Investigation of Nitrogen-Bearing Species in Catalytic Steam Gasification of Poultry Litter

Abstract

The production of broiler chickens has become one of the largest sectors in U.S. agriculture, and the growing demand for poultry has led to an annual production growth rate of 5%. With increased demand for poultry, litter management has become a major challenge in the agriculture industry. Although the catalytic steam gasification has been accepted as a possible and feasible method for litter management, concern has been expressed about the presence of nitrogen and phosphorus containing species in the fuel gas and/or in the final solid residue. The possible release of phosphorus as phosphine gas in the fuel gas can have an adverse impact on the environment. Similarly, possible release of ammonia from the nitrogen containing species is also not acceptable. Hence, under partial U.S. Department of Agriculture support, a study was conducted to examine the fate and the environmental impact of the nitrogen-and phosphorus-containing species released during catalytic steam gasification of poultry litter. From various preliminary tests, it was concluded that most (ϳ100%) of the phosphorus would remain in the residue, and some (20 -70%) of the nitrogen would end up as ammonia in the fuel gas. The effects of temperature, catalyst loading, and type of catalyst on ammonia liberation were studied in a muffled furnace setup at atmospheric pressure. The fraction of nitrogen released as ammonia was found to decrease with an increase in temperature during pyrolysis and steam gasification. It also decreased with an increase in catalyst loading.

Leachate water quality of soils amended with different swine manure-based amendments

“…Generally higher the thermal conditions, higher the inorganic nutrient contents except for N . Furthermore, manures are nutrient-rich feedstock materials and the pyrolysis of manures produces more nutrient-rich biochar than plant-based biochars (Sheth and Bagchi, 2005;Chan et al, 2008;Gaskin et al, 2008;Ro et al, 2010;Cantrell et al, 2012). However, environmental impacts such as potential water pollution from adding these manure-based biochars to soil are not clear at this time.…”

Effect of Fractionation and Pyrolysis on Fuel Properties of Poultry Litter

“…22 Depending on the conditions, between 20 and 70% of nitrogen present in the litter can be released as ammonia during pyrolysis/steam gasification. 23 Despite the fact that poultry litter char has low NH 4 -N, it could be a good soil amendment for its fertilizer value and its value for carbon sequestration. …”

Modeling the valorization of poultry litter via thermochemical processing

“…The maximum production of hydrogen was observed between 3 and 6 min at 900 °C. Sheth and Bagchi were more interested in the nitrogen‐bearing chemical species during the catalytic steam reforming of poultry litter. Cotana et al .…”