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Prof. Elio Dinuccio
Department of Agriculture, Forest and Food Science (DISAFA) Div. Agro-Forestry and Environmental Engineering - University of Turin

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Research Keywords & Expertise

0 Biofuel
0 biomass energy conversion technologies
0 feedstocks pre-treatments
0 agro-industrial wastes
0 particulate matter, ammonia, and greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and control

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Short Biography

Obtained a PhD in Agricultural and Environmental Engineering. He is an Associate Professor at the Department of Agriculture, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin. He has expertise in agricultural engineering, with special regards to mineral and organic fertilizer spreaders, animal waste management concerning water, soil and atmospheric pollution, nutrient application, and agricultural by product valorization. He has specific competences regarding particulate matter, ammonia, and greenhouse gas emission measurement; abatement strategies and manure treatment technologies; energy production from ligno-cellulosic by-products; and energy crops. He is a member of the Italian Association of Agricultural Engineering (AIIA), the International Commission of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (CIGR), and the European Society of Agricultural Engineers (EurAgEng).

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Journal article
Published: 05 August 2021 in Biosystems Engineering
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Laying hen houses are a known source of fine particulate matter (PM10), but no information is available on the contribution of outdoor runs to the overall emissions. This study aims to investigate some of the main factors driving PM emissions from outdoor runs. A wind tunnel device was built to assess the effect of hen density (HD, hens m−2) on PM emissions from outdoor runs. Moreover, a laboratory trial, using a soil resuspension chamber, was conducted to describe the influence of soil moisture on the emissions. The gathered information was then used to estimate PM10 emissions over a 1-year period. PM emissions increased exponentially with increasing HD and decreased exponentially with increasing soil water content. The average PM10 emissions from hen activities at the study farm, estimated using meteorological data from year 2019, were of 8.9 mg hen−1 d−1. This emission is much lower than those reported by previous studies for indoor hens rearing.

ACS Style

Jacopo Maffia; André J.A. Aarnink; Johan P.M. Ploegaert; Elio Dinuccio; Paolo Balsari; Hilko H. Ellen. Assessing particulate matter (PM10) emissions from outdoor runs in laying hen houses by integrating wind tunnel and lab-scale measurements. Biosystems Engineering 2021, 210, 1 -12.

AMA Style

Jacopo Maffia, André J.A. Aarnink, Johan P.M. Ploegaert, Elio Dinuccio, Paolo Balsari, Hilko H. Ellen. Assessing particulate matter (PM10) emissions from outdoor runs in laying hen houses by integrating wind tunnel and lab-scale measurements. Biosystems Engineering. 2021; 210 ():1-12.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Jacopo Maffia; André J.A. Aarnink; Johan P.M. Ploegaert; Elio Dinuccio; Paolo Balsari; Hilko H. Ellen. 2021. "Assessing particulate matter (PM10) emissions from outdoor runs in laying hen houses by integrating wind tunnel and lab-scale measurements." Biosystems Engineering 210, no. : 1-12.

Journal article
Published: 12 May 2021 in International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation
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Physicochemical pretreatments used to improve the bioconversion of recalcitrant lignocellulosic biomass generate toxic by-products, such as furan and phenols. In this study, 40 fungal strains were analyzed for their capability to grow with different concentrations of furfural, vanillin, 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde, and syringaldehyde. Byssochlamys nivea MUT 6321 showed promising growth performance when the inhibitors were used as single molecules and it was the only fungus that could grow when the four molecules were simultaneously present in the culture media. Further trials demonstrated that B. nivea was able to completely degrade furfural in 24 h and the phenolic aldehydes, as single molecules, in less than 11 days. In the presence of the three phenolic aldehydes, the fungus was able to transform them. However, when furfural was present in the mix, faster and preferential consumption of furfural instead of phenolic aldehydes was observed. This study provides important information for the use of this fungus to remove toxic compounds present in pretreated lignocellulosic biomass that could potentially lead to the enhancement of the efficiency of biofuels and chemicals production.

ACS Style

Andrea Zanellati; Federica Spina; Mariana Bonaterra; Elio Dinuccio; Giovanna Cristina Varese; Telma Eleonora Scarpeci. Screening and evaluation of phenols and furans degrading fungi for the biological pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 2021, 161, 105246 .

AMA Style

Andrea Zanellati, Federica Spina, Mariana Bonaterra, Elio Dinuccio, Giovanna Cristina Varese, Telma Eleonora Scarpeci. Screening and evaluation of phenols and furans degrading fungi for the biological pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass. International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation. 2021; 161 ():105246.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea Zanellati; Federica Spina; Mariana Bonaterra; Elio Dinuccio; Giovanna Cristina Varese; Telma Eleonora Scarpeci. 2021. "Screening and evaluation of phenols and furans degrading fungi for the biological pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass." International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation 161, no. : 105246.

