Resource recovery from pig manure via an integrated approach: A technical and economic assessment for full-scale applications. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Vrieze, Jo; Colica, Giovanni; Pintucci, Cristina; Sarli, Jimena; Pedizzi, Chiara; Willeghems, Gwen; Bral, Andreas; Varga, Sam; Prat, Delphine; Peng, Lai; Spiller, Marc; Buysse, Jeroen; Colsen, Joop; Benito, Oscar; Carballa, Marta; Vlaeminck, Siegfried E.
• Is Part Of: Bioresource technology. Volume 272(2019)
• Page Start: 582
• Page End: 593
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: Anaerobic digestion -- Manure -- Nutrient recovery -- Renewable energy recovery -- Resource recovery; Biomass -- Periodicals; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Bioremediation -- Periodicals; Agricultural wastes -- Periodicals; Factory and trade waste -- Periodicals; Organic wastes -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; Déchets agricoles -- Périodiques; Déchets industriels -- Périodiques; Déchets organiques -- Périodiques; Déchets (Combustible) -- Périodiques; 662.88
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2018.10.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0960-8524

Abstract

Highlights: Technologies were combined to recover nutrients and energy from pig manure. Anaerobic digestion lowered net energy consumption, but not OPEX costs. High-value refined products (N and P) could be recovered from pig manure. The OPEX costs per unit of manure were considerably higher than the CAPEX costs. Economic viability strongly depended on the required nutrient and effluent quality. Abstract: Intensive livestock farming cannot be uncoupled from the massive production of manure, requiring adequate management to avoid environmental damage. The high carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus content of pig manure enables targeted resource recovery. Here, fifteen integrated scenarios for recovery of water, nutrients and energy are compared in terms of technical feasibility and economic viability. The recovery of refined nutrients with a higher market value and quality, i.e., (NH4 )2 SO4 for N and struvite for P, coincided with higher net costs, compared to basic composting. The inclusion of anaerobic digestion promoted nutrient recovery efficiency, and enabled energy recovery through electricity production. Co-digestion of the manure with carbon-rich waste streams increased electricity production, but did not result in lower process costs. Overall, key drivers for the selection of the optimal manure treatment scenario will include the market demand for more refined (vs. separated or concentrated) products, and the need for renewable electricity production.