ARS | Publication request: Chapter V - Liquid-Solid Separation

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Other
Publication Acceptance Date: January 31, 2005
Publication Date: October 6, 2004
Citation: Nienaber, J.A., George, J., Koelsch, R. 2004. Chapter v - liquid-solid separation. Book Chapter. www.heartlandwq.iastate.edu/PriorityIssuesAdmin/Attachments/A0000291.pdf

Technical Abstract: Liquid-solid separation within feedlot runoff is most commonly achieved by flow velocity reduction to allow settlement of solids from the runoff. Settled solids can be collected from the liquid-solid separation component and land applied according to a nutrient management plan. Settling basins are the most common type of liquid-solids separation used to treat runoff from an animal feeding operation feedlot or pen surfaces. Alternative settling facilities include settling benches, silt fences, and gravel spreaders. Settling tanks and settling channels can also be used in certain situations. A settling basin, when preceding a vegetative treatment area (VTA), may also be designed to delay or spread out the release of liquids over a significant period of time to minimize the risk of a discharge from the VTA. This may require the settling facility to include storage with active or a passive control of the release of liquids over time. The initial teatment of any open feedlot runoff control system should be solids removal, as is currently required by many state laws. Properly designed and managed solids settling basins should remove about 30% of the nitrogen and phosphorus from the runoff from swine lots and 50% or more of each from cattle lot runoff.