Journal article
Published: 15 January 2021 in Sustainability
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The adoption of best available technologies (BATs) by the livestock sector has a fundamental role in developing a sustainable agricultural system. Italy is the EU member with the highest percentage of manure treated, but processing facilities are regionally scattered and the adoption of BATs is far from being scaled-up. The adoption is a matter of multicriteria decision-making and full knowledge on how to foster the transition is still lacking. The present research aims to deepen the available knowledge by analysing the perception of 40 pig farm managers about decision criteria behind the adopted manure management system across three different Italian regions. We assessed farms in Piemonte, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Veneto. All farms have adequate storage facilities, but 82.5% adopt no processing technique. The two most important decision criteria are economic, i.e., the minimization of treatment and spreading costs. The emerging picture allows us to conclude that BAT adoption is still adopted as a mere consequence of legal obligation. Economic constraints prevail as there is a lack of information and uncertainty. Clear perspectives and recognition of virtuous behavior prevent farmers from making decisions based on environmental or social criteria. Therefore, effective policies oriented to fill these gaps are needed to accelerate the transition towards sustainability.

ACS Style

Pietro De Marinis; Omar Ferrari; Erica Allisiardi; Chiara De Mattia; Giuliana Caliandro; Elio Dinuccio; Maurizio Borin; Paolo Ceccon; Guido Sali; Giorgio Provolo. Insights about the Choice of Pig Manure Processing System in Three Italian Regions: Piemonte, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Veneto. Sustainability 2021, 13, 787 .

AMA Style

Pietro De Marinis, Omar Ferrari, Erica Allisiardi, Chiara De Mattia, Giuliana Caliandro, Elio Dinuccio, Maurizio Borin, Paolo Ceccon, Guido Sali, Giorgio Provolo. Insights about the Choice of Pig Manure Processing System in Three Italian Regions: Piemonte, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Veneto. Sustainability. 2021; 13 (2):787.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pietro De Marinis; Omar Ferrari; Erica Allisiardi; Chiara De Mattia; Giuliana Caliandro; Elio Dinuccio; Maurizio Borin; Paolo Ceccon; Guido Sali; Giorgio Provolo. 2021. "Insights about the Choice of Pig Manure Processing System in Three Italian Regions: Piemonte, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Veneto." Sustainability 13, no. 2: 787.

Journal article
Published: 15 October 2020 in Sustainability
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Fungi can run feedstock pretreatment to improve the hydrolysis and utilization of recalcitrant lignocellulose-rich biomass during anaerobic digestion (AD). In this study, three fungal strains (Coprinopsis cinerea MUT 6385, Cyclocybe aegerita MUT 5639, Cephalotrichum stemonitis MUT 6326) were inoculated in the non-sterile solid fraction of digestate, with the aim to further (re)use it as a feedstock for AD. The application of fungal pretreatments induced changes in the plant cell wall polymers, and different profiles were observed among strains. Significant increases (p < 0.05) in the cumulative biogas and methane yields with respect to the untreated control were observed. The most effective pretreatment was carried out for 20 days with C. stemonitis, causing the highest hemicellulose, lignin, and cellulose reduction (59.3%, 9.6%, and 8.2%, respectively); the cumulative biogas and methane production showed a 182% and 214% increase, respectively, compared to the untreated control. The increase in AD yields was ascribable both to the addition of fungal biomass, which acted as an organic feedstock, and to the lignocellulose transformation due to fungal activity during pretreatments. The developed technologies have the potential to enhance the anaerobic degradability of solid digestate and untap its biogas potential for a further digestion step, thus allowing an improvement in the environmental and economic sustainability of the AD process and the better management of its by-products.

ACS Style

Andrea Zanellati; Federica Spina; Luca Rollé; Giovanna Cristina Varese; Elio Dinuccio. Fungal Pretreatments on Non-Sterile Solid Digestate to Enhance Methane Yield and the Sustainability of Anaerobic Digestion. Sustainability 2020, 12, 8549 .

AMA Style

Andrea Zanellati, Federica Spina, Luca Rollé, Giovanna Cristina Varese, Elio Dinuccio. Fungal Pretreatments on Non-Sterile Solid Digestate to Enhance Methane Yield and the Sustainability of Anaerobic Digestion. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (20):8549.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea Zanellati; Federica Spina; Luca Rollé; Giovanna Cristina Varese; Elio Dinuccio. 2020. "Fungal Pretreatments on Non-Sterile Solid Digestate to Enhance Methane Yield and the Sustainability of Anaerobic Digestion." Sustainability 12, no. 20: 8549.

