Project

Green fertilizer upcycling from manure: Technological, economic and environmental sustainability demonstration

Acronym
ManureEcoMine
Code
41W02313
Duration
01 November 2013 → 31 October 2016
Funding
European funding: framework programme
Research disciplines
  • Agricultural and food sciences
    • Agricultural animal production
    • Agricultural plant production
    • Agriculture, land and farm management
    • Other agriculture, forestry, fisheries and allied sciences
Keywords
ammonium sulphate green fertilizer
 
Project description

European pigs and cows jointly produce about 1.27 billion tennes of manure per year. a largely unexploited resource of organic carbon and nutrients, and therefore an exquisite 'mining' opportunity. ManureEcoMine proposes an integrated approach to the treatment and reuse of animal husbandry wast in nitrate vulnerable and sensitive areas and beyond. by applying the eco-innovative principles of sustainability. resource recovery and energy efficiency. Technologies of proven efficacy in the wastewater treatment field will be combined in several process configurations to demonstrate their technological and environmental potential at pilot scale for cow and pig manure. Anaerobic digestion (mesophilic/thermophilic), ammonia stripping, struvite precipitation and partial nitritation/anammox will be key technolohies. To render the cradle-to-cradle approach complete. The fertilizer and potential trace contaminants effects of recovered nutrients on plant growth and soil health and emissions will established, and safety will be managed. Life cycle analyses will determine the sustainability of the concept as such. and identify the most environmentally friendly technology and most effective and safe reuse strategy. Finally, the boundaries of economic viability will be determined.