Livestock Residues Research Articles

Management of Agropastoral Waste in Ivory Coast: Case of the Sassandra Agricultural Basin

Agropastoral waste constitutes real bio-resources whose valorization could contribute to improving the living conditions of populations, reducing pressure on forest resources, slowing down deforestation and reducing GHG emissions. This study made it possible to examine the management of agropastoral waste in the Sassandra agricultural basin. The survey and field observation carried out made it possible to note that in the agricultural basin of Sassandra we find coffee hulls, bunches, fibers, hulls from oil palm, cassava stems, ears, stems, corn cobs and straw, rice husks and stalks as well as livestock residues such as slurry, manurebones, feathers and animal droppings. Regarding the management method, it appears that straws, husks, ears, stalks and stems are mainly used for livestock feed. Regarding the pods, these are either used for composting. As for the stems, hulls, fibers and bunches, they are also abandoned in the fields. Thus 85% of planters use agricultural residues to feed livestockwhile 12% of planters compost it. A proportion of 3% use them for other purposes. As for waste from livestock farming, waste from cattle, sheep and poultry farming is either sold or used for spreading. As for pig waste, it is sold. A share of 80% of breeders sell their waste. In addition, a proportion of 15% spread it in the fields. Another 5% of breeders use them for other purposes.

Biomass Resources and Emission Reduction Potential of Agricultural and Livestock Residues in Mainland China from 2013 to 2022

Controlling carbon emissions is a global goal, and China is actively implementing carbon reduction measures. As a major agricultural nation, China has considerable potential for developing agricultural residues as renewable and environmentally friendly biomass energy. In this study, we obtained data on crop yields, crop-to-grain ratios, and livestock excretion coefficients to calculate the biomass resources of agricultural and livestock residues in Chinese provinces from 2013 to 2022. Crop residue biomass resources showed a distribution pattern with higher levels in the north than in the south and the east than in the west. Henan and Heilongjiang provinces consistently had the highest resource levels, exceeding 35 million tons annually for 10 years. The biomass resources from livestock residues were relatively abundant in Sichuan, Henan, Yunnan, Shandong, Hunan, and Inner Mongolia. Inner Mongolia, Sichuan, Shandong, and Henan had the greatest potential for CO2 emission reductions, primarily located in regions abundant in biomass resources and with high traditional energy consumption levels. ArcGIS was used to apply natural break classification to categorize the potential for emission reductions from agricultural and livestock residues across China from 2013 to 2022 into five classes. Based on factors such as crop planting area and livestock numbers, the spatiotemporal distribution of factors influencing the quantity of biomass resources was examined using Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression. A tailored and integrated approach should be used for biomass, and the development of biomass energy should be promoted through policy support and technological innovation.

Methane Production from a Rendering Waste Covered Anaerobic Digester: Greenhouse Gas Reduction and Energy Production

Livestock wastes can serve as the feedstock for biogas production (mainly methane) that could be used as an alternative energy source. The green energy derived from animal wastes is considered to be carbon neutral and offsetting the emissions generated from fossil fuels. In this study, an evaluation of methane production from anaerobic digesters utilizing different livestock residues (e.g., poultry rendering wastewater and dairy manure) was carried out. An anaerobic continuous flow system (15 million gallons, polyethylene-covered) subjected to natural conditions (i.e., high flow rate, seasonal temperatures, etc.) containing poultry rendering wastewater was set up to evaluate methane potential and energy production. A parallel pilot-scale plug-flow anaerobic digestion system (9 m3) was also set up to test different feedstocks and operating parameters. Biogas production was sampled and monitored by gas chromatography over several months of operation. The results showed that methane production increased as the temperature increased as well as depending on the type of feedstock utilized. The covered rendering wastewater lagoon achieved an upward of 80% (v/v) methane production. The rates of methane production were 0.0478 g per g of COD for the poultry rendering wastewater and 0.0141 g per g of COD for dairy manure as feedstock. Hence, a poultry processing plant with a rendering wastewater flow rate of about 4.5 million liters per day has the potential to capture about two million kilograms of methane for energy production per year from a waste retention pond, potentially reducing global warming potential by about 50,000 tons of CO2 equivalent annually.

