Nutrient concentration as a viable technology for slurry management

In regions with high livestock density, there is an imbalance between the volume of nutrients generated and the farmland available for their application. While nutrients are essential for crop production, they cause serious soil, water and atmospheric pollution problems if not properly managed and applied to land. Slurry concentrator separates manure into two phases: a semi-liquid phase (concentrating the majority of the organic matter and nutrients) to be transported and applied to distant fields where nutrients are not available; and a liquid phase (with a low nutrient concentration) to be applied in a nearby field. Results showed that: • Dilution rates vary (73-88% for breeding farm slurry, 17% for fattening slurry), with breeding farm slurry having 18% volume concentration, 32% total nitrogen, and 77% total phosphorus. • Low energy usage, with the least favourable tests achieving 0.27 kWh m3 (costing €0.0351 m3). • Joint analysis confirms concentrator's technological and economic viability.