Project: MLMMI 2010-21
Objective
- To test the technical and economic performance of commercially available manure processing/treatment technologies, both with and without the use of flocculant and at high and low solids levels, at managing manure phosphorus. The study will use the same standards and will be conducted under similar conditions so as to avoid confounding factors associated with site location, manure source, climate, market availability, etc. The manure treatment technology evaluation serves to answer two main questions for each tested technology:
- How much phosphorus is removed in the separated solids fraction?
- How much does it cost to set up and operate this technology, including all other necessary on-farm adjustments (e.g. costs associated with solids handling and storage)?
- To assess the practicality and viability of implementation of each manure processing technology under Manitoba climatic and economic conditions at a farm scale.
- To generate useful information on manure treatment technologies that will assist producers in manure management decision making for their operations when feed and in-field management tools are insufficient to maintain soil test P at sustainable levels as stipulated in the P-based manure management regulations.
Performer
Lorne Grieger
Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute (PAMI)
Details
Status: Completed
Started: 2011-02-01
Completed: 2014-05-28
Funding Partners: who have contributed to MLMMI in support of this project:
This project is funded by the Agri-Food Research and Development Initiative (ARDI) under the Canada-Manitoba Growing Forward Initiative - $227,000
Manitoba Pork Council - $227,000
Amount Funded: $454,000.00
Performer Funded: $0.00
Total Cost: $454,000.00
Activity
Progress report #1 due August 1, 2011.
Progress report #2 due February 1, 2012.
Progress report #3 due August 1, 2012.
Final report due February 1, 2013.
Summary
Note to Reader concerning Phosphorous Redistribution Projects
In order to comply with current provincial manure management regulations, livestock producers in phosphorus surplus areas of Manitoba have to implement ways to redistribute nutrients to phosphorus deficient areas. The Manitoba Livestock Manure Management Initiative (MLMMI) is undertaking a series of projects to find effective affordable solutions for producers. This report is one of these projects.
All options available to producers in phosphorus surplus areas are under consideration. These include but are not limited to manure separation, manure handling and storage, and liquid manure transportation. This report is only one of many options that are under consideration.
This project evaluated two commercially available systems at a commercial finishing barn in Manitoba; a decanter centrifuge manufactured by Alfa Laval Inc. and the Fournier Rotary Press system manufactured by Fournier Industries Inc. Both systems were evaluated using the manure from the same finishing barn, with and without the use of flocculants. The rotary press required flocculants to operate effectively.
The P removal was dependent on the concentration and characteristics of the manure being treated. During this trial, the P removal for manure with solids concentrations greater than 3% ranged from 32-73% for the centrifuge without the use of flocculants and 56-64% when using flocculants. The rotary press removed 28 – 62% of the P during the trial when using flocculants.
The implementation of a manure treatment system should only be considered after the P input has been optimized by feed and in-field management. The cost and operating implications should be evaluated for an individual operation before installing a manure treatment system. Consideration should be given to transportation as an alternative to manure treatment.