Bacillus Strain Microbial Control for Manure Pit Foam
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Solution Overview
Problem
Swine manure pits experience excessive foaming, leading to decreased capacity and increased hazards due to trapped flammable gases, which existing defoaming agents fail to address effectively as they only provide transient solutions without controlling the underlying biological process.
Innovation Solution
Administering specific Bacillus strains, such as B. licheniformis 842, B. subtilis 27, and B. licheniformis 21, to the animals or directly to the manure pits to alter microbial ecology and reduce foam formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If defoaming agents are applied to the manure pit surface, then foam is temporarily broken down, but the underlying biological process continues and foam quickly reforms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies defoaming agents that not only break down existing foam but also alter the biological processes in the manure pit to prevent foam formation. By converting the harmful foam-producing microbial activity into beneficial foam-reducing conditions through chemical intervention, the solution addresses both the symptom (foam) and the root cause (microbial ecology).
Solution Approach 2:
The defoaming agents change the chemical and biological parameters of the manure pit environment, including pH, redox potential, and microbial population composition. These parameter changes create conditions unfavorable for foam-forming bacteria while promoting foam-free anaerobic digestion conditions.
2Productivity
If anaerobic decomposition occurs in the manure pit, then methane and carbon dioxide are produced, but excessive foam forms that decreases pit capacity and creates safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces defoaming agents as intermediary substances that mediate between the anaerobic decomposition process and foam formation. These agents act as chemical intermediaries that interfere with the foam-stabilizing mechanisms without completely inhibiting the beneficial anaerobic digestion process, allowing methane production to continue while preventing foam accumulation.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the chemical parameters of the manure pit environment through defoaming agent application, the system maintains optimal conditions for anaerobic decomposition (producing methane and carbon dioxide) while simultaneously altering surface tension and microbial activity to prevent foam formation. This decouples the beneficial gas production from the harmful foam byproduct.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The Bacillus strains effectively control foam formation by shifting nutrient utilization and altering the microbial population, thereby reducing gas production and foam matrix availability, leading to a more stable anaerobic digestion process and decreased incidence of foaming.
Implementation Method 1
Administering specific Bacillus strains, such as B. licheniformis 842, B. subtilis 27, and B. licheniformis 21, to the animals or directly to the manure pits to alter microbial ecology and reduce foam formation
Implementation Method 2
Storage of swine manure under these anaerobic conditions results in emissions of gaseous compounds, such as methane and hydrogen sulfide, from anaerobic microbial fermentation of manure substrates
Implementation Method 3
This foam formation decreases manure pit capacity as foam rises up through the slatted floors and comes in contact with animals
Data Source
AI summary
A method of controlling foam in a manure pit. In the method, one or more Bacillus strain(s) is administered in an effective amount to animals whose manure is stored in the manure pit. Also provided is a method of controlling foam in a manure storage unit. In the method, one or more Bacillus strain(s) is administered in an effective amount to the manure storage unit.