Energy recovery from feedlot waste - feasibility study of options

Summary

The disposal of solid and liquid wastes generated during the feeding process is one of the key environmental concerns facing feedlot operators. This project undertook an initial desk-top assessment of the feasibility of the various technologies available to feedlot operators to recover the energy in their liquid and solid wastes. Based on the outcomes of this study it does not appear that energy recovery from liquid wastes is economically attractive.
However, energy recovery from harvested manure does look economically attractive. Adoption of combustion or gasification technologies could significantly reduce manure disposal costs, generate significant amounts of green energy and electricity and in the case of gasification, sequester significant amounts of carbon in the char. It is recommended that the technical and economic benefits of combustion and gasification of manure be validated via pilot plant trials.