The swine industry in North Carolina is currently under a growth moratorium until a suitable replacement for existing waste treatment technology is approved. Release of methane and other odor causing gases contribute to global warming while the inefficient use of nutrients from the waste continues to cause problems for the industry. Rural economic development is being stifled while the regulators search for a waste solution that can be applied to existing farms as well as new facilities. Barham Farms has built and operated a covered anaerobic lagoon that reduces odor problems while producing energy and heat from the biogas. The farm is currently adding a hydroponic greenhouse for tomato production, an intensive recirculating aquaculture facility for fish production, and a compost facility to allow Barham Farms to more fully use the waste heat and nutrients. This project will monitor the operation of the new resource recovery facilities to optimize performance and determine co-functionality. Measurements will be taken to develop design criteria for properly sizing these systems in the future.
Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Since the technology is being developed on an existing farm, a workable solution developed here will be applicable to other farms. Future applications of this integrated approach may require some engineering support, which will be provided by ARCADIS. Anticipated benefits of the project will be reduction of odor and greenhouse gases with better utilization of nutrients from the swine waste.
