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Energy and Nutrient Recovery from Cattle Feedlots

Published by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, Michigan www.asabe.org

Citation:  International Symposium on Air Quality and Manure Management for Agriculture Conference Proceedings, 13-16 September 2010, Dallas, Texas  711P0510cd.(doi:10.13031/2013.32708)
Authors:   Roger A Eigenberg, Bryan L Woodbury, David B Parker, Mindy J Spiehs
Keywords:   soil conductivity, economics, cattle feedlots, manure, energy

Selective harvesting of manure can benefit cattle producers by creating a product of value. A tool that identifies locations of manure accumulation has been developed and demonstrated. A dual geometry sub-surface sensor (Dualem-1S, Milton, ON, Canada) was used with software designed for salt mapping (ESAP, Riverside, CA). The combination allowed the development of models to estimate a higher heating value (HHV) of feedlot manure across a feedlot pen. Soil sample data from cattle feedlots in Texas and Nebraska were analyzed for volatile solids (VS) and then combined with the Dualem-1S apparent soil electrical conductivity (ECa) data to produce models having correlations between ECa and associated VS (r2=0.869). A corresponding model is under development to estimate the moisture content of the collectable solids. The combined models allow real-time spatial estimates of HHV within a feedlot pen. These methods will allow direct harvesting of VS for use as a recoverable energy source through direct combustion or co-combustion.

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