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Linee guida per la costruzione di una compostiera dotata di dispositivi per le misurazioni dei gas a effetto serra (anidride carbonica, metano e protossido di azoto) e di ammoniaca, generati durante il processo di compostaggio. Il dispositivo risulta chiuso e di dimensioni ridotte per poter valutare pienamente le emissioni di una massa definita e posta in un sistema chiuso, ma dotato di sistema per il ricircolo dell'aria.

In the last decade, hop cultivation has seen greater interest in small and medium-sized farms due to the rising importance of craft beer microbreweries requiring local raw materials. However, high investments are needed for mechanized harvesters. Small-scale farms cannot face these costs; thus, manual harvesting of hop cones is frequently adopted. The study investigated the risks for the health and safety of operators during manual and mechanized harvesting, also examining musculoskeletal disorders the workers can incur. A literature review and secondary data analysis investigated risk factors associated with the manual and mechanized harvesting process. Furthermore, the operator's workload related to the hop cones picking time was analyzed based on international standards. The results showed that operators face several critical issues during the different tasks of the manual harvesting of hops (e.g. cutting and removing the bines from the field and the manual cones picking). Some of the operations are carried out at height with the risk of falling and assuming bad postures that can pose risks to the operator's health. Furthermore, the study points out major health concerns for the workers because of the repetitiveness of the operations they have to carry out. The mechanization of harvesting involves a significant increase in efficiency by reducing the number of operators involved. This results in an improvement in operators' health conditions. However, the harvesting equipment can represent a safety risk for the operators because of their interaction with the moving parts of the machinery.

In recent years, agricultural robotics has received great attention in research studies, being considered a way to address some important issues of the agricultural sector, such as precision agriculture, resources saving, improvement of safety conditions, and shortage of human labor. These issues are particularly relevant in greenhouse production systems, where many highly repetitive and sometimes dangerous operations are still required to be performed by humans. The purpose of the present review is providing an overview of the research conducted in recent years related to robotic automation for greenhouse applications. The currently available literature about robots and automated solutions for greenhouse applications has been reviewed through the consultation of international databases of journals. A total of 38 publications were included after screening and the information related to each retrieved automated solution was classified. The research highlighted great variability among studies, which often describe automation solutions designed for specific crops and define the specific “supporting tasks” necessary for the completion of a “main task”. Specifically, the technologies used for guidance and navigation systems, crop detection and fruit grasping system, spraying system, and other minor supporting tasks have been described. Furthermore, a critical appraisal of the main challenges of the sector and future research directions are provided.

Le soluzioni tecnologiche perseguite dal progetto EASYHOP concorreranno a rendere virtuosa la filiera brassicola italiana e, più specificatamente, quella piemontese. EASYHOP intende sviluppare un prototipo di macchina operatrice ad azionamento elettrico in grado di meccanizzare il distacco dei coni dai tralci. EASYHOP svilupperà inoltre un sistema di densificazione "a freddo" dei coni al fine di preservare le proprietà organolettiche del prodotto durante le fasi di stoccaggio. Il progetto si articola in 3 Work Packages: WP1: Management di progetto; WP2: Sviluppo e implementazione di un sistema meccanizzato per la raccolta del luppolo; WP3: Sviluppo di un sistema di densificazione dei coni di luppolo essiccati. Il presente rapporto di progetto rientra nel WP3 e descrive i risultati delle prove sperimentali di densificazione dei coni di luppolo

Composting is an aerobic process that involves the decomposition of the urban waste leading, in accordance with the paradigm of the circular economy, to a stabilized final product rich in fertilizer properties. However, adopting this organic fertilizer may encounter significant barriers since many users still associate compost from organic municipal solid waste (OMSWC) with environmental and health hazards like soil contamination and bad odour. In this context, conveying information about compost use and properties with the appropriate communication channels could help overcome misguided beliefs about OMSWC. The present study investigated which drivers would encourage compost adoption and how the frequency of information through specific sources could influence the interest in using compost among potential users. Three main drivers were identified by surveying 59 potential compost users: providing a certification to the product, receiving more information about the origin of the material, and obtaining evidence about its positive effects on soil. Statistical analysis showed a positive association between frequent use of magazines/advertising as an information source and users' interest in adopting compost. In addition, results pointed out that potential users with higher education levels (with bachelor's degree or above) are more likely to use OMSWC than others. In conclusion, the present study suggests that it would be appropriate to redefine targeted communication campaigns to promote the benefits associated with the compost application for agricultural purposes.

