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Grant awarded for research into innovative uses for poultry litter
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has
awarded the University of Georgia Department of Biological and Agricultural
Engineering (UGA) a US$58,000 grant to research innovative uses of poultry
litter to benefit energy, fuel, and environmental and economic demands.
Georgia currently ranks first in the nation in the
production of poultry and poultry litter, and disposing of the litter is a
growing environmental concern. Most poultry litter is beneficially used as
fertiliser for crops; however, applying too much litter to farmland can result
in impaired soil and water quality.
UGA researchers are seeking useful applications for this
excess poultry litter.
One of the exciting potential uses for poultry litter
is energy production. This research project is being undertaken to study
alternative uses of poultry litter to produce fertiliser pellets, bio-oils for
energy, or char to be used as fuel or a fertiliser. If implemented, these
approaches can provide cost-effective solutions for waste reduction, protection
of water quality, and healthier outdoor air.
"EPA is pleased to join this collaborative effort to
address a major environmental concern as well as support a vital economic sector
in the Southeast and Georgia," said Jimmy Palmer, EPA Regional Administrator. "I
am very excited about the potential environmental benefits brought on by the
innovative development of this source of energy."
"I am very excited about this opportunity to research
and apply new technologies that will benefit poultry producers and the citizens
of Georgia," said Dr Mark Risse, one of the primary researchers for the project.
"We appreciate the opportunity to work with the EPA to develop value added
processes to utilise the by-products of our poultry industry while improving,
soil, water and air resources."
Risse will join Kaushlendra Singh and Doctors Sidney
Thompson, K C Das and John Worley in this research project to develop an
economical and energy efficient process to convert raw poultry litter into a
richer source of nutrients and energy using innovative
techniques.
Editor WorldPoultry
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