Closing the loop – o n-farm fluidised bed combustion of p oultry l itter

Closing the loop – on-farm fluidised bed combustion of poultry litter Deirdre Lynch Carbolea University of Limerick Ireland deirdre.lynch@ul.ie

Huge energy requirements Irish Average: 0.71 kWh per bird Recommended: 0.33 kWh Energy Use in Agriculture: SEAI report 2011 8,000 litres LPG per batch €20,160 per year on heating alone.

Cyclical supply of litter 1,285 million broiler chickens in EU / year 109 million tonnes of litter in EU / year Source: FAOSTAT

Energy Waste

Overview Emissions Ash Energy Fluidised bed combustor Poultry litter Poultry litter

Characterisation of Poultry Litter *ar = as received

Characterisation of Poultry Litter *db = dry basis

Selection of FBC • Suitable for poor quality fuels • Good combustion efficiency • Waste treated on-site • Simple technology

FBC Research Facility

Emissions Monitoring

aWaste incineration directive, Annex V • Reference Conditions: 273K, 101.3kPa, dry gas, 11% oxygen

Combustion  Ash Formation • Evaporation of moisture • De-volatilisation (decomposition) • Char burnout & fragmentation alkali metals SO₂/SO₃ chlorides condensation fine ash < 2 μm coarse ash > 2 μm

Poultry Litter Ash

Poultry Litter Ash GA – generated ash at 550°C, CYC – cyclone ash, BH – baghouse ash

Disadvantages of FBC • Ash – high K, Cl and S • Bed agglomeration 50 mm

Disadvantages of FBC • Ash – high K, Cl and S • Bed agglomeration

Disadvantages of FBC • Ash – high K, Cl and S • Bed agglomeration • Deposit formation

Disadvantages of FBC • Ash – high K, Cl and S • Bed agglomeration • Deposit formation • Solution • Regular maintenance • Soot blowing • Refreshing the bed

Conclusions • Fluidised bed combustion of poultry litter  90 % reduction in waste  Low gaseous emissions  Potential fertiliser substitute

Conclusions • Fluidised bed combustion of poultry litter  Sustainable, closed loop system

Thank you! deirdre.lynch@ul.ie www.carbolea.ul.ie University of Limerick Supervisors: Dr. J. J. Leahy Dr. WitoldKwapinski

Closing the loop – o n-farm fluidised bed combustion of p oultry l itter