poultry waste – power, products and profitability · development . biochar research, production...
TRANSCRIPT
PIX 2018
Poultry Waste –Power, Products and
Profitability Euan Beamont
Introduction
What We Do
Energy Farmers Australia Pty Ltd
Bioenergy Projects Technology Development
Biochar Research, Production and
Sales
What is Biochar?
• Provide habitat for soil microbes
• Increases microbial activity• Increases water holding
capacity • Holds nutrients• Increases soil carbon • On farm carbon capture
and storage
Feedstocks
PH C N P K Ca
Poultry Litter 8.5 38.8 3.7 2.53 2.80 4.5
Poultry Manure 8.3 29.1 3.2 2.72 2.58 14.0
Lupin Straw 8.2 52.9 2.9 0.76 3.83 3.96
Wheat Straw 9.5 30.3 0.6 0.45 0.85 0.99Testing carried out by UWA - School of Earth and Environment
Biochar Analysis
Source: International Biochar Initiative
A Market on the Move
Channel Volume Price Price Signals Online sales Low High $5-7/kgSoil and home garden suppliers
Low to Medium Medium to High $3-5/kg
Organic market High Low $250-$1000/tHorticulture/Agriculture
High Low $100-$500/t
Cattle Farmers High Low $100-$500/t
Biochar Price Signals
Cucumber Trials 2016/17
Does biochar make fertiliser more efficient?
Can biochar hold nutrients in the soil?
Subsoiling Tomatoes 2017
Results
1050
1100
1150
1200
1250
1300
1350
1400
Manure Compost HardwoodBiochar
Poultry LitterBiochar
Control
Yield Kg
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
pH Organic Carbon(% x 10)
Phosphorus(mg/kg)
Sulfur (mg/kg) Nitrate (mg/kg)
Soil Analysis Comparison
Poultry LitterBiochar
Control
Soil Analysis
• Feed Supplement (1-2%)– ↑ feed conversion ratio– ↑ carcass weight– ↓ pathogens
• Addition to litter (5-10%)– Adsorbs a range of gases
including, ammonia, methane, and nitrous oxide
– Less odours
• Dead bird management
Biochar & Poultry
Heat and Power
• 1 tonne/hr. feed = 1MW heat energy
• Conversion efficiency– 5 – 7% (small scale ORC) – 16-20% medium scale ORC)– 25-40% (Large scale steam
turbine)• Direct use of heat – Offset
– 75kg/hr. diesel– 73kg/hr. propane
Poultry Farm Biochar Process
• Smart Farming Partnerships– $750,000 over 4 years– Poultry litter biochar in
horticulture• Biochar based products
– Composted PLB– PLB foliar spray
• Continue to develop technology
• Actively seeking projects
Going Forward
Power• You can produce on farm
energyProducts• Poultry litter biochar is a
valuable commodity in food production
Profitability• Value add your poultry waste• Improve bird health/weight• Earn carbon credits
Key points
