Using poultry manure as a fuel is a zero carbon activity. As the manure is produced as part of growing birds it comes from a renewable source. Using manure in place of fossil fuels on a farm reduces the carbon footprint of the operation.
Traditionally poultry farms use either Natural Gas or Propane (LPG) to heat houses. The gas is generally burnt directly within the poultry house which indroduces water and carbon dioxide into the air the birds breathe. Every Tonne of LPG that is burnt adds 1.6 tonnes of water to the house environment alongside 3 tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (CO2).
LPG GPL: C3H8 + 5 O2 –> 3 CO2 + 4 H2O + energy
1 mol C3H8(44 g/mol) –> 3 mol CO2(44 g/mol) => 44g –> 3*44=132g => 1000/44*132=3000g
1 kg of LPG GPL produce 3 kg of CO2.
(Source: http://www.sunearthtools.com/tools/CO2-emissions-calculator.php#txtCO2_1)
As well as this direct saving, there is an indirect saving from not transporting the LPG to the site or transporting manure away from the site.
Generating electricity from manure offers further reductions in the Carbon Footprint of a farm.
In addition, by improving the environment within the houses bhsl can dry the litter and prevent the creation of ammonia. Ammonia is produced by microbes utilizing water within the litter and
contributes towards the unpleasant odour that can be associated with poultry production.
BHSL sites have observed improved food conversion. By using less feed to reach the same target weight the grower can save money but this also further reduces the carbon footprint and makes production more efficient and sustainable.
An independent study by Newcastle University compared the BHSL system for using manure to heat poultry houses to using propane and land spreading. The results of the Life Cycle Analysis show reductions in eutrophication potential of 26 – 32% and reductions in acidification potential of 31 – 40%.
“Reductions in eutrophication potential of 26 – 32% and reductions in acidification potential of 31 – 40%”
(Source: Newcastle University Life Cycle Analysis)
