The combustion of poultry litter and organic wastes after pelletized

Broiler farms produce large amounts of litter that is typically spread on nearby cropland as a fertilizer source. However, excess amount cause environmental concern by odour emission, contamination to water bodies and pathogen transmission. Burning litter biomass to provide energy for space heating in broiler houses has been viewed as an alternative of renewable energy, especially when combine with local crop residues. In the present study, litter samples were obtained from a local broiler farm following clean-out to evaluate the energy content, exhaust gas emissions and characteristics of ash following combustion. Wood sawdust, hazelnut nut shell, corn stalk and rice husk were also evaluated as a possible combustion with poultry litter to amend combustion and emissions. The low and high heating values of the litter was 3100 – 3500 kcal/kg, respectively, and had an ash content of 19.4% dry basis. Predominant ash mineral was P2O5 in the litter. Poultry litter combustion was proved the exhaust gas emission limits, together with most concerning gas NOx. The energy content and exhaust gas emissions of crop residues were given the better values than poultry litter. According to the results, economically feasible and high energy containing biomass fuel can be produced by combining poultry litter and crop residues