SICOMPOSTA si propone di incrementare il valore e la qualità del compost. L'innovazione di processo che si intende sviluppare mira, attraverso la realizzazione di un prototipo di macchina deplastificatrice, a minimizzare la presenza di frazioni plastiche dal sovvallo e, quindi, dal compost finale. L'innovazione di prodotto coincide con la produzione di fertilizzanti organo minerali e di ammendanti in grado di valorizzare il solfato di ammonio - sottoprodotto derivante dall'impianto di depurazione delle arie esauste e dei percolati generati dal processo di compostaggio, semplificare la distribuzione in campo di un materiale che, allo stato attuale, necessita di attrezzature specifiche allargando di fatto il bacino di possibili utilizzatori finali e ridurre i costi di trasporto, stoccaggio e movimentazione. Il progetto si articola in 4 Work Packages: WP1: Management di progetto; WP2: Qualità del compost; WP3: Eliminazione della frazione plastica dal sovvallo; WP4: Valorizzazione agronomica del compost. Il presente rapporto di progetto rientra nel WP4 e descrive i risultati delle prove sperimentali di densificazione del compost.

Le soluzioni tecnologiche perseguite dal progetto EASYHOP concorreranno a rendere virtuosa la filiera brassicola italiana e, più specificatamente, quella piemontese. EASYHOP intende sviluppare un prototipo di macchina operatrice ad azionamento elettrico in grado di meccanizzare il distacco dei coni dai tralci. EASYHOP svilupperà inoltre un sistema di densificazione "a freddo" dei coni al fine di preservare le proprietà organolettiche del prodotto durante le fasi di stoccaggio. Il progetto si articola in 3 Work Packages: WP1: Management di progetto; WP2: Sviluppo e implementazione di un sistema meccanizzato per la raccolta del luppolo; WP3: Sviluppo di un sistema di densificazione dei coni di luppolo essiccati. Il presente rapporto di progetto rientra nel WP2 e definisce l'Esame dello stato dell'arte e ricerca brevettuale/di mercato delle soluzioni attualmente disponibili sul mercato per la raccolta meccanizzata del luppolo.

SICOMPOSTA si propone di incrementare il valore e la qualità del compost. L'innovazione di processo che si intende sviluppare mira, attraverso la realizzazione di un prototipo di macchina deplastificatrice, a minimizzare la presenza di frazioni plastiche dal sovvallo e, quindi, dal compost finale. L'innovazione di prodotto coincide con la produzione di fertilizzanti organo minerali e di ammendanti in grado di valorizzare il solfato di ammonio - sottoprodotto derivante dall'impianto di depurazione delle arie esauste e dei percolati generati dal processo di compostaggio, semplificare la distribuzione in campo di un materiale che, allo stato attuale, necessita di attrezzature specifiche allargando di fatto il bacino di possibili utilizzatori finali e ridurre i costi di trasporto, stoccaggio e movimentazione. Il progetto si articola in 4 Work Packages: WP1: Management di progetto; WP2: Qualità del compost; WP3: Eliminazione della frazione plastica dal sovvallo; WP4: Valorizzazione agronomica del compost. Il presente rapporto di progetto rientra nel WP4 e descrive i risultati delle prove sperimentali di densificazione del compost.

Le soluzioni tecnologiche perseguite dal progetto EASYHOP concorreranno a rendere virtuosa la filiera brassicola italiana e, più specificatamente, quella piemontese. EASYHOP intende sviluppare un prototipo di macchina operatrice ad azionamento elettrico in grado di meccanizzare il distacco dei coni dai tralci. EASYHOP svilupperà inoltre un sistema di densificazione "a freddo" dei coni al fine di preservare le proprietà organolettiche del prodotto durante le fasi di stoccaggio. Il progetto si articola in 3 Work Packages: WP1: Management di progetto; WP2: Sviluppo e implementazione di un sistema meccanizzato per la raccolta del luppolo; WP3: Sviluppo di un sistema di densificazione dei coni di luppolo essiccati. Il presente rapporto di progetto rientra nel WP3 e definisce l'Esame dello stato dell'arte e ricerca brevettuale/di mercato delle soluzioni attualmente disponibili sul mercato per la densificazione dei coni di luppolo essiccati.

