June 8, 2005—The Alberta Research Council and Highmark Renewables have opened a new pilot plant to transform manure into energy, bio-based fertilizers and reusable water, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental impacts associated with land application of manure.
The Integrated Manure Utilization System, or IMUS, combines anaerobic digestion, biogas utilization, liquid/solid separation, nutrient recovery and enrichment processes. Methane gas produced through anaerobic digestion is used to generate green power and heat. The highly efficient processes recover and concentrate nutrients from the digested liquid to produce pathogen-free bio-based fertilizers. Water recovered from this process is used for irrigation purposes.
ARC is currently adapting this technology to include other biomass sources, such as liquid manure, food-processing waste, livestock mortalities, rendering materials and municipal wastes.
The Alberta Research Council delivers innovative science and technology solutions, meeting the priorities of industry and government, in Alberta and beyond. Our integrated, multi-disciplinary teams help our customers and partners take technologies from the laboratory to the field, strengthening their competitiveness and sustainability.
For more information, visit the Alberta Research Council Web site.
