Peter and All, <br><br>We are testing our digestate now. Can you send us some of the laboratory analysis you mention below for comparison? Does anyone else want to share digestate analysis? It would be great to have a bank of data. We are trying to establish a market for this digestate (biol) in Mexico to make small digesters more viable. We want to understand the range in which the material may fall so that we can provide some level of quality control. We are also experimenting with different feedstocks, and combinations to see if we can further generate best practices for generating fertilizer appropriate for different crops and uses (eg, pig manure digestate is great for corn fields in fall, etc.). <br>
<br>Any data to use as a baseline would be appreciated. This would also allow us to see if our HRTs are correct and we are getting appropriate levels of digestion. <br><br>Saludos,<br><br>ALex<br><br><div class="gmail_quote">
On Thu, Nov 18, 2010 at 12:35 AM, P M Allison <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:pmallison@optusnet.com.au">pmallison@optusnet.com.au</a>></span> wrote:<br><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); padding-left: 1ex;">
<div bgcolor="#ffffff">
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">The use of digestate for crop fertilizers, is to me
the very best option. </font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">The material contains all the nutrients required by
plant-life as it is made up of the very same ingredients. </font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Laboratory analysis of the spent material confirms
this.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">A very similar substance is derived from
vermiculture.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">The main problem with spent digestate is the fiber
content. This will create nozzle lock-up on any spray delivery system. Fiber is
not digested by anaerobes or worms.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">If the digestate is splayed too thick it will
smother soil and emerging plants.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">The simple solution is to vibro filter the fiber
and undigested material from the slurry. The solid matter is ideal for
pelletizing and broadcast delivery.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">The resultant liquid component is a colloidal
nutrient complex containing the same ingredients as the original material but in
plant ready form.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">This liquid does contain particulate matter which
can clog nozzles. My solution to this is to centrifuge the liquid and trap out
the sedimentary material leaving a purely colloidal substance. This can be used
as a foliar fertilizer when diluted with water as the substance is too rich to
be used neat.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">The trapped debris is a rich nutrient mud,
primordial ooze so to speak. This is also rich in nutrient and the finest of
carbon flocs. An ideal binder for pelletizing the solid matter initially
extracted.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">By the way, the carbon flocs are the same as those
used carbon-fiber production.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Biogas is a wonderful bonus to the system, but
should not be the be-all and end-all of the process. The spent material is the
sort of substance which will make sustainable agriculture a much better option
than what chemical farming will ever do. The crop improves, the soil improves,
the soil biology improves, soil moisture holding capacity improves, soil carbon
increases. Remember, it's the dark matter which differentiates soil
from being just lifeless dirt.</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Regards,</font></div>
<div><font face="Arial" size="2">Peter.</font></div></div>
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<br></blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br>Alexander Eaton<br>Sistema Biobolsa<br>IRRI-Mexico<br><br>Mex cel: (55) 11522786<br>US cel: 970 275 4505<br><br><a href="mailto:alex@sistemabiobolsa.com" target="_blank">alex@sistemabiobolsa.com</a><br>
<a href="mailto:alexanderb.eaton@gmail.com" target="_blank">alexanderb.eaton@gmail.com</a><br><a href="http://sistemabiobolsa.com" target="_blank">sistemabiobolsa.com</a><br><a href="http://www.irrimexico.org" target="_blank">www.irrimexico.org</a><br>