Location and specialization indicators of animal bioenergetic potential in Paraiba (Brazil)

Several international forums have been discussing energy insecurity in the world caused by dependence on oil and natural gas, as well as their consequent economic instabilities and environmental crises. In order to increase the energy matrix in both the developing and developed regions of the world and meet global goals, there is a motivation in the growing use of bioenergy, as an alternative to fossil fuels, which can increase energy security and provide a possible reduction in emissions of CO2. Biogas, a renewable energy resource, is produced by the decomposition of organic materials such as manure, agricultural waste, sewage sludge and food waste under anaerobic conditions. This study analyzed the pattern of location and specialization of the energy potential of livestock waste in the municipalities, in the immediate and intermediate regions of the Paraiba state (Brazil) from 2000 to 2020. The energy potential was estimated from the livestock residues acquired from the herds and the development of conversion coefficients based on data from the specialized literature. The indicators of specialization and location calculated were the Locational Quotient (LQ), and the indexes of Krugman (SI), Hoover (H) and Ellison-Glaeser (EG). The results showed that the Paraiba state can produce on average about 31.3 PJ of animal bioenergy each year. The immediate region of Campina Grande has the highest average annual energy, with around 7.38 PJ. In the region of Sumé and Monteiro was concentration of theoretical potential energy (TEP) of goat and sheep. Through the SI, a similar dissimilarity was observed between surrounding municipalities forming nuclei. Such a configuration may indicate a bioenergetic potential for possible investments to be studied.

High-rate upflow anaerobic sludge blanket bioreactor for the treatment of olive mill effluents: Laboratory and pilot scale systems investigation

Olive mill effluents are amongst the most prominent waste streams produced in Mediterranean countries, with their uncontrolled disposal in soil, without any prior treatment, having significant environmental and social effects. Anaerobic digestion has been extensively studied for the treatment of various waste streams, from industrial waste to agricultural and livestock residues. Some of the major advantages of anaerobic digestion relate to energy and soil fertilizer production. The scope of this work was the experimental optimization of the organic loading rate of anaerobic UASB digesters processing olive mill wastewater effluents. The optimization procedure was performed in a laboratory and a pilot scale set-up. The results showed that the maximum organic loading rate that could be applied to such a system was 5–6 gCOD/LR/d, without the need for any pretreatment. Moreover, it was exhibited that the large period of inoculum acclimatization to the olive mill effluents improved the phenols degradation inside the reactor, which reached 59%.

Potential of biomethane-based energy production from livestock waste biomass resources in Ethiopia

Understanding the potential of biomass sources and their types, quality, and regional distribution is crucial for modern energy production. This study evaluates the biomethane energy potential of livestock waste from six different categories of livestock across all Ethiopian regions using livestock statistics (2020–21), standard procedures, publicly accessible data, and literature. To evaluate the bioenergy potentials, the amount of dry matter per head, collection efficiency, biogas yields of respective livestock waste, and the calorific value of biogas and biomethane were used. The total biomethane and corresponding bioenergy potential of livestock residues in Ethiopia are estimated to be 3,321 hm3 y-1 and 118,906 TJ y-1, respectively. The biomethane combustion in a combined heat and power system is expected to produce roughly 11.4 TWh y-1 of electricity and 13.9 TWh y-1 of thermal energy. The estimated electrical energy could supply 11%, 31%, and 81% of Ethiopia’s total primary energy consumption, production, and total electricity generated in Ethiopia in 2019, respectively. The finding demonstrates that biomethane-based energy production via anaerobic digestion based on livestock waste has the potential to meet a significant portion of Ethiopia’s current energy needs.

