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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