Journal article
Published: 22 September 2020 in Biomass and Bioenergy
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A sustainable biogas production requires the use of a biomass that is not in competition with food production and does not require a high energy input for its production. Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) was evaluated at ensiling to establish its suitability for methane production. The cardoon was harvested at full bloom (Stage I) and seed ripening (Stage II), and was then treated with lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Higher fermentative products (lactic acid and ethanol) and DM losses were determined at Stage I than at Stage II. The advanced stage of maturity (Stage II) determined a higher fiber content and lower methane yield per tonne of volatile solids than at Stage I. No difference was observed between the methane production at harvesting and that after ensiling, thus indicating the ability of the ensiling process to conserve most of the energy of the crop at harvesting.

ACS Style

Francesco Ferrero; Elio Dinuccio; Luca Rollé; Ernesto Tabacco; Giorgio Borreani. Suitability of cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) harvested at two stages of maturity to ensiling and methane production. Biomass and Bioenergy 2020, 142, 105776 .

AMA Style

Francesco Ferrero, Elio Dinuccio, Luca Rollé, Ernesto Tabacco, Giorgio Borreani. Suitability of cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) harvested at two stages of maturity to ensiling and methane production. Biomass and Bioenergy. 2020; 142 ():105776.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Francesco Ferrero; Elio Dinuccio; Luca Rollé; Ernesto Tabacco; Giorgio Borreani. 2020. "Suitability of cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) harvested at two stages of maturity to ensiling and methane production." Biomass and Bioenergy 142, no. : 105776.

Journal article
Published: 25 September 2018 in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
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Expansion in global rabbit populations and in the number of rabbits raised for consumption necessitates assessment of the environmental impact and sustainability of rabbit production systems. This study undertook two evaluations: utilization (animal efficiency) of organic matter (OM) and nitrogen (N) produced from feed during rabbit fattening, and emission of ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from rabbit manure during its storage and land application in laboratory-simulated conditions. Results demonstrated manure contained approximately 30 and 65% of the OM and N in the daily feed intake, respectively. Additionally, rabbit manure was shown to produce sizeable NH3 and GHG emissions. Specifically, cumulative N losses from storage and subsequent land application averaged 32.4 (NH3) and 2.2% (N2O) of excreted TN; cumulative proportions of OM lost as CO2 and CH4 averaged 51.3 and 0.4%, respectively. Finally, while manure incorporation into the soil effectively abated NH3 emissions, it also showed its potential to increase N2O losses, a potent greenhouse gas (GHG). Future research should focus on identifying appropriate emission mitigation measures. Accurate field-scale measurements are also needed to make data available for the development of a reliable national emission inventory of the investigated gases.

ACS Style

Elio Dinuccio; Davide Biagini; Roberta Rosato; Paolo Balsari; Carla Lazzaroni. Organic matter and nitrogen balance in rabbit fattening and gaseous emissions during manure storage and simulated land application. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 2018, 269, 30 -38.

AMA Style

Elio Dinuccio, Davide Biagini, Roberta Rosato, Paolo Balsari, Carla Lazzaroni. Organic matter and nitrogen balance in rabbit fattening and gaseous emissions during manure storage and simulated land application. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 2018; 269 ():30-38.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elio Dinuccio; Davide Biagini; Roberta Rosato; Paolo Balsari; Carla Lazzaroni. 2018. "Organic matter and nitrogen balance in rabbit fattening and gaseous emissions during manure storage and simulated land application." Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 269, no. : 30-38.

Journal article
Published: 12 December 2017 in Sustainability
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Mechanical separation of co-digestate removes dry matter (DM) and phosphorous (P) from digestate effectively but is less capable at removing nitrogen (N) and potash (K). Adding flocculants can enhance separator efficiency. However, information on the use of chitosan as flocculant for co-digestate and its effects on amended slurry application to soil is scarce. This study undertook a series of trial and error tests to identify the optimal chitosan dose to be applied to co-digestate. Four chitosan doses were evaluated: 120 (Dose 1), 240 (Dose 2), 360 (Dose 3), and 480 (Dose 4) mL L−1 of co-digestate. After optimal dose application, centrifugation was employed to separate the co-digestate (centrifugation tests). We used simple separation indices to evaluate the effectiveness of chitosan addition prior to centrifuge usage. Dose optimization tests results indicated that incremental doses of chitosan had no effect (p > 0.05) on total N and it decreased (p < 0.05) total P removal to solids. Dose 3 showed a superior effect based on the physical characteristics evaluated and on the DM content of the fractions produced. Centrifugation tests results showed chitosan increased (p < 0.05) centrifugation efficiency for K, copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) (75, 36, and 51%, respectively) and had no effect on total N or P. The major findings show that the use of natural and relatively cheap polymer chitosan improves the efficacy of co-digestate centrifugation with respect to K, Cu, and Zn, lowering their load to arable land once a solid fraction is applied.

