The settled portion has a high moisture content and is handled as a thick slurry. The most common application is with feedlots where large amounts of runoff have to be handled. The system can be used with other types of liquid manure, however. Figure 1 shows a settling basin which is part of a swine manure handling system. Most systems are better equipped to remove large floating or suspended particles.
Less space is needed.
Because each of these has its own advantages and disadvantages, we often see equipment which incorporates the best of both systems. The perfor-mance of these units is governed by many factors and, as such, it is hard to generalize about the capabilities of mechanical separators. Following is an individual discussion of several systems available in Ontario. Liquid manure flows onto an inclined screen. The fluids run through the holes, leav-ing the solids trapped on the surface.