Groundwater vs. farming – meeting the needs of both

Because of the increasing strain imposed on groundwater as a result of excess

use of fertilisers, the legislative authorities in The Netherlands and Belgium

felt compelled to impose more stringent regulations on drinking water and soil

protection. The resultant restrictions have led to surpluses of liquid manure

in intensive farms, and in particular in pig-feeding operations.

The problem of how to spread the liquid manure on land without causing environmental

problems has been solved by reducing phosphate and nitrogen levels. This task

of solid-liquid separation is handled efficiently and cost-effectively by mechanical

separation technology using decanters. The decanter removes 70%-90% of phosphate

compounds and 30%-35% of nitrogen compounds. After separation, these substances

remain in the crumbly solid phase, which can easily be transported with conveyer

belts and stored. The liquid can then be spread on fields with less strain on

the soil and groundwater. The farmer can use existing land for a larger number

of animals.

Specific use of nutrients

A permanent liquid manure treatment installation consists primarily of a liquid

manure collection tank with an agitator, a de-watering station, product pump,

clarifying decanter and control unit as well as the tank for holding clarified

liquid manure. Solid particles, are removed by centrifugal treatment, and de-watered

to a trickling consistency. The solids discharged from the decanter are suitable

for processing into fertiliser but must first be treated hygienically by drying

or composting. The solids can then be filled into commercial packings and sold

as valuable fertiliser. In the Netherlands, fertiliser obtained in this way

may be spread on land that still has to be fertilised. However, in the Flemish

part of Belgium, it has to be exported.

A Dutch company has ordered AD1220 decanters from Westfalia Separator which

are fitted with a 2-gear drive for optimum dewatering, and are capable of processing

up to 20 m3/h. The company operates the decanters, including the necessary installation

components such as pumps and pumping technology, as a mobile installation on

a truck. The power supply is obtained from a diesel generator, which is also

on the mobile installation. This means that the decanter is a completely independent

unit and can be moved from farm to farm for processing liquid manure.

The mechanical process of separating liquid manure into solids and a liquid

suspension using decanters does not use any chemicals, e.g. flocculants and

while most orders to date have been from Belgium and the Netherlands where regulations

regarding groundwater and environmental protection are strict, the method is

suitable for use worldwide.