ACS Style

Olga Popovic; Fabrizio Gioelli; Elio Dinuccio; Luca Rollè; Paolo Balsari. Centrifugation of Digestate: The Effect of Chitosan on Separation Efficiency. Sustainability 2017, 9, 2302 .

AMA Style

Olga Popovic, Fabrizio Gioelli, Elio Dinuccio, Luca Rollè, Paolo Balsari. Centrifugation of Digestate: The Effect of Chitosan on Separation Efficiency. Sustainability. 2017; 9 (12):2302.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Olga Popovic; Fabrizio Gioelli; Elio Dinuccio; Luca Rollè; Paolo Balsari. 2017. "Centrifugation of Digestate: The Effect of Chitosan on Separation Efficiency." Sustainability 9, no. 12: 2302.

Crops and soils research papers
Published: 07 December 2017 in The Journal of Agricultural Science
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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: 01 January 2016 in Animal Production Science
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A study was performed to assess: (1) the feasibility to acidify the separated solid fraction of raw and co-digested pig slurry by using a powdery sulfur-based product; and (2) the effect of this acidification method on greenhouse gases and ammonia emissions during manure storage. Samples of raw and co-digested pig slurry were collected at two commercial farms and mechanically separated by a laboratory-scale screw press device. The sulfur powder (80% concentration) was added to the obtained separated solid fractions at three application rates: 0.5%, 1% and 2% (w/w). Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ammonia emissions were afterwards measured during storage of the acidified samples and compared with those measured from untreated samples (Control). Gaseous emissions were determined with dynamic chamber method by Infrared Photoacoustic Detection. Gaseous losses were monitored along 30 and 60 days of storage time for raw solid fraction and digested solid fraction, respectively. The addition of the tested sulfur powder to solid fractions showed to be a reliable and effective method to acidify raw and co-digested solid fractions. Results showed a significant reduction of both greenhouse gases and ammonia emission regardless of the separated solid fraction type. The highest sulfur application rate (2% w/w) led to a reduction of up to 78% of greenhouse gas emission and 65% of ammonia losses from raw separated solid fraction when compared with the Control. Similar results were achieved from the co-digested solid fraction, with emission reduction of up to 67% for ammonia and 61% for greenhouse gas.

ACS Style

F. Gioelli; E. Dinuccio; D. Cuk; L. Rollè; P. Balsari. Acidification with sulfur of the separated solid fraction of raw and co-digested pig slurry: effect on greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions during storage. Animal Production Science 2016, 56, 343 -349.

AMA Style

F. Gioelli, E. Dinuccio, D. Cuk, L. Rollè, P. Balsari. Acidification with sulfur of the separated solid fraction of raw and co-digested pig slurry: effect on greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions during storage. Animal Production Science. 2016; 56 (3):343-349.

Chicago/Turabian Style

F. Gioelli; E. Dinuccio; D. Cuk; L. Rollè; P. Balsari. 2016. "Acidification with sulfur of the separated solid fraction of raw and co-digested pig slurry: effect on greenhouse gas and ammonia emissions during storage." Animal Production Science 56, no. 3: 343-349.

Journal article
Published: 28 February 2014 in Journal of Agricultural Engineering
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A comparative study was set up in order to assess the technical feasibility of the long-term reuse of the mechanically separated co-digested solid fraction as a feedstock for anaerobic digestion plants (ADP). The biogas yields of two feedstock mixtures (A and B) were assessed in mesophilic conditions (40°C±2°C) using 6 lab-scale continuous stirredtank reactors. Feedstock mixture A (control) consisted of pig slurry (70%), farmyard manure (4%), sorghum silage (12%) and maize silage (14%). Feedstock mixture B was the same as the control plus the solid fraction derived from the mechanical separation of the output raw codigestate collected from the reactors. All reactors were fed simultaneously, three times a week, over a period of nine month. According to the study results, the reuse of the co-digested solid fraction as feedstock for ADP could increase the methane yield by approximately 4%. However, ADP efficiency evaluation (e.g., daily yield of methane per m3 of digester) suggests limiting this practice to a maximum time period of 120 days.