Silage is one of the typical systems to preserve biomass usually oriented from corn, sorghum, wheat, grass, and other forage and perennial crops. A critical task within the logistics operations in silage production, i.e. harvesting, transporting, and compacting, is the management of the biomass flow, in connection with the biomass storage system and the required conditions of the stored product depending on its further purpose of use. A key issue in large-scale silage production operations is the matching of the material processing capacity of forage harvester with the material removal capacity of transport units and the material processing capacity of the compactor, in order to maintain a steady material flow. This allows for the optimisation of the working chain. The objective of the paper is the development of a decision support system that for a given silage production system determines the configuration of the optimal number of transport units in each field of an area to be harvested that minimises the total operational cost of the production system under time constraints for the completion of the operation. The tool consists of the combination of two models, a simulation model and a linear programming based optimisation model. The simulation model was validated based on field trials. The simulation model generates a series of results regarding total operating time and total operation cost for different configuration of the allocated transport units based on machinery and field features, which results are used to build the cost matrix of the optimisation model. The capabilities of both the simulation model, as an individual tool, and the complete decision support tool were demonstrated. The tool provides performance evaluation measures that consider the interaction of the various parts of the working chain and can be easily tuned for other silage operations with different crops.

Composting represents an alternative for the management of the organic fraction from municipal waste. However, the adoption of compost made from municipal waste is not yet widespread across all European countries, including Italy. Being ‘professional’ (i.e., farmers and gardeners) and ‘hobbyists’ the most representative categories of compost buyers in Italy, this study investigated their attitude toward municipal waste compost adoption and their purchasing pattern, pointing out criticalities and strategies to promote a wider use of this kind of compost. For the two categories of users, frequency of use of different information, buying habits, opinions on marketing issues, and factors which encourage compost utilization were investigated. The ‘professionals’ and ‘hobbyists’ reported different purchasing behaviors in terms of quantity, frequency, and preferred packaging format. The capability of compost from municipal waste to improve soil characteristics and its low environmental impact were identified as the most significant aspects for users, while availability of economic subsidies was not a determining factor for municipal waste compost adoption. With regard to the information sources, the broader use of personal communication channels like peers’ suggestions may have influence on compost adoption pointing out how social influence can promote sustainable behavior and influence users’ purchasing choices.

Il WP 6 del Progetto si articola in tre task: 1. Messa a punto ambiente dedicato presso CNR STEMS (fino al 30/09/2020 IMAMOTER) 2. Test in ambiente dedicato 3. Test in ambiente reale Il programma del progetto prevede che le attività siano condotte da personale CNR con la collaborazione (in fase di test) di personale Smartec che si occuperà di garantire il funzionamento del prototipo, di riparare eventuali danneggiamenti e di analizzare eventuali malfunzionamenti. Il task 6.1 - Messa a punto ambiente dedicato presso CNR è prevista l'installazione di una serra e la compartimentazione degli spazi interni con la successiva piantumazione della vegetazione ritenuta più adeguata per lo svolgimento dei test. È inoltre previsto che siano installati tutti gli accessori necessari per il corretto funzionamento del prototipo (attività svolta in collaborazione Smartec-Imamoter). Il deliverable previsto per il task 6.1 dal programma è l'installazione di una serra attrezzata presso spazi CNR.

This study aimed at exploring the frequency of use and perceived benefits of application of organic matter to the soil in a group of Italian farmers, investigating also the preferred sources of information, to identify potential interventions to promote the improvement of the soil organic matter. The study has been carried out administering a 21-item paper-and-pencil questionnaire to 44 farmers. The results of the study highlighted that the main perceived benefit linked to soil organic matter application is related to its capacity of increasing productivity, while the aspects related to work pace, production costs, and implications with the climate change appeared to be less relevant. According to the results of the study, web targeted information campaigns for the smaller farms operators and training activities for the bigger farms operators are the most effective solutions to make farmers aware of the importance of increasing soil organic matter content.

