Machinery for the production of organic fertilizer and soil conditioner from animal manure

A processing machinery than can efficiently handle animal manure and other raw materials for the production of organic fertilizer and soil conditioner was developed. Performance of this machine was evaluated. The organic fertilizer was produced using a breaker mill, which pulverized composted swine and chicken manure and mushroom spawn. The horizontal mixer thoroughly agitated and mixed sticky materials. The briquetter and pelletizer were used as molders. Two types of briquetter were used: one was similar to existing machines used for charcoal and agricultural wastes. The other can make 12 briquettes at a single loading and processing. This can produce briquettes with about 1-inch diameter hole at the center for planting young seedlings. The machine performed well without clogging and had an overall capacity of about 200 kg/hour of composted swine and chicken manure. The pelletized chicken and swine manure, in combination with mushroom spawn and binders at different proportions, had an average diameter of 6 mm and length of 17 mm, average weight of 0.4 g, average hardness of about 9 kg force, and average bulk density of 471 kg/cu m. On the average, the pelletized organic fertilizer had nitrogen content of 2.71 percent; phosphorus, 3.41 percent; potassium, 1.78 percent; and calcium, 1.56 percent. Substantial amounts of magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, zinc, and other organic contents were also measured. The pH level was 7.0. The briquetted organic fertilizer had an average particle weight of 13 g much higher than the pellet form. The thickness varied from 21 to 52 mm. Particle weight ranged from 13 to 32 g/briquette. Briquettes as potting medium for plant seedlings had an average dimension of 60 x 60 x 120 mm with a hole of one inch in diameter at the center of one end. The mean weight of each briquette was 304 g. Costs of machinery for the production of pelletized manure were: P25,000 (breaker mill); P25,000 (mixer); P70,000 (pelletizer); and P55,000 (dryer) for a total of P175,000. Cost of production was estimated at P1.45/kg and P72.50/bag of 50 kg. Investment cost for the 12-cell mold briquetter was P20,000 and the drying racks, P15,000 for a total of P35,000. The estimated production cost was P0.54/briquette