ACS Style

Elio Dinuccio; Fabrizio Gioelli; Dalibor Cuk; Luca Rollè; Paolo Balsari. The use of co-digested solid fraction as feedstock for biogas plants. Journal of Agricultural Engineering 2014, 44, 153 .

AMA Style

Elio Dinuccio, Fabrizio Gioelli, Dalibor Cuk, Luca Rollè, Paolo Balsari. The use of co-digested solid fraction as feedstock for biogas plants. Journal of Agricultural Engineering. 2014; 44 (4):153.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elio Dinuccio; Fabrizio Gioelli; Dalibor Cuk; Luca Rollè; Paolo Balsari. 2014. "The use of co-digested solid fraction as feedstock for biogas plants." Journal of Agricultural Engineering 44, no. 4: 153.

Journal article
Published: 08 September 2013 in Journal of Agricultural Engineering
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A comparative study was set up in order to assess the technical feasibility of the long-term reuse of the mechanically separated co-digested solid fraction as a feedstock for anaerobic digestion plants (ADP). The biogas yields of two feedstock mixtures (A and B) were assessed in mesophilic conditions (40 °C ± 2 °C) using 8 lab-scale continuous stirred-tank reactors (CSRT). Feedstock mixture A (control) consisted of pig slurry (70%), farmyard manure (4%), sorghum silage (12%) and maize silage (14%). Feedstock mixture B was the same as the control plus the solid fraction derived from the mechanical separation of the output raw co-digestate collected on daily basis from the reactors. All reactors were fed simultaneously, three times a week, over a period of nine month. According to the study results, the reuse of the co-digested solid fraction as feedstock for ADP could increase the methane yield by approximately 4%. However, ADP efficiency evaluation (e.g., daily yield of methane per m3 of digester) suggest to limit this practice to a maximum time period of 120 days.

ACS Style

E. Dinuccio; F. Gioelli; D. Cuk; L. Rollè; P. Balsari. The use of co-digested solid fraction as feedstock for biogas plants. Journal of Agricultural Engineering 2013, 44, 1 .

AMA Style

E. Dinuccio, F. Gioelli, D. Cuk, L. Rollè, P. Balsari. The use of co-digested solid fraction as feedstock for biogas plants. Journal of Agricultural Engineering. 2013; 44 (2s):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Dinuccio; F. Gioelli; D. Cuk; L. Rollè; P. Balsari. 2013. "The use of co-digested solid fraction as feedstock for biogas plants." Journal of Agricultural Engineering 44, no. 2s: 1.

Journal article
Published: 06 January 2013 in Journal of Agricultural Engineering
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The Journal of Agricultural Engineering is the official journal of the Italian Society of Agricultural Engineering - AIIA

ACS Style

E. Dinuccio; F. Gioelli; D. Cuk; L. Rolle; P. Balsari. The use of co-digested solid fraction as feedstock for biogas plants. Journal of Agricultural Engineering 2013, 44, 1 .

AMA Style

E. Dinuccio, F. Gioelli, D. Cuk, L. Rolle, P. Balsari. The use of co-digested solid fraction as feedstock for biogas plants. Journal of Agricultural Engineering. 2013; 44 (2s):1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Dinuccio; F. Gioelli; D. Cuk; L. Rolle; P. Balsari. 2013. "The use of co-digested solid fraction as feedstock for biogas plants." Journal of Agricultural Engineering 44, no. 2s: 1.

Journal article
Published: 15 June 2012 in Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment
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The effect of combined chemical–mechanical pig slurry separation on ammonia (NH3) emissions was investigated in a field scale study. We determined the amount of volatized ammonia emitted from the solid and liquid fractions of raw pig slurry during its storage and after its broadcast to an alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) meadow under summer and winter conditions. The solid fraction accounted for the largest NH3 losses during both storage and land application. Chemical–mechanical separation of raw pig slurry under winter conditions caused a slight (−2%) reduction in NH3 emissions during manure management (storage + broadcast application), as opposed to an emission increase of as much as 17% for separation under summer conditions. Evidence from this study suggests that environmental benefits are possible if solid and liquid fractions are managed using state-of-the-art NH3 mitigation options, such as covered manure storage and band spread slurry application.

ACS Style

E. Dinuccio; F. Gioelli; P. Balsari; N. Dorno. Ammonia losses from the storage and application of raw and chemo-mechanically separated slurry. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 2012, 153, 16 -23.

