Friday, 15 November 2019 09:55

Separation gives constant result

Written by  Staff Reporters
Bauer Separator. Bauer Separator.

Effluent separation offers a number of unique advantages, and opportunities that other systems don’t offer, says farm equipment manufacturer Rakaia Engineering Ltd (REL) Group.

REL says a separator offers a consistent treatment result: liquid and solid fractions stay within a 10 -15% range of nutrient split between solids and liquids. 

“In order to be able to manage how effluent is applied to land, we first need to quantify the nutrient content of what is being applied, in order to plan effluent applications,” the company says. 

“Nutrient content will vary from day to day based on feed volume and type. 

“By separating liquids from solids, and then injecting into irrigation at a rate of up to 30% effluent/70% water, we can better manage fluctuations in nutrient loading.” 

REL says other treatment systems don’t allow this same flexibility. 

In removing the solids from the liquids, the anaerobic breakdown of wastes is halted, mitigating the risks of the waste becoming anoxic through the fermentation process. 

Both solids and liquids remain nearly pH neutral -- preserving the nutrient value and reducing the need for man-made fertilisers, but also keeping nutrients in a storable format. 

“In halting the anaerobic process, we are able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the storage pond by up to 85%, as well as almost eliminating unpleasant odours,” REL says. 

The company’s Bauer Separators are able to screen particles from as fine as 0.25mm, up to 1mm, offering a range of irrigation options.

 “With all coarse material being extracted in the separation process, irrigated wastes have the quickest possible path to the root zone of the crop and, with fertiliser in a natural format, the quickest possible uptake. 

“On farms where nutrient volume is too high, the solids fraction is dry enough to be moved without environmental risk. 

“With separation being able to lock up to 30% nutrient in the solids, moving solids to another site allows the farmer to drop the overall nutrient loading on site dramatically.”

Farmers are facing more pressure to increase control over their nutrient loadings on farm. 

REL says separators are the only method of treatment which will adequately deal with increased solids loadings. 

Bauer Separators are warrantied to perform with waste up to 20% solids content, so are suited to changing site & environmental requirements, REL says.

“No other system provides the same level of solids removal, without the need to remove bulk wet solids waste from storage, and without further drying being required.

“Not only are wastes in a very useable format, they are very easy to handle with existing farm equipment. 

“The FDE Design Code of Practice indicates that separating solids as soon as possible is a preferable outcome for handling farm wastes. Only mechanical separation can truly delver this intended result.”

Bauer Separator 

• Can easily be incorporated to an existing effluent system. 

• Consistent treatment standard, nutrient split % stable.

• Nutrient split adjustable, depending on distribution requirements. 

• Considerable reduction in odours emitted from the slurry, also in pig manure. 

• Reduces storage required by 15 – 30%, depending on actual slurry consistency. 

More like this

Piggery effluent polluting stream

Waikato Regional Council has sought an interim Enforcement Order from the Environment Court to stop piggery effluent from entering a waterway north of Te Aroha.

Have your say

DairyNZ says it will complete a submission on both the winter grazing and the freshwater farm plan consultations, providing firm feedback to Government.

Featured

Still a slow boat to China!

Hopes of NZ sheepmeat prices picking up anytime soon in the country's key export market of China looks highly unlikely.

National

Frontline biosecurity 'untouchable'

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard has reiterated that 'frontline' biosecurity services within Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will not be cut…

Machinery & Products

New name, new ideas

KGM New Zealand, is part of the London headquartered Inchcape Group, who increased its NZ presence in August 2023 with…

All-terrain fert spreading mode

Effluent specialists the Samson Group have developed a new double unloading system to help optimise uphill and downhill organic fertiliser…

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Plant-based bubble bursts

OPINION: Talking about plant-based food: “Chicken-free chicken” start-up Sunfed has had its valuation slashed to zero by major investor Blackbird…

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter