• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.199-215
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• 1992

Sources of organic waste materials for aerobic and/or anaerobic degradation, or for composting of solid wastes in Germany were estimated. The basic microbiology and the energetics of these processes were compared with special emphasis on anaerobic degradation, for which a general degradation scheme of carbohydrates is presented. Advantages of anaerobic over aerobic treatment processes are pointed out and conditions for maintaining a highly stable anaerobic process as well as producing a sanitized, hygienic product are discussed. Reactor systems suitable for efficient treatment of wastes with a high or low proportion of suspended solids are principally compared and results of laboratory studies on the degradation of several wastes and animal manures summarized. Finally, a piggery slurry treatment factory for an ultimate slurry processing to obtain a dry fertilizer and a harmless, disposable liquid, as it is in operation in Helmond/Holland, is presented and preliminary process data are presented.