[Digestion] Nitrogen in effluent

[Jones, Robin (TWP)]

We are in the  feasibility stage for a  3MWe power generation plant using a bio digester (Continuous Flow) located adjacent to cattle feedlots.. The available feeds are tallow, cattle and chicken manure. The mass balance indicates a very high nitrogen content in the effluent (±5000mg/ltr). The effluent's rate of discharge is also significant posing a very real environmental concern. Has anyone had previous experience with similar effluents and if so what was the strategy to mitigate environmental risk without adding significant CAPEX, OPEX and parasitic loads.

Considering the concentration of Nitrogen, we understand that this is not really a viable option for raw fertiliser (i.e. direct irrigation onto crops). It is understood that this would need to be concentrated up to reduce the volume prior to transporting to a fertiliser production facility approximately 80km away.

Any comments related to this would be much appreciated.

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