An overview of the integrated biogas production through agro‐industrial and livestock residues in the Brazilian São Paulo state

AbstractRecently, new solutions have arisen to promote bioenergy expansion, some of which meet the requirements of reliability, sustainability, and governance. In Brazil, the Sao Paulo state (SPS) is characterized by strong agro‐industrial and livestock activities, which generates increasing residues in the last years with the potential to produce bioenergy and offer environmental and economic benefits. The Brazilian National Biofuel Policy (Renovabio) has been enhanced to seek sustainable development, encouraging new agribusiness research. Studies have shown that the sugarcane sector, a conventional ethanol and bioelectricity producer, has the greatest potential to produce biogas/biomethane, which can be maximized with the introduction of co‐substrates regionally generated from corn, soy, orange, coffee, poultry, and swine. This overview, based on the main SPS agro‐industrial and livestock residues, shows innovative alternatives for integrating anaerobic co‐digestion (co‐AD) processes through a regional strategy, by providing long‐term revenues and greenhouse gas mitigation, which would also spread the discussion for National and International prospects. This study discusses logistical, political, and financial aspects, revealing a promising business model supported by public policies. However, its feasibility requires a real economic assessment with the inclusion of decarbonization credits, and political subsidies for biomethane as a biofuel under the Renovabio, which will facilitate its insertion into the agro‐industry in the coming years.This article is categorized under: Policy and Economics > Energy Transitions Sustainable Energy > Bioenergy Climate and Environment > Circular Economy Policy and Economics > Regional and International Strategies

Biomass power plants

Biomass power plants

Opportunities and Potential for Energy Utilization from Agricultural and Livestock Residues in the Region of Thessaly

In recent years, due to the circular economy, the use of green energy forms, such as biofuels and biogas from anaerobic digestion of fermentable materials (e.g., agricultural and livestock residues) has entered our lives. According to the International Energy Agency it is estimated that the needs in 2040 will be 48% higher than in 2012 so all political decisions have converged on an urgent need for the use of more and more renewable and green energy. Considering the overall economic activity of these sectors in the region of Thessaly, the aim of this study is to highlight the residues from agricultural and livestock activities in the primary sector and calculate the annual biomass production, the methane and biogas potential, the electrical and thermal energy that can be produced from these wastes, as well as the solid residue that can be used to improve the soil of the region. The study was based on data referring to the years 2015 to 2020. The production of livestock and agricultural residues, averaged over the above six-year period in the study area, was estimated at approximately 4.8 × 106 t·yr.−1, with livestock residues accounting for 83% and agricultural residues for 17%. Furthermore, the total residues can produce an average biogas potential of approximately 4.7 × 106 m3·yr.−1, while the amount of electricity that can be produced ranges from 708–1091 GWh·yr.−1, and the corresponding thermal energy from 1112–1577 GWh·yr.−1. As a result of the complete anaerobic digestion process, a solid residue could also be obtained for the improvement of the region’s soil, which translates into a quantity in the range of 4.01 × 104 to 5.10 × 104 t·yr.−1.

Mitigation of GHG Emissions from Soils Fertilized with Livestock Chain Residues

Using livestock residues as alternative fertilizers is a sustainable practice which recycles nutrients that would otherwise be lost. However, organic fertilizers may have a large impact on N2O emissions, offsetting the beneficial effects of C sequestration. After four years from biochar application, greenhouse gas fluxes were monitored for two years from a Maize field fertilized with digestate, slurry, or urea, with and without biochar. The objectives of the present study were to assess (i) the climate feedback of using residues from the livestock chain as alternative fertilizers and (ii) the contribution of biochar in mitigating GHGs emissions, while increasing the organic C in soil. Digestate was shown to have the highest impact on CO2 and N2O emissions from soil, with respect to mineral fertilization (+29 and +142%), more than slurry (+21 and −5%), whereas both residues positively affected CH4 uptake (+5 and +14%, respectively). The maximum N2O peaks occurred between 7–20 days after fertilization, accounting for 61% of total emissions, on average. Biochar was effective in reducing N2O emissions derived from mineral fertilization and digestate (−54% and −17%, respectively). An excess of labile organic matter and N induced the highest CO2 emissions and N2O peaks, independent of—or even triggered by—biochar. Mitigation of GHG emissions, from soils fertilized with livestock chain residue, can be obtained using biochar, but with limitations dependent on (i) the quantity of organic matter added, (ii) its quality, and (iii) the time from application: those aspects that deserve further investigations.