The composting process allows one to minimize quantities of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW) disposed through landfills. Compost obtained from OFMSW is not yet widespread across all European countries, including Italy. Even though previous studies emphasized the role that social interaction and socio-demographic users’ characteristics may have toward the adoption of sustainable practices, to our knowledge, few studies have specifically addressed OFMSW compost. Considering the need to integrate the social perspective in sustainable agriculture literature, further research is required regarding the intention to adopt this organic product, especially among potential users. A questionnaire was used to investigate potential users’ level of interest in using OFMSW compost and their a priori perceptions on its fertilizing properties, if anyone ever suggested using OFMSW compost, as well as the participants’ socio-demographic characteristics. Fifty-eight participants were involved. The results demonstrated a significant association between education level and received suggestions from peer or social networks in the interest of adopting OFMSW compost. In addition, participants who received suggestions had higher odds of being highly interested in adopting OFMSW compost versus those who did not receive it. In conclusion, institutions, where formal knowledge has a place, and agricultural policy makers should be engaged with the aim to facilitate knowledge exchange and connections among different actors, supporting local-level initiatives.

Nowadays, it is well known that the productivity, quality and ecological functioning of soils are strongly connected with soil organic matter. More in detail, soil organic matter ensures nutrients accumulation, soil pH buffering capacity, soil retention of pollutants and soil structure. Despite the known benefits related to organic matter, since the last decades of the last century, due to the excessive intensification of agricultural practice, many soils, especially in the Mediterranean regions, are characterized by a significant reduction of soil organic matter content. These areas typically present low (

Wood chips represent one of the most popular biomass fuel in latest cogenerating plants and in small heating systems. This fuel, being characterized by low bulk density, requires high transportation costs. This obstacle can be overcome by wood chips densification. The authors investigated the energy benefit of wood chips densification for transport operations for “short supply chain” as defined by the Italian government for the biomass fuel subsidy scheme. Three different woods (poplar, chestnut and a mixture of spruce and eastern white pine) chips and six different tractor’s trailed trailers were investigated. The total specific energy (kJ kg−1) required to transport a defined quantity of wood chips, the energy saving ratio (%) from chips’ compaction and the break-even distance (km) between raw and compressed chips were calculated. The results highlights that densification process of wood chips is an interesting opportunity to improve the transport energetic convenience. The benefit of wood chips densification is strongly affected by raw wood chips density values and by trailer characteristics: the benefit is maximum when the density of compressed wood chips to be transported attains the vehicle theoretical density.

In this study, two composting strategies (not turned and turned windrows) of pig slurry solid fraction (SF) were evaluated and compared in terms of their suitability to obtain a composted manure appropriate for further pelletizing (i.e., moisture content

The present study aimed at investigating perceptions and preferences about the use and the chemical characteristics of pellets made from composted animal manure in a sample of Italian farmers and agricultural advisors (Piedmont region, Northwestern Italy). The study encompassed two different steps: At first, the participants were administered a questionnaire about their actual use of pellets and preferences about their chemical characteristics. Then, a subgroup participated into a hands-on experience with different pelletized animal manures and some final questions. Concerning the use of pellets made from composted animal manure, even if the participants affirmed to be interested in using organic pellets and declared to own the appropriate equipment needed for their application, the results indicated that pelletized compost utilization had not yet become a common practice for agricultural crops. The obtained results highlighted a lack of knowledge, especially among farmers, about the importance of some chemical properties of this pelletized organic material. The participants, both farmers and advisors, were particularly attracted by the total nitrogen content of organic pelletized fertilizers, probably because the supplying of nutrients, nitrogen particularly, is the function of fertilizers they were interested in the most due to its direct connection with crop production. The hands-on session allowed the participants to better understand the benefits of the principal chemical properties&mdash, organic matter and carbon to nitrogen ratio&mdash, of pelletized animal manure compost. On the other hand, organic matter content and carbon to nitrogen ratio, more related with biological fertility and biodiversity of soils, are immediately less interesting and, as the hands-on experience pointed out, require more effort to be appreciated by agricultural operators. Targeted information campaigns and training activities may be developed among the agricultural community to make them aware of the importance of increasing soil organic matter content, and the possible use of pelletized composted animal manure. Further studies should be addressed toward gaining more insights into the beneficial effects of the information and training activities for pelletized compost adoption.

The aim of this investigation was to determine the physical and acoustical properties of compacts made from composted pig slurry solid fraction (SF) in order to assess the potential to recycle this agricultural waste as a sound absorber. The compacts were obtained by compression. The physical parameters investigated were bulk density, durability, and particle size distribution. The acoustical features of the compacts were studied with an impedance tube device in order to verify the acoustic absorption coefficient. Two composts were prepared: pig SF compost without a bulking agent (SSFC) and pig SF compost with wood chips as a bulking agent (WCC). The study’s results indicated that compost particles dimension played a key role in the physical and acoustical properties of the compacts: the smaller the particles, the higher the physical and acoustical properties of the compacts. The densification process increased the bulk density of the investigated composts up to 690 kg m−3 for SSFC and 660 kg m−3 for WWC, with, respectively, medium (77.9%) and low (66.5%) durability. The addition of woody bulking agent significantly reduced the absorption coefficient: the best results, in terms of potential use as a sound absorber, were observed for compacts made from composted pig slurry solid fraction without the addition of wood chips.