AMA Style

E. Dinuccio, F. Gioelli, P. Balsari, N. Dorno. Ammonia losses from the storage and application of raw and chemo-mechanically separated slurry. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment. 2012; 153 ():16-23.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Dinuccio; F. Gioelli; P. Balsari; N. Dorno. 2012. "Ammonia losses from the storage and application of raw and chemo-mechanically separated slurry." Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment 153, no. : 16-23.

Journal article
Published: 01 November 2011 in Bioresource Technology
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Biogas plants daily produce enormous volumes of digestate that can be handled in its raw form or after mechanical separation. In Italy, effluents are usually stored within aboveground, uncovered tanks, which make them potential emitters of biogas into the atmosphere. The purpose of this study was to estimate the amount of biogas emitted to the atmosphere during the storage phase of non-separated digestate and digested liquid fraction. The trials were performed at two northwest Italy 1 MWel. biogas plants. A floating system for the residual biogas recovery, and a set of three wind tunnels for NH3 emission measurement were used. The experiment demonstrated significant loss to the atmosphere for each of the gases; specifically, on average, 19.5 and 7.90 N m3 biogas MWhel.(-1) were emitted daily from the storage tanks of non-separated digestate and digested liquid fraction, respectively.

ACS Style

F. Gioelli; E. Dinuccio; P. Balsari. Residual biogas potential from the storage tanks of non-separated digestate and digested liquid fraction. Bioresource Technology 2011, 102, 10248 -10251.

AMA Style

F. Gioelli, E. Dinuccio, P. Balsari. Residual biogas potential from the storage tanks of non-separated digestate and digested liquid fraction. Bioresource Technology. 2011; 102 (22):10248-10251.

Chicago/Turabian Style

F. Gioelli; E. Dinuccio; P. Balsari. 2011. "Residual biogas potential from the storage tanks of non-separated digestate and digested liquid fraction." Bioresource Technology 102, no. 22: 10248-10251.

Journal article
Published: 03 June 2011 in The Journal of Agricultural Science
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SUMMARYAmmonia (NH3) volatilization from soil-applied manure not only causes environmental pollution but also reduces the fertilization value of the manure. Anaerobic digestion and solid/liquid separation alter the physical and chemical characteristics of slurry, which affect NH3 emissions after application. The present study measured potential laboratory NH3 losses from different manures, untreated pig slurry and the liquid fractions of each untreated and digested slurry, after their application to two different soil types. The experiment was carried out in dynamic chambers using a photoacoustic infrared gas analyser to determine the NH3 concentration in the air stream directly.The estimated values of nitrogen (N) emitted for surface-applied, untreated pig slurry were 0·26±0·064 mg per mg of applied total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN). For the liquid fractions of pig slurry and digested pig slurry, results were 0·13±0·064 and 0·16±0·064 mg/mg, respectively. Initial NH3–N emission rates from surface-applied, untreated pig slurry were higher than those measured for either liquid fraction; in the case of the untreated pig slurry, half was emitted in the first 4·9 h of measurement. Silty-loam soil showed a higher N emission than loam soil with surface-applied slurries. This result was probably due to the higher infiltration rate of loam soil, even offsetting the effect of its high soil pH. Immediate manure incorporation into the soil was shown to reduce NH3 emissions by 82%. Results demonstrated that a method combining dynamic chambers with a photoacoustic gas analyser was as reliable as the widely used acid traps method. Moreover, direct measurement with the gas analyser permits an increasing temporal resolution that gave a high-quality description of the NH3 emission dynamic.

ACS Style

Stefano Monaco; Dario Sacco; S. Pelissetti; E. Dinuccio; P. Balsari; M. Rostami; Carlo Grignani. Laboratory assessment of ammonia emission after soil application of treated and untreated manures. The Journal of Agricultural Science 2011, 150, 65 -73.

AMA Style

Stefano Monaco, Dario Sacco, S. Pelissetti, E. Dinuccio, P. Balsari, M. Rostami, Carlo Grignani. Laboratory assessment of ammonia emission after soil application of treated and untreated manures. The Journal of Agricultural Science. 2011; 150 (1):65-73.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Stefano Monaco; Dario Sacco; S. Pelissetti; E. Dinuccio; P. Balsari; M. Rostami; Carlo Grignani. 2011. "Laboratory assessment of ammonia emission after soil application of treated and untreated manures." The Journal of Agricultural Science 150, no. 1: 65-73.

