Manure Drying System with Cyclone and Scrubber for Odor Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing livestock manure are inadequate in addressing odor issues and environmental concerns, particularly for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), as they often result in water quality impairment and regulatory non-compliance due to improper manure management and disposal.
Innovation Solution
A system and process that involves blending and drying manure with biomass, using a hopper, dryer, cyclone, and wet scrubber to produce dry manure solids and clean exhaust, with the option of heating and aerating lagoons to further treat waste water and exhaust gases, reducing moisture content and odor, and creating suitable bedding or soil amendments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If livestock manure is stored and applied to land, then it can be used as fertilizer, but it causes water quality impairment and odor problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming manure from liquid/slurry form to solid form through drying, and by changing its chemical composition through combustion. This converts manure into a different state (dry ash or solid fuel) that no longer poses water quality risks while retaining nutritional value for soil amendment or energy generation purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase transitions in two ways: (1) drying transitions manure from liquid to solid phase, and (2) combustion transitions organic matter to ash and gas phases. These phase changes eliminate the liquid manure that causes water pollution while preserving useful components in alternative forms.
2Use of energy by moving object
If anaerobic digestion is used to treat manure, then methane is produced, but volatile intermediate compounds with foul odor are generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful aspect of manure management (odor-causing organic matter) into a beneficial outcome by combusting it to produce energy. The combustion process transforms the same organic material that would otherwise cause odor into heat and light energy, while the ash produced is odorless and safe for land application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs combustion (strong oxidation) to rapidly decompose organic matter in manure. This accelerated oxidation process completely breaks down odor-causing compounds into carbon dioxide, water vapor, and ash, eliminating the foul odor problem that occurs during slower anaerobic digestion.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If manure is combusted to avoid odor, then dry ash is produced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the manure combustion process with electricity generation by directing combustion gases through a generator. This combines waste treatment (odor elimination) with energy production, transforming the energy-consuming combustion process into an energy-generating operation that offsets operational costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by using the manure itself as the fuel source for combustion and simultaneously as the raw material for energy generation. The system is essentially self-sufficient, converting its own waste product into energy that powers the treatment process and generates excess electricity for external use.
4Productivity
If CAFOs increase livestock concentration to improve productivity, then more manure is produced, but land and water resources become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phase transitions to resolve the manure volume problem by converting liquid manure into solid ash through drying and combustion. This volume reduction transforms approximately 300 million tons of liquid manure into a much smaller quantity of solid material that can be easily transported and applied to land without causing water quality impairment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of manure through combustion, transforming it from a bulky liquid waste product into a concentrated solid ash material. This parameter change dramatically reduces the volume that needs to be managed while preserving nutritional value for soil amendment.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively minimizes odor emissions, reduces water pollution, and produces valuable end-products like bedding and soil amendments, aligning with regulatory requirements by managing manure in a way that mitigates environmental impact and meets EPA standards.
Implementation Method 1
drying the manure feedstock generating suitable livestock bedding product or suitable soil amendment/conditioner and an exhaust
Implementation Method 2
a dryer having a cyclone adapted to vent exhaust and discharge dried manure solids
Implementation Method 3
The system may also include a wet scrubber and/or an oxidation trench each adapted to remove particulate from the exhaust
Implementation Method 4
a furnace adapted to provide heat to the dryer
Implementation Method 5
The process may still further include heating and aerating one or more lagoons and/or one or more trenches (each adapted to digest wet manure) with the warm waste water and with the particulate-containing and/or clean exhausts
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems and processes for drying livestock manure to produce suitable end-products such as animal bedding and soil conditioner or amendments. Dried manure made by the process can be recycled into the burner. Exhaust gases from the dryer and cyclone can be cleansed of particulate and/or used to heat and aerate trenches and/or lagoons used to digest wet manure. Biomass may also be used as fuel in the burner. Biomass may also be blended with wet manure to decrease water content prior to being dried in the dryer.