Project Page Views: [ 656 ]
| Project Metadata Element | Details |
| Project Title | Environmentally Sustainable Conversion Options for Large Volume Organic Wastes |
| Research Area | Water |
| Project Acronym | |
| Principal Investigator or Lead Irish Partner | Martin Leahy |
| Lead Institution or Organisation | University of Limerick (UL) |
| Lead Country | Ireland |
| Latitude, Longitude (of Lead Institution) | 52.67389, -8.57190 |
| Lead Funding Entity | Environmental Protection Agency |
| Approximate Project Start Date | 01/11/2000 |
| Approximate Project Finishing Date | 01/06/2004 |
| Project Website (if any) | |
| Links to other Web-based resources | |
| Project Keywords | Nutrients; Pathogens; Agricultural waste; Landspreading |
| Project Abstract | Existing use of agricultural wastes and residues, for example excessive landspreading, has caused significant environmental damage. Enrichment of water bodies with nutrients (phosphates and nitrates), the risk of pathogens, CO2 and ammonia emissions are some of the problems associated with farmyard waste disposal methods in use today. Various solutions have been suggested and further progress can now only be made through the analysis of real information from trials and demonstrations.We have chosen to work with poultry manure as the priority waste. The Kantoher Poultry Producers Association (KPPA), located in County Limerick, has been very pro-active in finding an alternative disposal option and has already produced a report on the problem. A study of this particular case may simultaneously provide a solution for other complementary wastes. Approximately 60,000 tonnes of poultry waste is produced annually in Limerick. The aim is to develop, demonstrate and test an innovative practical cost-effective treatment system for poultry waste that will minimise and abate the impact of landspreading activities. We further wish to recover the energy from the waste, thus displacing the air pollution and emissions of greenhouse gases associated with non-renewable energy sources and using the energy to heat the poultry houses. The possibility that electricity may also be produced from the organic waste will also be investigated. The primary target is the trial and demonstration of the optimum conversion facility, within the confines of the available budget. Resources will also be provided for the study of impact and feasibility of proposed systems. |