FIG. 1.

Schematic representation of a laboratory scale compost system. A flow restrictor system was used to control aeration rates (100 ± 2 ml/min) during composting and pack storage simulations. Inlet air was bubbled through deionized water (DI) at the incubator temperature to minimize drying. Each 4-liter vessel was filled with dairy manure amended with sawdust or straw and spiked with 10⁶ CFU/g M. paratuberculosis. Exit air passed through 0.67 M boric acid at 9°C to trap ammonia and remove water vapor and then through automated O₂ and CO₂ analyzers.