Delimiting Pig Slurry Affected Subsurface Areas by Combining Geophysical and Geochemical Techniques

In Spain, livestock farming is a significant activity area that generates substantial revenues and essential jobs. However, the actual impact that this intensive activity might have on the environment is not entirely understood. Moreover, coastal aquifers are subjected to a significant environmental pressure due to nearby growing population, intensive agriculture, and livestock farming. In this work, three representative pig slurry ponds, under semiarid conditions, were studied using different techniques to evaluate the subsurface conditions in terms of pH, electrical conductivity, salts, and nitrate content. The electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) technique was employed in this study, which provides electrical resistivity values from the subsurface materials and fluids. These electrical resistivity values were compared to data obtained from geochemical analyses to derive their relationships and establish the pig slurry-affected subsurface area. Thus, ERT-based lower electrical resistivity values were associated with higher salts concentrations and nitrate content. ERT values indicated a near-surface affected by slurry infiltration that coincided with the increase of geochemical values obtained from sample analyses. Additionally, Spearman’s correlation was used to evaluate the correlation between electrical resistivity data and the physical-chemical properties of soil. The most important pollutant accumulation mainly occurs in the two-meter depth. Therefore, the risk of slurry ponds affecting deep aquifers is limited in the studied area. Finally, this study proves a complete, affordable, and scalable methodology application to livestock residue storage facilities.

Sustainable Energy: Challenges of Implementing New Technologies

Sudan is an agricultural country with fertile land, plenty of water resources, livestock, forestry resources, and agricultural residues. Energy is one of the key factors for the development of national economies in Sudan. An overview of the energy situation in Sudan is introduced with reference to the end uses and regional distribution. Energy sources are divided into two main types; conventional energy (biomass, petroleum products, and electricity); and non-conventional energy (solar, wind, hydro, etc.). Sudan possesses a relatively high abundance of sunshine, solar radiation, and moderate wind speeds, hydro, and biomass energy resources. Application of new and renewable sources of energy available in Sudan is now a major issue in the future energy strategic planning for the alternative to the fossil conventional energy to provide part of the local energy demand. Sudan is an important case study in the context of renewable energy. It has a long history of meeting its energy needs through renewables. Sudan’s renewables portfolio is broad and diverse, due in part to the country’s wide range of climates and landscapes. Like many of the African leaders in renewable energy utilisation, Sudan has a well-defined commitment to continue research, development, and implementation of new technologies. Sustainable low-carbon energy scenarios for the new century emphasise the untapped potential of renewable resources. Rural areas of Sudan can benefit from this transition. The increased availability of reliable and efficient energy services stimulates new development alternatives. It is concluded that renewable environmentally friendly energy must be encouraged, promoted, implemented, and demonstrated by full-scale plant especially for use in remote rural areas.

Earthworms increase the potential for enzymatic bio-activation of biochars made from co-pyrolyzing animal manures and plastic wastes

We assessed the enzymatic activation of four different biochars produced from pyrolyzing swine manure and poultry litter, and by co-pyrolyzing these livestock residues with agricultural spent mulch plastic film wastes (plastichars). Enzymatic activation consisted of incubating biochars in soil inoculated with earthworms (Lumbricus terrestris), which acted as biological vectors to facilitate retention of extracellular enzymes onto biochar surface. The activity of carboxylesterase ‒a pesticide-detoxifying enzyme‒ was measured in non-bioturbed soils (reference), linings of the burrows created by earthworms, casts (feces) and biochar particles recovered from the soil. Our results revealed that: 1) biochar increased soil carboxylesterase activity respect to biochar-free (control) soils, which was more prominent in the presence of earthworms. 2) The maximum enzyme activity was found in soils amended with plastichars. 3) The plastichars showed higher enzyme binding capacities than that of the biochars produced from animal manure alone, corroborating the pattern of enzyme distribution found in soil. 4) The presence of earthworms in soil significantly increased the potential of the plastichars for enzymatic activation. These findings suggest that the plastichars are suitable for increasing and stabilizing soil enzyme activities with no toxicity on earthworms.

