Is cooling slurry the answer to reducing emissions?
Did you know that slurry cooling can reduce ammonia emissions by up to 75 per cent and that the heat extracted can be used to heat livestock housing?
By 2030, the UK needs to reduce emissions from 2005 levels by 16 per cent. Slurry cooling and slurry acidification both reduce ammonia emissions at source, which can lead to improved health and performance of animals and reduced odour emissions.
This is, in fact, a best available technique, because it makes use of both ends of the process – first to reduce emissions by cooling slurry and then to heat water. Slurry cooling currently qualifies under the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive for quarterly payments over 20 years, based on the amount of heat generated, and can offset the cost of heating weaner and farrowing accommodation. This incentive is available until March 31, 2021.
At AHDB, we’ve recently created an animation to explain the core components of slurry cooling. It can be found at: ahdb.org.uk/knowledge-library/slurry-cooling. Here you will also find a guide, should you want a little more detail, along with a list of suppliers and installers.
While slurry cooling might not be the answer for everyone, it is certainly becoming more popular.
Ben Williams, AHDB Senior Knowledge Transfer Manager
