03.06.2013 Views

to read the full report - Ecolateral by Peter Jones

to read the full report - Ecolateral by Peter Jones

to read the full report - Ecolateral by Peter Jones

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

Evaluation of Opportunities for Converting Indigenous UK Wastes <strong>to</strong> Wastes and Energy<br />

AEA/ED45551/Issue 1<br />

In terms of straw, <strong>the</strong> CSL Report identified that Wales and Scotland have straw deficits, while England is<br />

a net exporter of straw once regional lives<strong>to</strong>ck demand had been subtracted from <strong>the</strong> arisings. In addition<br />

<strong>the</strong> conversion of straw <strong>to</strong> energy products would remove <strong>the</strong> straw from <strong>the</strong> fields, removing a nutrient<br />

source (see Appendix 1 for <strong>the</strong> cost quantification of this nutrient source). The decision whe<strong>the</strong>r <strong>to</strong> sell<br />

straw is a balance between <strong>the</strong> price, soil type and suitability for reincorporation, timing for <strong>the</strong> next crop<br />

and <strong>the</strong> cost of replacement fertiliser.<br />

Poultry Litter<br />

The vast majority of poultry raised for meat, broilers, are farmed using intensive farming methods, with <strong>the</strong><br />

use of bedding. This enables easy collection of <strong>the</strong> residues produced, which are commonly high in solid<br />

content with little liquid present. The litter is also usually high in ammonia. 80 The fresh manure is<br />

approximately 75% water, but dries considerably over <strong>the</strong> time it spends in <strong>the</strong> enclosed house. 87<br />

Bedding materials are usually wood shavings, shredded paper or straw, which become mixed with<br />

droppings.<br />

Traditionally poultry litter was applied <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> land as a fertiliser, but as with cow and pig slurry, <strong>the</strong> rise in<br />

poultry production and <strong>the</strong> decreasing availability of land mean that <strong>the</strong> potentially deleterious<br />

environmental impacts are being recognised and <strong>the</strong> traditional litter disposal methods are being<br />

discouraged. Poultry litter is considered a waste under <strong>the</strong> Waste Incineration Directive (WID), and<br />

<strong>the</strong>refore any plant that utilises this resource must be compliant with <strong>the</strong> requirements of WID.<br />

It is estimated that each fowl has <strong>the</strong> equivalent output of 0.036 kg/day (litter plus excreta), with a dry<br />

matter content of 70%. 88 The calorific value of poultry litter is between 8.8 89 and 15 GJ/t and <strong>the</strong> moisture<br />

content varies between 20-50%, 90,91 i.e. a calorific content that is about half that of anthracite coal (32-35<br />

MJ.Kg).<br />

Using <strong>the</strong> litter output estimation of 0.036kg/bird/day and assuming a calorific value of 9 GJ/t estimations<br />

of <strong>the</strong> regional output of poultry litter and its potential energy content are made in Table 25.<br />

Table 25 Total Fowl Numbers raised on bedding, <strong>by</strong> region for <strong>the</strong> UK<br />

Fowls raised on Energy Content<br />

Region<br />

bedding<br />

(GJ)<br />

East Midlands 17,361,450 5,625,110<br />

East of England 22,853,361 7,404,489<br />

North East 2,133,092 691,122<br />

North West 5,809,647 1,882,326<br />

South East inc. London 5,857,657 1,897,881<br />

South West 12,363,066 4,005,633<br />

West Midlands 13,688,062 4,434,932<br />

Yorkshire and Humber 11,888,774 3,851,963<br />

England - Total 91,955,109 29,793,455<br />

Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Ireland 13,923,000 411,052<br />

Scotland 5,388,040 1,745,725<br />

Wales 4,303,711 1,394,402<br />

UK - Total 115,729,164 37,496,249<br />

87<br />

From http://ohioline.osu.edu/b804/804_3.html<br />

88<br />

Poultry Manure (litter and Excreta) in England and Wales in Relation <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> Regional Electricity Companies, ADAS, 1993,<br />

http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file14939.pdf<br />

89<br />

Estimated average calorific values of fuels – 2004, BERR, http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file19273.xls<br />

90 st<br />

ETSU R-122: New and Renewable Energy: Prospects for <strong>the</strong> UK for <strong>the</strong> 21 Century, Supporting Analysis.<br />

91<br />

Poultry litter as a fuel, World’s Poultry Science Journal, 49, 175-177, Dagnall, S., 1993.<br />

57

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!