In this process, manure taken directly from the temporary manure storage area undergoes various stages of conditioning before being sent to an electroflotation unit where the suspended particles are brought to the surface by tiny hydrogen bubbles produced through the electrolysis of water molecules. The result is a dense layer (floc) on the surface containing suspended matter, phosphorus and heavy metals and an underlying nitrogenous liquid fraction. The clarified liquid fraction is moved to the pit for later agricultural use. The solid fraction is removed and stored before being used on soil requiring additional phosphorus or exported outside the business for agricultural use.

As this process can be automated, it can be adapted to farms of all sizes.

AAFC and the IRDA produced a joint invention disclosure for this electroflotation process. AAFC owns the intellectual property rights for it. AAFC gave the IRDA an exclusive licence agreement on the “Conditioning and treatment of animal manure using electroflotation.” The IRDA filed a patent application on May 8, 2008 in Canada and the United States.

More information about this process is available in the business opportunity document provided below. Parties interested in this electroflotation process for animal manure (manufacturers and others) should contact the IRDA directly to discuss the authorized use of the process by licence agreement or even as part of a joint research and development project.

IRDA Marketing Contact

Marc Laverdière

Email: marc.laverdiere@irda.qc.ca

IRDA Scientific contact information

Simon P. Guertin

Email: simon-p.guertin@irda.qc.ca

- The electroflotation process for manure produces a liquid fraction that falls below the detection limit for pathogens and allows for better odour control in the liquid fraction, mainly because of the oxidation of certain volatile organic compounds.

The analyses show that the treated liquid fraction is freed of at least 98% of its phosphorus and 99.9% of its suspended matter.

- The concentrations of heavy metals, including copper and zinc, in the liquid fraction fall within the environmental standards for aquatic environments.

The liquid fraction still contains much of the nitrogen.

- The approximate cost of operation (additives and electricity) is $2 per cubic metre.

The electroflotation concept was validated with manure from 21 hog farms in Montérégie and Estrie, Quebec, and it included dairy cattle manure. The next step will be to carry out an automated, pre-commercial prototype of 0.5 m³ or 1 m³. This prototype should include measuring equipment for adjusting the dosage of products added to the manure according to its composition. The plans and specifications have already been completed according to technical, operational and cost constraints.