Journal article
Published: 27 April 2011 in Animal Feed Science and Technology
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Effects of cattle slurry mechanical separation on CO2, CH4, N2O and NH3 emissions during slurry management under winter conditions were investigated in a laboratory study. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during storage and soil application of raw cattle slurry by broadcasting of its liquid and solid fractions were assessed. Carbon dioxide was the predominant emission source during storage and soil application of manure on a CO2-eq basis, but CH4 was the predominant GHG emission from stored slurries. During storage, NH3 fluxes from liquid fractions were higher than from the solid fraction, but the solid fraction was the main source of NH3 emissions after land application and ∼70% of total ammoniacal N applied to soil was lost. Combining losses during storage and after soil application of both liquid and solid fractions, CO2-eq emissions of combined fractions were 11% higher than from raw cattle slurry. Results suggest that mechanical separation of cattle slurry should not be used by farmers unless other GHG emission reduction measures are adopted. This paper is part of the special issue entitled: Greenhouse Gases in Animal Agriculture – Finding a Balance between Food and Emissions, Guest Edited by T.A. McAllister, Section Guest Editors: K.A. Beauchemin, X. Hao, S. McGinn and Editor for Animal Feed Science and Technology, P.H. Robinson.

ACS Style

E. Dinuccio; W. Berg; P. Balsari. Effects of mechanical separation on GHG and ammonia emissions from cattle slurry under winter conditions. Animal Feed Science and Technology 2011, 166-167, 532 -538.

AMA Style

E. Dinuccio, W. Berg, P. Balsari. Effects of mechanical separation on GHG and ammonia emissions from cattle slurry under winter conditions. Animal Feed Science and Technology. 2011; 166-167 ():532-538.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Dinuccio; W. Berg; P. Balsari. 2011. "Effects of mechanical separation on GHG and ammonia emissions from cattle slurry under winter conditions." Animal Feed Science and Technology 166-167, no. : 532-538.

Journal article
Published: 31 January 2011 in Bioresource Technology
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Anaerobic digestion plants rely on large-capacity storage tanks to manage the agronomic utilisation of the digestate. As a consequence, many Italian A.D. plants have introduced mechanical separation of the digested slurry to simplify process requirements. This study evaluated the possibility of reusing mechanically-separated solid fraction as a further biomass input anaerobic digestion plants. The effects of storage and thermal pre-treatment on digested solid fraction were assessed through biogas and methane yield measures, and then compared to the yields associated with undigested solid fraction of raw pig slurry. The specific CH4 yields of digested solid fractions ranged between 71.4 and 156.9 lN/kg VS, whereas the biogas yield from undigested solid fractions was 78.7 lN/kg VS. Solid fraction storage showed no significant effect on specific CH4 yields in any of the examined samples. However, in the case of the undigested solid fraction, thermal pre-treatment proved to be an effective method to increase CH4.

ACS Style

S. Menardo; P. Balsari; E. Dinuccio; Fabrizio Gioelli. Thermal pre-treatment of solid fraction from mechanically-separated raw and digested slurry to increase methane yield. Bioresource Technology 2011, 102, 2026 -2032.

AMA Style

S. Menardo, P. Balsari, E. Dinuccio, Fabrizio Gioelli. Thermal pre-treatment of solid fraction from mechanically-separated raw and digested slurry to increase methane yield. Bioresource Technology. 2011; 102 (2):2026-2032.

Chicago/Turabian Style

S. Menardo; P. Balsari; E. Dinuccio; Fabrizio Gioelli. 2011. "Thermal pre-treatment of solid fraction from mechanically-separated raw and digested slurry to increase methane yield." Bioresource Technology 102, no. 2: 2026-2032.

Short communication
Published: 31 May 2010 in Bioresource Technology
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Batch trials were carried out to asses the biogas productivity potential of rice and barley straw, grape stalks, grape marcs, maize drying up residues, tomato skins and seeds, and whey. Trials were carried out in 2 l glass digesters kept in a thermostate controlled room at 40 °C for 40 days. The most productive biomasses, in terms of specific methane yield, were the whey and the maize drying up residues. Their specific methane yields were 501 and 317 lN CH4∗kg SV−1, respectively. Barley and rice straw gave a specific methane yield of 229 and 195 lN∗kg VS−1. Similar result was also obtained from tomato skins and seeds. Grape stalks and grape marcs produced lowest amounts of specific methane, respectively, 98 and 116 lN CH4∗kg SV−1. According to trial results and considering the availability of examined biomasses in Italy, it is possible to estimate their total energetic potential close to a value of 21,900 TJ∗year−1. This energetic potential value is equal to that obtainable from the anaerobic digestion of about 6.5 million tons of maize silage.

ACS Style

E. Dinuccio; P. Balsari; Fabrizio Gioelli; S. Menardo. Evaluation of the biogas productivity potential of some Italian agro-industrial biomasses. Bioresource Technology 2010, 101, 3780 -3783.

AMA Style

E. Dinuccio, P. Balsari, Fabrizio Gioelli, S. Menardo. Evaluation of the biogas productivity potential of some Italian agro-industrial biomasses. Bioresource Technology. 2010; 101 (10):3780-3783.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Dinuccio; P. Balsari; Fabrizio Gioelli; S. Menardo. 2010. "Evaluation of the biogas productivity potential of some Italian agro-industrial biomasses." Bioresource Technology 101, no. 10: 3780-3783.

Journal article
Published: 31 March 2008 in Atmospheric Environment
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A laboratory-scale study was set up to investigate ammonia (NH3), nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) emissions during storage of untreated pig and cattle slurry and the fractions (solid and liquid) obtained by mechanical separation. The solid and liquid fractions were obtained from the same untreated slurry by means of a lab-scale mechanical separator. The manures were stored for a period of 30 days in open vessels (1500 cm3 capacity) in two temperature-controlled rooms, which were kept at 5±0.5 and 25±0.2 °C. Gaseous emissions were determined using a dynamic chamber method and infrared photoacoustic detection (IPD). Over the storage period, gaseous emissions from pig manures were significantly (P<0.05) higher than those from cattle manures. N2O fluxes of up to 232 mg m−2 h−1 were measured, but from pig solid fraction only. Between 40.8% (from pig liquid fraction stored at 25 °C) and 3.60% (from untreated cattle slurry stored at 25 °C) of the initial nitrogen content of the manures was lost as NH3. Over the 30-day-storage period, the predominant emission of carbon was in the CO2 form. Total C-CH4 losses, expressed as a percent of the carbon initially present in the volatile solids (C-VS), ranged from 0.60% to 12.8% for pig manures and from 0.23% to 1.56% for cattle manures. The mechanical separation of cattle slurry increased by up to 30% the emissions of CO2 equivalents to the atmosphere, during the storage of the separated fractions, when compared with the slurries. Results indicated that NH3, N2O, CO2 and CH4 emissions were affected by the interaction between a number of variables, including storage temperature, chemical characteristics and type of manure. Results also indicated that mechanical separation does not reduce emissions, but has the potential to increase the emissions of CO2 equivalents to the atmosphere during the storage of the separated fractions.

ACS Style

E. Dinuccio; W. Berg; P. Balsari. Gaseous emissions from the storage of untreated slurries and the fractions obtained after mechanical separation. Atmospheric Environment 2008, 42, 2448 -2459.

AMA Style

E. Dinuccio, W. Berg, P. Balsari. Gaseous emissions from the storage of untreated slurries and the fractions obtained after mechanical separation. Atmospheric Environment. 2008; 42 (10):2448-2459.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Dinuccio; W. Berg; P. Balsari. 2008. "Gaseous emissions from the storage of untreated slurries and the fractions obtained after mechanical separation." Atmospheric Environment 42, no. 10: 2448-2459.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2008 in Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture
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Emissions of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O) and ammonia (NH3) during the storage of rough pig slurry and the fractions (solid and liquid) obtained by mechanical separation were investigated in a laboratory-scale study. Manures were stored for a period of 30 days in open vessels (1500 cm3 capacity) within a climate-controlled room which was kept at 25 ± 0.2°C. Gaseous emissions were determined with the dynamic chamber method by infrared photoacoustic detection. The main GHG emission from the liquid manures was CH4. CH4 losses from both liquid and solid fractions together were 3% higher than from the rough slurry. CO2 losses from both liquid and solid fractions together increased by 10% compared with rough pig slurry. Appreciable N2O fluxes were only measured from the solid fraction. Combining the losses during the storage of both liquid and solid fraction, they resulted in reduced NH3 emissions compared with the storage of the rough pig slurry. Evidence from the present study suggests that mechanical separation of pig slurry has the potential to increase up to 25% the emission of CO2-equivalents to the atmosphere during the storage of the separated fractions if compared with the rough slurry.

ACS Style

E. Dinuccio; P. Balsari; W. Berg. GHG emissions during the storage of rough pig slurry and the fractions obtained by mechanical separation. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 2008, 48, 93 -95.

AMA Style

E. Dinuccio, P. Balsari, W. Berg. GHG emissions during the storage of rough pig slurry and the fractions obtained by mechanical separation. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture. 2008; 48 (2):93-95.

Chicago/Turabian Style

E. Dinuccio; P. Balsari; W. Berg. 2008. "GHG emissions during the storage of rough pig slurry and the fractions obtained by mechanical separation." Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 48, no. 2: 93-95.