Development of a horizontal reactor with radial agitation to synthesize bio-methane from biomass waste and domestic sewage sludge

Aiming to produce clean energy from biomass, we devised an anaerobic horizontal reactor for the production of biomethane from an innovative combination of agricultural and livestock residues with domestic sewage sludge. Differently from conventional reactors, the horizontal reactor was designed with a radial agitator with finned rectangular blades and a gas chamber to ease CH4 capture. Moisture content in biomass was nearly 90% in acclimation and co-digestion processes. In addition, the pH varied as the substrate was added from 8.5 to 7.55 (fruit and vegetable residue pH was 4.80) and during the digestion process the pH dropped to 5.70 by a Hydraulic Retention Time of 30 days. The reaction system had alkalinized without the use of chemicals, at a pH of 7.60 by the end of the experiment. The acclimated inoculum was processed for a period of 120 days, and produced 254.35 NL of biogas in the anaerobic horizontal reactor. Moreover, the reactor produced 965.55 NL of biogas with the mixture of Acclimated Inoculum, Solid Organic Residue and Domestic Sewage Sludge. The maximum methane concentration of 86% was observed after 73 days, whilst the final methane content was 82% (after 120 days). The reaction process resulted in a biogas production of 0.47 Nm3/kgVS and 0.39 Nm3CH4/kgVS (normalized cubic meters of methane per kilogram of volatile solids). In addition, the net biogas production of the horizontal reactor was 711.20 NL with a rate of 27.59 (NL/day). Finally, a reduction in H2S concentration was observed after the methane concentration had reached about 65%.

Decision support for biogas production from the utilisation of agricultural and livestock wastes

The rapid growth of the global and national agriculture and livestock sector, has led to the development of large quantities of agricultural and animal wastes, resulting in massive problems associated with treatment and disposal into the atmosphere. Biogas installation technology from waste biomass is an effective solution with several significant advantages, providing environmentally sustainable energy while promoting the use of biogas energy and leading to a systematic and integrated treatment of agricultural and livestock wastes, reducing the pollution discharge to the environment by more than 55%. In this work, an analysis of production of biogas through the process of anaerobic digestion is shown, which is commonly used for the processing of agricultural and livestock residues and energy crops for use (energy production and compost). Some critical parameters of this process are summarised, as a tool for comparative evaluation of this route with some other alternatives, which contribute to the decision making in the selection of power systems.

Potential of local organic matters in Jatinangor West Java Indonesia as raw materials for organic fertilizer

Jatinangor has a small area for the agricultural sector compared to other land uses. But for some villages in this district still, rely on agriculture and livestock sector. The main problems of this area include high land-use conversion that causes a decreasing level of soil fertility and decreasing of water availability. Furthermore, to fix this problem, organic matter application on soil or agricultural system is necessary. This study was aimed at mapping the availability and identify the properties of local organic matter in Jatinangor for supporting the sustainable farming system carried out by the farmers in Jatinangor. This research used qualitative, descriptive, comparative, and survey methods to explore the organic matter characteristics which must meet the standard of organic materials as fertilizer. Some sample of waste were taken based on purposive sampling method prior to nutrient, heavy metal, as well as acidity and organic carbon, has been analyzed. The results indicated that in Jatinangor District, there is no integrated household waste management and agricultural residues treatment. Furthermore, the potency of livestock residues still dominates as raw material for organic fertilizer. A total of 3683.65 kg/day animal waste might be used as organic matter for agriculture. There is an amount of macro and micronutrient, but their composition depended on livestock. Also, all animal waste contained heavy metal lower than the threshold. In general, animal waste from Jatinangor, West Java, Indonesia except duck waste might be used as organic fertilizer after composting to reduce the pH and organic C content.

