Who it suits
What type of farm works best
If you have the following then solid separators could generate strong returns for your farm:
Piggery on plug-pull or flushing system with 10k SPUs
Compost barn with 800 or more cows
Free Stall barn with 600 or more cows
Pasture Based with 1500 or more cows
What is a solid separator?
A solid separator is a device that separates the solids out of the wastewater collected from barns, housing pens and milking sheds. This includes screens, weeping walls, mechanical screws, gravity settling or rotating drums to separate solids from the liquid effluent stream.
What you are left with:
Less solids settling in your pond
Drier material that is easier to handle
A cleaner liquid that is easier to pump
Why it matters for piggeries and dairies
Why separate solids?
Carbon revenue
Piggeries and dairies installing new effluent treatment can generate Australian Carbon Credit Units, turning avoided emissions into an extra revenue stream.
Lower maintenance costs
Removing solids before they settle reduces pond and lagoon build-up and how often you need to desludge.
Lower emissions
Solid separation cuts methane production in effluent ponds, reducing your farm's emissions footprint.
Lower emissions
Solid separation cuts methane production in effluent ponds, reducing your farm's emissions footprint.
Choosing the right separator
Separator options
Many types of solid separator can be used to separate solids and generate Australian Carbon Credit Units. These are the three most common.
Weeping wall
Simplest, lowest-cost option
Effluent flows against a slotted wall. The liquid drains through and the solids stay behind. Effective, low cost and easy to maintain.
Screw press
Mechanical, compacts the solids
A rotating auger pushes effluent through a narrowing, perforated screen. Liquid drains out through the screen while the solids are progressively compacted and squeezed.
Incline screen
Non-mechanical, simple and cheap
Effluent flows down a stationary, sloped screen. Liquid passes through the openings, while solids too large to fit through slide off the bottom edge.
Other options:
Centrifuge
A high-speed centrifuge spins the solids out of the effluent.
Inoculant
An additive mixed into the manure to help the solids separate.
After separation
What happens to the solids?
The separated solids need to be composted. Most farms do this in one of two ways.
Windrows
Long piles of separated solids, turned occasionally for aeration.
Stockpiles
An arrangement of piles, managed to suit your site layout.
How it works
01
Separate the solids
Install new effluent treatment, such as a weeping wall, screw press or incline screen.
02
Avoid emissions
Separation cuts methane production in your effluent ponds.
03
Generate ACCUs
Avoided emissions can earn credits under the Clean Energy Regulator's Animal Effluent Management method.
04
Earn revenue
Ag2Energy generates and sells the credits, giving your farm an extra income stream.
Ag2Energy partners with equipment providers and does not supply solid separators.
Solid separators and carbon credits
Common questions
Can't see your question here? Email us at info@ag2energy.com.au.