Capturing and recycling ammonia from livestock waste is possible using a process developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) researchers. This invention could help streamline on-farm nitrogen management by allowing farmers to reduce potentially harmful ammonia emissions and concentrate nitrogen in a liquid product to sell as fertiliser.
The system uses gas-permeable membranes that are similar to materials already used in waterproof outdoor gear and biomedical devices. Using these materials, the scientists recorded an average removal rate from 45 to 153 milligrams of ammonia per litre per day when manure ammonia concentrations ranged from 138 to 302 milligrams of ammonia per litre. When manure acidity decreases, ammonia recovery increases. USDA filed for a patent on this invention (
US20110229403).
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Source: USDA Agricultural Research Service