How to Keep Nitrogen in Slurry by Acidification?
High pH of slurry is the main reason for very rapid evaporation of ammonia during its application to the field. During storage of slurry in tanks, significant nitrogen losses also occur. These losses can be reduced by covering tanks, cooling the slurry to slow down the processes occurring in it, or acidifying it.
Currently, in Denmark 20% of slurry is acidified. There are only a few pilot plants outside Denmark. Interest in this technique is growing in other countries, and the current BAT (Best Available Techniques) document indicates slurry acidification as a mandatory best available technique in all EU countries. Practical implications/recommendations: There are 3 methods of slurry acidification: “in house”, “in field” and “in storage”. It is very important to follow safety rules in each system. Particular attention should be paid to personal protective equipment, such as eye protection goggles, a mask absorbing toxic fumes, acid-resistant gloves and shoes, and a hooded suit. The cost of purchasing sulphuric acid is low, around 15 EUR per litre, and it is easily available. Main cost is equipment. The first slurry acidification system appeared on the market in 1999 in Denmark and it was a system of acidification in house. Then around 2009 a system of acidification in the field was introduced. The last one on the market appeared a system of acidification of slurry in storage.
- Target Audience: farmers
Climate Farm Demo
Ongoing | 2022-2029
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Serbia