The study aimed at determining ammonia and GHG emissions from soil fertilized with pellets made from composted pig slurry solid fraction and to evaluate the effects of pellet diameter and pellet application method on gaseous emissions. A laboratory scale experiment was carried out investigating two composts: pig slurry solid fraction compost (SSFC) and pig slurry solid fraction mixed with wood chips compost (WCC). The two composts were pelettized in two different diameters&mdash, 6 and 8 mm&mdash, by means of mechanical pelletizer. In total, eight fertilized treatments plus one unfertilized control were included in the experiment. The investigated pellets were applied at the same nitrogen rate (equivalent to 200 kg ha&minus, 1) using two different methods (on soil surface and incorporated into the soil). Ammonia (NH3) emission was monitored immediately after pellet application, while nitrous oxide (N2O), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) were measured on a 57-day incubation period. As expected, ammonia volatilization was not detected from any of the treatments investigated. At the end of the experiment, the cumulative amounts of N2O, CO2 and CH4 ranged from 2.70 mg N-N2O m&minus, 2 to 24.30 mg N-N2O m&minus, 2, from 601.89 mg C-CO2 m&minus, 2 to 1170.34 mg C-CO2 m&minus, 2 and from 1.22 mg C-CH4 m&minus, 2 to 1.31 mg C-CH4 m&minus, 2, respectively. The overall results of the investigation highlighted that application on the soil surface reduced nitrous oxide emission, while the carbon dioxide emission increased significantly with smaller pellet diameter.

The phytotoxicity of four different composts obtained from pig slurry solid fraction composted by itself (SSFC) and mixed with sawdust (SC), woodchips (WCC) and wheat straw (WSC) was tested with bioassay methods. For each compost type, the effect of water extracts of compost on seed germination and primary root growth of cress (Lepidium Sativum L.) was investigated. Composts were also chemically analysed for total nitrogen, ammonium, electrical conductivity and heavy metal (Cu and Zn). The chemicals were correlated to phytotoxicity indices. The mean values of the germination index (GI) obtained were 160.7, 187.9, 200.9 and 264.4 for WSC, WCC, SC and SSFC, respectively. Growth index (GrI) ranged from the 229.4%, the highest value, for SSFC, followed by 201.9% for SC, and 193.1% for WCC, to the lowest value, 121.4%, for WSC. Electrical conductivity showed a significant and negative correlation with relative seed germination at the 50% and 75% concentrations. A strong positive correlation was found for water-extractable Cu with relative root growth and germination index at the 10% concentration. Water-extractable Zn showed a significant positive correlation with relative root growth and GI at the 10% concentration. These results highlighted that the four composts could be used for organic pellet production and subsequently distributed as a soil amendment with positive effects on seed germination and plant growth (GI > 80%).

Conversion of pig slurry to pellets is a desirable fertiliser option for farmers who want to mitigate environmental pollution from slurry accumulation. The goals of this investigation were to determine the fertiliser properties of pig slurry solid fraction (SF) pellets, and to assess its potential to enhance soil properties in order to reduce NH3 volatilisation and GHG emissions. Various parameters influence SF-based pellet fertiliser effectiveness: bulking agent use during composting, pellet diameter sizing, and soil application type (superficially or incorporated into the soil). Here, we prepared two composts from the same pig slurry solid fraction obtained from a screw press separator: pig SF compost without a bulking agent (SSFC) and pig SF compost with wood chips as the bulking agent (WCC). For each compost type, pellets of two different diameters (6 mm and 8 mm) were produced. A mesocosm experiment, conducted with maize plants, was used to test the fertiliser value of the considered pellets. In total, three compost fertilisers--SSFC, WCC, and NPK mineral fertiliser 15:15:15, plus one unfertilised control treatment were applied at the same N rate (equivalent to 200 kg ha-1) using two different methods (surface and soil incorporation). After 65 days, aboveground biomass, roots, and soil samples were collected and analysed. Subsequently, a second mesocosm study was undertaken to measure NH3 and GHG emissions released from pellet fertilisation. Ammonia volatilisation was determined immediately after pellet application, while CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions were monitored for 57 days. Study results indicated that both pellet types were effective slow-release fertilisers 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 fertiliser.

This study reports the effects of the addition of different woody bulking agents and pelletizing pressure on the final bulk density, durability and compression resistance of pellets manufactured from composted pig solid fraction. Two pressure levels (3.5 and 5.0 MPa) and three different types of compost (SFC - pig solid fraction, BC - pig solid fraction mixed with woody biochar, and WC - pig solid fraction mixed with wood chips) were investigated. The study shows that the different pressures adopted - in the range of 3.5 to 5.0 MPa - and the addition of woody bulking agents did not significantly affect the physical and mechanical properties of the pellets. However, according to the results of the study, the particle dimension of the woody bulking agents plays a key role in the mechanical properties of the pellets; the smaller the particles, the higher the pellet mechanical properties. The pelletizing process increased the bulk density of the investigated composts, and pellet durability was always high (> 80%). Nevertheless, when comparing the two bulking agents, the best results in terms of final quality were observed for pellets made from pig solid fraction mixed with woody biochar.

Introduction In Europe, because of the high production levels of livestock farming in general and pig farming in particular, animal waste management has become increasingly important to comply with the required lowering of livestock farming environmental pressure. Usually manures undergo solid/liquid separation, which generates one clarified liquid fraction and one nutrient-rich solid fraction suitable for in farm composting (both raw and in mixture with other bulking agents). This can be used to produce soil amendments, whose management can be further improved by pelletization that, against technological and environmental advantages, has the disadvantage of requiring a quite high energy input. Results Four different pelleted organic fertilizer formulations made of swine manure solid fraction (SMSF) composted both by itself and with sawdust (SMSF-SD), wood chips (SMSF-WC) and wheat straw were tested to highlight differences in physico-chemical and land distribution features. They were compared with two pelleted organic fertilizers ordinarily available at retailers. Results show that, as far as physical and chemical features are concerned, the greatest difference from the reference products used in this study is found in pellet size distribution after spreading since the disintegrating action of the rotating vanes does not affect the tested formulation with the same intensity as the commercial products. Distribution tests showed that SMSF-SD was the formulation with better longitudinal and transverse distribution, while SMSF was the one showing good transverse but poor longitudinal distribution. Conclusions In farm pelletizing of SMSF composted with different organic waste materials as co-formulates can turn into organic fertilizer formulations comparable with pelleted organic fertilizers ordinarily available at retailers. SMSF-WC was the formulation with the best resistance to fragmentation induced by spreader vanes. SMSF-SD was the formulation showing better longitudinal and transverse distribution, while SMSF showed good transverse but poor longitudinal distribution. These promising results enhance the importance of co-composting as a way to increase livestock farming sustainability and produce better manure compost for wider agricultural uses.

Compost derived from swine solid fraction is a low density material (bulk density less than 500 kg m-3). This makes it costly to transport from production sites to areas where it could be effectively utilized for value-added applications such as in soil fertilization. Densification is one possible way to enhance the storage and transportation of the compost. This study therefore investigates the effect of pressure (20-110 MPa) and pressure application time (5-120 s) on the compaction characteristics of compost derived from swine solid fraction. Two different types of material have been used: composted swine solid fraction derived from mechanical separation and compost obtained by mixing the first material with wood chips. Results obtained showed that both the pressure applied and the pressure application time significantly affect the density of the compacted samples; while the specific compression energy is significantly affected only by the pressure. Best predictor equations were developed to predict compact density and the specific compression energy required by the densification process. The specific compression energy values based on the results from this study (6-32 kJ kg-1) were significantly lower than the specific energy required to manufacture pellets from biomass feedstock (typically 19-90 kJ kg-1).

