ARS | Publication request: Investigations into the beneficial uses of ash from the combustion of manure from beef cattle feedlots

Submitted to: International Symposium on Air Quality and Waste Management for Agriculture
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: June 28, 2010
Publication Date: September 13, 2010
Citation: Deotte, Jr., R.E., Stewart, B.A., Megel, A.J., Darapuneni, M., Robinson, C.A., Parker, D.B. 2010. Investigations into the beneficial uses of ash from the combustion of manure from beef cattle feedlots. In: Proceedings of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. International Symposium on Air Quality and Manure Management for Agriculture, September 13-16, 2010, Dallas, Texas. 2010 CDROM

Technical Abstract: The potential for beneficial uses or co-products from the combustion of beef cattle manure were investigated. Phosphate concentrations indicate some potential for use as an agronomic soil amendment, but the phosphate is not freely released. Greenhouse studies suggest that neither good nor harm occurs. Ashes from the combustion of coal and lignite have been used effectively as an amendment to Portland cement concrete and a variety of construction applications, indicating potential for similar applications for the manure ash. The strength and chemical properties suggest only limited possibilities for the ash in this arena. The ash can be amended with Portland cement to yield a product suitable for road base or flowable fills, but appears to serve primarily as a fine aggregate lacking the plasticity normally associated with the Class C ashes produced from the combustion of lignite or sub-bituminous coals. Chemical analyses of the coal and manure ashes indicate subtle differences in the composition that may account for the difference in plasticity. Tests with bottom ash suggest that all ash fractions, when sintered and crushed, may be suitable for use on icy roads as a replacement for sand and salt. It is particularly suited to this application because of its essentially inert chemistry.