EUBCE 2024 - Mostafa AHMED - Unveiling the Potential of Cow Manure Hydrothermal Processing: Safer Land Application and Energy Recovery Opportunities

Unveiling the Potential of Cow Manure Hydrothermal Processing: Safer Land Application and Energy Recovery Opportunities

Short Introductive summary

Cow manure is a valuable source of nutrients, yet its direct application to agricultural land poses significant risks to the environment and public health. Anaerobic digestion (AD), coupled with the land application of digestate, is a typical alternative. However, due to the high concentrations of nutrients and pathogens in digestate, AD is not sufficient to mitigate the risks associated with manure management. Addressing these challenges requires environmentally sound solutions that advance the principles of organic agriculture and the circular bio-economy. Considering the high moisture content of cow manure, hydrothermal processing emerges as a promising approach for its sustainable valorisation. The process converts manure into biochar, referred to as hydrochar, which can be utilised as a solid fuel and soil amendment. In addition, the process water obtained after dewatering the hydrochar can be valorised to recover bioenergy through AD.

M. Ahmed, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Delft, THE NETHERLANDS
N. Fonseca Acosta, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Delft, THE NETHERLANDS
H. Garcia, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Delft, THE NETHERLANDS
C. Dupont, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Delft, THE NETHERLANDS