2 ms·

Would combustion affect poop’s fertilizing qualities, or spread bad stuff around in the steam and smoke?

• masklinn 4y ago
  Assuming the point is mostly nitrates and minerals, I don’t think they would be would be much affected, though the aggregation properties of the manure may be? On the other hand, combustion could also help with destroying the antibiotics found in the manure, which spread to the soil and accumulate in produce.
  • masklinn 4y ago
    (Obviously that’s a modern manure issue, not historical).
  • deepdriver 4y ago
    Did some searching, looks like pyrolysis can convert waste into biochar in way that eliminates pathogens: https://www.susana.org/_resources/documents/default/2-1832-2-1624-von-herzen.pdf https://www.susana.org/_resources/documents/default/2-1832-2... >Complete elimination of pathogens from Human Solid Waste (HSW) is a priority of our biochar reactor. By heating an appropriate flow of input material to high temperatures above 450 C for about 15 minutes, the material thoroughly chars, causing a 100% elimination of pathogens. Doesn't say anything about heavy metals or pharmaceuticals. In particular I don't know whether heat can denature or destroy birth control hormones like ethinylestradiol. If it's suspended in water, it can be removed through a reverse osmosis or activated charcoal filter. Maybe leaching before charring and filtering the runoff would help? Dunno.
    • deleted 4y ago
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