Comparison of different Digestate Processing Systems Concerning environmental Efficiency

摘要

There are regions in Europe with high livestock density, which means high quantities of manure with organic nutrients but insufficient areas to applicate these nutrient amounts. On the other side, there are large areas with a high nutrient demand forplant cultivation. There are several options to treat manure with the aim of saving emissions and solve transport distance problems simultaneously. This assessment will make a contribution towards further optimization of manure treatment systems with focus on climate change, eutrophication and acidification potential. The conducted life cycle assessment shows that manure treatment is not better than conventional manure handling in any case. From an overall ecological view treatment, options that separate manure or digested manure with downstream composting can be an optimal way of manure treatment. Further positive aspects are the increase of transport distances in consequence of composting or drying processes.