UJI EFEKTIFITAS FESES TERNAK (SAPI, KERBAU DAN KUDA). TERHADAP PRODUKSI BIOGAS YANG DIHASILKAN

Sumbawa, with its high population, can be one of the alternatives in fulfilling the energy needs in the community by utilizing livestock residue (feces) as biogas. The purpose of this research is to know the type of effective treatment in producing biogas. The method used in the study was compiled using complete random draft (RAL) with four treatments and three repeats. Treatment using vegetable litter (SS), cow feces (FS), feces Buffalo (FK), and horse Feses. Fermentor contains impurities and water with a comparison of 1:1 fermented for 13 days. Through this study conducted effectiveness test using 4 treatment namely vegetable garbage (Control/SS), cow stool, buffalo feces, and horse feces. The results of this study showed that buffalo feces have a higher volume of gas, which is 75 cm3 whereas from the time the fermentation of control as a vegetable/garbage shows faster results, however, it does not produce flame as an indicator Expected from this research. In succession the resulting volume of gas is the garbage vegetable 35 cm3 feces of cow 45 cm3 feces buffalo 75 cm3 and horse Feses 53 cm3 analysis results conducted using ANOVA One Way with a further test Least Significance Different (LSD) showed no Significant differences from each treatment. In addition, there is also a flame test which results in a result that the cow's feces have the longest flame of 13 seconds compared to other treatments. Therefore, the results of this study showed that the use of cow feces in biogas production is more effective seen from the flame test.

Agronomic Efficiency and Productivity of Sorghum in Response to Fertilizers With Different Phosphorus Solubilities in Greenhouse Conditions

The experiment was conducted under controlled conditions in the municipality of Sobral, Ceará, Brazil, to evaluate the agronomic efficiency of phosphate fertilizers with different solubilities on the cultivation of sorghum in a Luvisol. The experimental design comprised randomized blocks in a 2 × 6 factorial scheme (two genotypes and five phosphorus treatments plus the control, without phosphorus). The treatments were: monoammonium phosphate, triple superphosphate, sheep manure, organic compost based on livestock residues, and organomineral fertilizer. Three blocks were used, and each plot comprised composed of a pot containing two plants. Sixty-five days after germination, the plants were harvested for evaluation of biometric data, biomass, accumulation of nutrients in the aerial part, soil fertility, agronomic efficiency index of the phosphate fertilizers and triple superphosphate equivalent. The organomineral and triple superphosphate fertilizers had the highest agronomic efficiency for production of sorghum biomass. The more soluble sources (organomineral, triple superphosphate and monoammonium phosphate) enabled a better phosphorus recovery rate and physiological efficiency than the sources with low solubility.

Book Review: Soil Pollution: A Hidden Danger Beneath our Feet

Book Review: Soil Pollution: A Hidden Danger Beneath our Feet

RETRACTED: Bioenergy potential from agriculture residues for energy generation in Egypt

Recently, biomass represents about 14% of primary energy consumption and expected to provide 50% of world total primary energy consumption by 2050. This paper clarifies an appraisal of the possibilities available in Egypt to become one of the countries of the production of bioenergy, especially from the crop remnants of agriculture production. Egypt annually produces a large amount of biomass of up to 40 million tons. Unfortunately, instead of the possibility of exploiting these wastes to contribute to the energy sector and economic growth, about 52% of these wastes are disposed of by direct burning, which may cause many environmental problems. The only widespread form of biomass use in Egypt is biogas used in rural areas. In addition, the potential theoretical energy from the most important crop residues available in Egypt is evaluated according to previous studies. It is found that energy of 189.76 PJ/year can be produced from dry crop residues of 12.5 million tons/year. For livestock residues, specifically cattle manure, it is estimated in this study that the potential biogas in Egypt of 7.2 million head of cattle is 53.2 million m3 / day with a total potential energy of 699 TJ per year. However, the potential of bioenergy depends largely on the availability, geographical distribution and accessibility of the actual waste. The most likely areas for these potentials are Middle Delta and Upper Egypt. This could potentially develop a long-term strategy for the smart use of vital waste available for bioenergy production to be economically profitable and sustainable.