Large scale Combustion of Animal Manure in the United Kingdom Philip Metcalfe ADAS UK Ltd

Summary Recovery of value from combustion of poultry litter has many environmental benefits. Uses proven technologies Half the broiler litter in the UK is recovered The construction and operation of large scale power stations has proven to be financially viable over 13 years. The ash provides revenue and is registered as a product.

Number of table fowl in the UK and volumes of litter

Eye Thetford

Broiler Litter Fuelled Power Stations in the UK

Physical and Chemical Properties of Broiler Litter

Fibrophos

Regulatory drivers for farms Nitrates Directive 91/676/EC Directive on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control 96/61/EC Town and county Planning Regulations 1988 EIA Environmental Protection Act 1990

Regulation of the process Environmental Protection Act Prescribed Processes and Substances Regulation Part A processes. IPPC Directive 2000/76/EC on the Incineration of Waste (WID) co-incineration processes

Emissions

Financial Benefits Revenues from sale of electricity Renewable obligation certificates Carbon trading Lower cost recycling Revenues from the sale of fertiliser (ash) Income from litter supply to power stations Green credentials for users of the products. 40 employed on-site, 100 – 150 indirect jobs

Carbon and Nutrient Recycling

Environmental Benefits 1 Significant volumetric reduction Elimination of nitrogen for NVZ compliance Preservation of other nutrients Elimination of odour from recycling Reduction of ammonia emissions from land spreading NO2 losses reduced Reduction of methane emissions

Environmental Benefits 2 Replacement of fossil fuels Process remote from high population areas Avoided carbon emissions Replacement of chemical fertiliser

Farm Management Benefits Significant volumetric reduction Year round removal of waste form poultry units. Reduced storage requirements Easier planning permissions Compliance with IPPC directive Eliminate pollution risk

The Process

Combustion technologies Aalborg Boiler watertube 3 pass 65 bar Stepped grate 1993 Spread grate 1994 Fluidised bed 2001

Conversion technologies Reciprocating Engine 160kva 1990 Steam Turbine 13Mw 1993

Combustion

Combustion 2

Stepped grate precombustor

Precombustor

Thetford 38 Mwe

Westfield power station 10MWe

Fluidised bed

Summary Recovery of value from combustion of poultry litter has many environmental benefits. Uses proven technologies Half the broiler litter in the UK is recovered The construction and operation of large scale power stations has proven to be financially viable over 13 years. The ash provides revenue and is registered as a product.