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<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></BODY></HTML>