L'idea alla base dello studio di fattibilità nasce dall'esigenza di trovare una soluzione che permetta di delocalizzare la frazione solida dei reflui zootecnici da zone ambientalmente vulnerabili ad aree agricole in cui si sta assistendo a un progressivo impoverimento del contenuto di sostanza organica nel suolo. Intento secondario, ma non meno importante, è quello di ottimizzare la soluzione proposta rendendola economicamente redditizia anche per le aziende trasformatrici, conciliando in questo modo esigenze tecnico-scientifiche a mire di innovazione nel campo imprenditoriale. L'obiettivo principale dello studio è stato quello di verificare la possibilità di trasformare in un ammendante compostato pellettato la frazione solida dei liquami zootecnici provenienti da impianti di digestione anaerobica e di valutare se e quanto lo sfruttamento alternativo di tale materiale sia percorribile sul piano tecnico ed economico. Altri obiettivi dello studio toccano gli interessi individuali dei partner partecipanti. Per l'azienda che partecipa come Capofila (Agrindustria), l'interesse verso questo studio è quello di ottenere informazioni che le permettano di sondare il mercato degli ammendanti e allargare le proprie conoscenze ad ambiti diversi da quelli in cui è comunemente coinvolta. Grazie alle informazioni emerse, l'azienda ha tutti gli elementi necessari per valutare l'opportunità di ampliare la gamma di materiali processabili e aprirsi a nuove nicchie di mercato. Per l'O.R. (CNR), che ha collaborato al progetto in modo proattivo, l'obbiettivo perseguito è quello di consolidare e allargare le conoscenze inerenti il processo di compostaggio applicandolo anche su matrici derivanti da processi di digestione anaerobica per la produzione di biogas, verificando così la possibilità di apportarne miglioramenti. Altro obiettivo per l'ente di ricerca è quello di sfruttare il know-how dell'impresa capofila nel campo dei processi di lavorazione delle biomasse di scarto al fine di ottenere dei prototipi di pellet su cui realizzare ulteriori sperimentazioni approfondendo lo studio e realizzando pubblicazioni o proposte di progetto. Il lavoro svolto per il presente studio ha previsto una fase iniziale di ricerche bibliografiche e raccolta di dati, reperiti per lo più online (su banche dati specializzate), finalizzata alla realizzazione di un esame dello stato dell'arte relativo a produzione, gestione e impiego dei reflui zootecnici in Piemonte e alla realizzazione di una ricerca di mercato per il settore degli ammendanti compostati. Parallelamente è stata compiuta un'analisi sulla fattibilità tecnica del sistema di prodotti oggetto di studio: è stata preparata la materia prima necessaria (separato solido compostato da liquame suini digerito) ed è stata pellettata a due divere pressioni testando tre miscele: una tal quale e due addizionate di una quota di biochar e fibra di legno (6 prototipi di pellet in totale). Dall'analisi dello stato dell'arte e del mercato è stato possibile quantificare la disponibilità della materia prima per realizzare il prodotto e verificare l'effettiva domanda nel mercato di riferimento. I principali risultati emersi dalla fattibilità tecnica hanno permesso di individuare quali parametri risultano non conformi ai limiti per la commercializzazione e quali prototipi presentano le caratteristiche fisiche più idonee al trasporto e alla distribuzione. Infine da un'analisi dei costi di produzione è possibile concludere che non si presentano costi particolarmente più alti delle ordinarie lavorazioni effettuate da Agrindustria e non si rendono necessari ingenti investimenti in quanto le procedure e le strutture necessarie alla lavorazione sono adeguate al tipo di processi cui il materiale è sottoposto. Dall'utilizzo dei risultati della caratterizzazione chimica è possibile valutare se le proprietà ammendanti del separato solido da digestato zootecnico hanno subito miglioramenti con l'aggiunta di nuovi ingredienti e se sia possibile migliorarle ulteriormente variando le percentuali. I risultati derivanti dalla caratterizzazione fisica, potranno in futuro essere utilizzati per compiere dei confronti tra diversi prototipi e analisi di correlazione rispetto alle impostazioni della pellettatrice (diverse pressioni) e rispetto al materiale usato. Il CNR ha l'interesse ad utilizzare tali dati di analisi per future pubblicazioni scientifiche (non incluse nel presente finanziamento). Sempre nell'ottica di un'approfondita ricerca tecnico-scientifica, si prospetta altresì di impiegare il quantitativo di pellet eccedente derivante dalla lavorazione dei prototipi, per svolgere prove di distribuzione con due diverse macchine spandiconcime. Il protocollo operativo per questa attività è già stato abbozzato da parte di IMAMOTER e le due aziende produttrici di macchine spandiconcime hanno dato la loro disponibilità.

The need to mitigate climate change and the progressive fossil fuel exhaustion have engendered a great interest for renewable fuels. This boosted the demand for wood fuel in all industrialized Countries creating a considerable business opportu6548 Alessio Facello et al. nity for the different stakeholders of the forestry sector. To increase the efficiency of the entire wood fuel supply chain, it is necessary to reduce the cost of harvesting, processing and transportation. One possible way to cut the handling costs is the densification of the chips. This paper reports the results of a study conducted on the densification process of chips, with particular focus on the demand of energy required by the process and on the density achieved. The investigation has been carried out on chips from hybrid poplar (PC) chestnut (CC), and a mixture of spruce and eastern white pine (MC) at different pressures (20, 30, 50, 80 and 110 MPa). The study pointed out that average values for density ranges between 546-898, 559-1082 and 543-913 kg m for PC, CC and MC respectively. Specific energy demand ranges between 22.5-58.1, 18.8-43.3 and 19.4-50.2 kJ kg for PC, CC and MC respectively.

In this study, swine solid fraction was composted with the objective to obtain a composted manure with a moisture content between 20 and 40% - suitable to pelletize. Three identical SF windrows of approximately 4 m3 and 1800 kg were set up outside, on a concrete pad in an open-sided, roofed facility, and composted for a period of 72 days. An evaluation of the composting process and of the final product was made by monitoring process temperature, ammonia (NH3) and GHG (carbon dioxide, CO2; methane, CH4; nitrous oxide, N2O) emissions, moisture content, pH, volatile solids (VS), total organic carbon (TOC), total nitrogen (TN) and total ammoniacal nitrogen (TAN). In accordance with the results of the investigation it can be concluded that the composting of swine solid fraction in windrows could be a valuable process to concentrate the nutrients in manure and make it suitable to pelletize. However, appreciable amounts of CO2, CH4, N2O and NH3 emissions were detected. Total emission of the investigated gases recorded during the experimental period were 273 gCO2 kgVS-1, 3.50 gCH4 kgVS-1, 19.3 gN2O kgTN-1 and 87.4 gNH3 kgTN-1, respectively. These data can be used to carry out detailed life cycle assessments of GHG emissions from the Italian swine farming.

The excessive amount of pig slurry spread on soil has contributed to nitrate water pollution both in surface and in ground waters, especially in areas classified as vulnerable zones to nitrate in accordance with European Regulation (91/676/CEE). Several techniques have been developed to manage livestock slurries as cheaply and conveniently as possible and to reduce potential risks of environmental pollution. Among these techniques, solid-liquid separation of slurry is a common practice in Italy. The liquid fraction can be used for irrigation and the solid fraction, after aerobic stabilization, produces an organic compost rich in humic substances. However, compost derived from swine solid fraction is a low density material (bulk density less than 500 kg􀀀m–3). This makes it costly to transport composted swine solid fraction from production sites to areas where it could be effectively utilized for value-added applications such as in soil fertilization. Densification is one possible way to enhance the storage and transportation of the compost. This study therefore investigates the effect of pressure (20- 110 MPa) and pressure application time (5-120 s) on the compaction characteristics of compost derived from swine solid fraction. Two different types of material have been used: composted swine solid fraction derived from mechanical separation and compost obtained by mixing the first material with wood chips. Results obtained showed that both the pressure applied and the pressure application time significantly affect the density of the compacted samples; while the specific compression energy is significantly affected only by the pressure. Best predictor equations were developed to predict compact density and the specific compression energy required by the densification process. The specific compression energy values based on the results from this study (6-32 kJ􀀀kg–1) were significantly lower than the specific energy required to manufacture pellets from biomass feedstock (typically 19-90 kJ􀀀kg–1).

Il documento è la relazione intermedia prodotta dall'Unità Operativa IMAMOTER nell'ambito del progetto FITRAREF: FILIERA INTEGRATA DI TRASFORMAZIONE DEL REFLUO ZOOTECNICO IN FERTILIZZANTE ORGANICO PELLETTATO PER COLTURE SPECIALIZZATE Finanziato da MIPAAF con DM 29638/7818/10 del 21/01/2011 Il progetto intende sviluppare e studiare una filiera innovativa per la trasformazione della frazione palabile dei reflui zootecnici in fertilizzante organico pellettato in modo da offrire una valida alternativa alla fertilizzazione tradizionale nelle colture specializzate tipiche del nord d'Italia, valorizzare il contenuto in elementi nutritivi dei reflui zootecnici e concorrere alla riduzione del carico della quantità di azoto nei suoli vulnerabili da nitrati della Pianura Padana