the same intensity as the commercial products. Distribution tests showed that SMSF-SD was the formulation with better longitudinal and transverse distribution, while SMSF was the one showing good transverse but poor longitudinal distribution. In farm pelletizing of SMSF composted with different organic waste materials as co-formulates can turn into organic fertilizer formulations comparable with pelleted organic fertilizers ordinarily available at retailers. SMSF-WC was the formulation with the best resistance to fragmentation induced by spreader vanes. SMSF-SD was the formulation showing better longitudinal and transverse distribution, while SMSF showed good transverse but poor longitudinal distribution. These promising results enhance the importance of co-composting as a way to increase livestock farming sustainability and produce better manure compost for wider agricultural uses.

ACS Style

Elio Romano; Massimo Brambilla; Carlo Bisaglia; Niccolò Pampuro; Ester Foppa Pedretti; Eugenio Cavallo. Pelletization of composted swine manure solid fraction with different organic co-formulates: effect of pellet physical properties on rotating spreader distribution patterns. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture 2014, 3, 101 -111.

AMA Style

Elio Romano, Massimo Brambilla, Carlo Bisaglia, Niccolò Pampuro, Ester Foppa Pedretti, Eugenio Cavallo. Pelletization of composted swine manure solid fraction with different organic co-formulates: effect of pellet physical properties on rotating spreader distribution patterns. International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture. 2014; 3 (4):101-111.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elio Romano; Massimo Brambilla; Carlo Bisaglia; Niccolò Pampuro; Ester Foppa Pedretti; Eugenio Cavallo. 2014. "Pelletization of composted swine manure solid fraction with different organic co-formulates: effect of pellet physical properties on rotating spreader distribution patterns." International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture 3, no. 4: 101-111.

Journal article
Published: 08 September 2013 in Journal of Agricultural Engineering
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The excessive amount of pig slurry spread on soil has contributed to nitrate water pollution both in surface and in ground waters, especially in areas classified as vulnerable zones to nitrate in accordance with European Regulation (91/676/CEE). Several techniques have been developed to manage livestock slurries as cheaply and conveniently as possible and to reduce potential risks of environmental pollution. Among these techniques, solid-liquid separation of slurry is a common practice in Italy. The liquid fraction can be used for irrigation and the solid fraction, after aerobic stabilization, produces an organic compost rich in humic substances. However, compost derived from swine solid fraction is a low density material (bulk density less than 500 kg

ACS Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Alessio Facello; Eugenio Cavallo. Energy and pressure requirements for compression of swine solid fraction compost. Journal of Agricultural Engineering 2013, 44, 1 .

AMA Style

Niccolò Pampuro, Alessio Facello, Eugenio Cavallo. Energy and pressure requirements for compression of swine solid fraction compost. Journal of Agricultural Engineering. 2013; 44 (2):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Alessio Facello; Eugenio Cavallo. 2013. "Energy and pressure requirements for compression of swine solid fraction compost." Journal of Agricultural Engineering 44, no. 2: 1.

Journal article
Published: 06 January 2013 in Journal of Agricultural Engineering
Reads 0
Downloads 0

The excessive amount of pig slurry spread on soil has contributed to nitrate water pollution both in surface and in ground waters, especially in areas classified as vulnerable zones to nitrate in accordance with European Regulation (91/676/CEE). Several techniques have been developed to manage livestock slurries as cheaply and conveniently as possible and to reduce potential risks of environmental pollution. Among these techniques, solid-liquid separation of slurry is a common practice in Italy. The liquid fraction can be used for irrigation and the solid fraction, after aerobic stabilization, produces an organic compost rich in humic substances. However, compost derived from swine solid fraction is a low density material (bulk density less than 500 kg

ACS Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Alessio Facello; Eugenio Cavallo. Energy and pressure requirements for compression of swine solid fraction compost. Journal of Agricultural Engineering 2013, 44, 1 .

AMA Style

Niccolò Pampuro, Alessio Facello, Eugenio Cavallo. Energy and pressure requirements for compression of swine solid fraction compost. Journal of Agricultural Engineering. 2013; 44 (2):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Niccolò Pampuro; Alessio Facello; Eugenio Cavallo. 2013. "Energy and pressure requirements for compression of swine solid fraction compost." Journal of Agricultural Engineering 44, no. 2: 1.