PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Over the past decades, the poultry sector’s move towards intensification and geographical concentration has given rise to various environmental concerns at national and EU level. Poultry manure contains considerable amounts of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and other excreted substances including hormones, antibiotics, pathogens and heavy metals, which are introduced through the animal feed. Leaching and runoff of these substances can contaminate air, surface water and groundwater resources. In addition, poultry manure disposal – not considering transport - has another major environmental impact in the EU-27 linked to the release of large amounts of greenhouse gases (25 million tonnes/year), ammonia (0.48 million tonnes/year), and heavy metals (100 kilotonnes), with disposal costs ranging from 10 to 20 €/tonne.
OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the LIFE CHIMERA project was to set up a pilot plant to demonstrate an innovative sustainable treatment for poultry manure that can be done on a farm’s premises (hence avoiding transport). The new technology converted the manure into valuable fertilisers, producing at the same time thermal and electrical energy and tackling problems related to disposal, transport and gas emissions. By closing the nitrogen cycle inside the farm, and by using the poultry manure to generate energy and fertiliser, the project helped in the implementation of the Circular Economy Package which promotes ‘waste to energy’ and ‘waste to fertiliser’ initiatives.
The project aimed to significantly reduce nitrous oxide (N2O), ammonia (NH3) and methane (CH4) emissions, in compliance with the provisions of Clean Air Policy Package, the Air Quality Directive and the National Emissions Ceiling Directive. It also helped in the implementation of the Industrial Emissions Directive, which integrates different approaches to manage pollution from industrial facilities, including intensive rearing facilities for poultry or pigs.
Another important target of the project was to enhance replicability, which was pursued through the establishment of an Extended Users Advisory Board (EUAB), encouraging stakeholders to foster rapid uptake of the developed technology.
RESULTS
The project designed, manufactured and tested an innovative sustainable treatment for poultry manure that can be operated at a farm’s premises (hence avoiding transport).
The new technology produces thermal and electrical energy from renewable sources and minimise problems related to disposal and transport of large quantity of poultry manure typically produced by intensive chicken farms.
By-products from the innovative treatment have high chances to be classified as “fertiliser”, according to the EU regulatory framework, which represent an extra income generating activity for the poultry breeder.
Significant reduction of GHG emission, in terms of CO2, NH4 and N2O, were achieved by the innovative plant when compared to conventional poultry breeding system, by which poultry manure is stored, transported far away and then incinerated.
Achieved results through the project pilot experience (values are compared with a baseline represented by a conventional standard poultry farm):
- Treatment of 1,500 t/y of poultry manure produced by REND’s poultry livestock
- Elimination of 14.5 tons of NH3 in 1 year
- Elimination of 4,4 tCO2eq of CH4 in 1 year
- Elimination of 1.9 tCO2eq of N2O in 1 year
- Production of 1.2 GWh thermal and electrical power in 1 year
- Capacity to produce 204 tons of by-products in 1 year, with character of “fertiliser”
