The use of separated solid pig manure as a biofuel

Kennealy, Maeve (2014) The use of separated solid pig manure as a biofuel. Masters thesis, Waterford Institute of Technology.

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Abstract

Currently in Ireland, landspreading is the most common and cost effective method for utilising pig manure. However, The Nitrates Action plan introduced by S.I. No 378 (2006) and most recently updated by S.I. No 31 (2014) has reduced the amount of manure which can be landspread per unit area. It is estimated that by 2017, an additional 50% of spread lands will be required as phosphorous application restrictions take full effect. This will affect intensive animal production in particular in ‘pig dense’ areas which has prompted interest in the investigation of alternative and sustainable non-landspread uses for manure such as its use as an energy source. The objective of this research is to investigate the use of separated solids from pig manure (SPM) as a biofuel. The SPM and biomass addendums (sawdust, green waste, straw and woodchip) were combined by mixing and composting. The ratio of inorganic/organic fraction altered during the 56 days of composting, leading to an increase in ash and metal content and a decrease in calorific value over time. Analysis showed that a combination of SPM and sawdust (SD) (3:2) (fresh weight basis) with a maximum composting duration of 7 days produced a material with the most desirable characteristics from the samples studied. The pre-mixed SPM/SD (3:2) sample produced a good quality pellet which remained intact during storage of 18 months. Combustion emissions, in particular NOx and SO2, were found to be high. Preliminary analysis of the resulting ash showed it had the potential to be re-used as a fertiliser. However, further analysis needs to be conducted on different soil types to determine its suitability as a fertiliser. The results suggest that the ratio of SPM to SD be reduced, e.g. SPM:SD (2:3) or (1:3). This would still enable the use of the SPM as a biofuel, improve quality characteristics of the pellet and reduce emissions during combustion.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Biofuels
Departments or Groups:	*NONE OF THESE*
Divisions:	School of Science > Department of Chemical and Life Sciences
Depositing User:	Derek Langford
Date Deposited:	24 Oct 2014 13:47
Last Modified:	22 Aug 2016 10:27
URI:	http://repository-testing.wit.ie/id/eprint/2951

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