Organic waste recycling to short rotation wood crops
- WRc plc, Buckinghamshire (United Kingdom)
The current European use of inorganic fertilisers (n, P{sub 2}O{sub 5} + K{sub 2}O) amounts of 18.8 M tonnes per year, 92% of which could be substituted for by animal wastes on the basis of nutrients supplied. Substantial changes are taking place in the agricultural industry as land is taken out of food production and the area under non-food crops increases. Biomass energy crops may potentially form a substantial proportion of the alternative uses of agricultural land. Where these crops require fertiliser addition to optimise yield, organic wastes should be considered as low cost, low energy alternatives to inorganic fertilisers. With correct planning and information provision, the expansion of short rotation wood crops may present the first opportunity to automatically regard organic wastes as the preferred nutrient source, and hence begin this process of inorganic fertiliser substitution. Short rotation wood crops are also being developed as dedicated outlets and treatment systems for organic wastes and wastewaters. They offer an attractive option to farmers for whom the installation of waste treatment facilities can involve substantial investment for no direct economic return. Waste treatment and disposal on wood crops provides the farmer with an income from the wood generated. Hence the development of such systems may encourage better waste management. A number of developmental systems have been installed. It is anticipated that at the current lead of understanding, systems will predominantly be relatively small, a few tens of hectares, and extensive in terms of hydraulic and nutrient loading rates. The ash produced by the combustion of fuelwood, has a fertiliser value and its is desirable that this be recycle to ensure that this renewable energy source is managed to minimise any potentially negative environmental impacts. The benefits and problems of ash recycling are briefly described.
- Research Organization:
- National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 115240
- Report Number(s):
- NREL/CP-200-8098; CONF-9508104-; ON: DE95009230; TRN: 95:006736-0019
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 2. meeting on biomass of the Americas, Portland, OR (United States), 21-24 Aug 1995; Other Information: PBD: [1995]; Related Information: Is Part Of Second biomass conference of the Americas: Energy, environment, agriculture, and industry. Proceedings; PB: 1741 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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