Thermochemical Conversion (TCC) of Livestock Manure to Produce Fuel and Reduce Odor and Waste

Thermochemical conversion (TCC) is a chemical reforming reaction of organic compounds to produce oils and gases. Despite the TCC had been studied using coal and wood sludge as feed stock during the oil crises in the 1970’s, the research was not sustained because of the low oil prices and high cost of the feed stock and catalysts (sodium and carbon monoxide).  TCC process, however, could be applied to livestock manure -- a cost-less feed stock.  In fact, manure is a much more desirable feed stock compared with liquidated coal and wood sludge because of:

A preliminary study demonstrated that 20% of raw manure was converted into low-sulfur oils.  It is expected that the oil conversion efficiency can be significantly improved. Since the TCC is a closed-loop process, odor and waste can be substantially reduced.  The post-processed wastewater is much cleaner (low COD), and the solid fertilizer could be a value added commercial commodity (e.g., flowerpot material).

The objectives of this research are:

1. To examine the critical solids content of manure at which the TCC can produce sufficient renewable fuels to sustain the process; 
2. To examine the effects of temperature, pressure and retention time on fuel production; 
3. To examine nutrient removal efficiency in terms of COD and fertilizer values of the feed stock; and 
4. To examine the economic feasibility of the TCC technology applied to swine manure treatment.

A scaled-up prototype of the TCC processor is under development. Chemical oxygen demand (COD) and fertilizer value of the manure will be measured before and after the process.  The heating value of the output oil and gas will be analyzed.  Data generated from this study will provide guidelines for manure pre-treatment requirements and for a full-scale processor design.