Abstract
AbstractThe success of the Irish mushroom industry has led to its rapid expansion, particularly in the border counties. Mushrooms grow in a compost of poultry litter, straw and gypsum. After the mushrooms are gathered the spent mushroom compost (SMC) has traditionally been land spread as fertiliser. However, as more intensive practices are adopted, there is insufficient land available for the waste. The difficulties presented in disposing of SMC with environmental sensitivity are now a limiting factor on further growth of the industry.This paper investigates the potential of SMC combustion with energy recovery. The availability and composition of SMC has been considered with regard to its potential as an energy feedstock. Analyses showed that, on a dry ash free basis, SMC has a calorific value equivalent to sewage sludge. Compositional analysis confirmed the dry fuel as consistent in make‐up and showed the moisture content to remain within 60 to 77 percent, on an as received basis. SMC was found during combustion trials to be a suitable feedstock for combustion in a bubbling fluidised bed unit. Sensitivity studies determined a gate fee of £6.8/tonne for such a process which will compare favourably with landfill prices as they rise form the current £5/tonne.
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