Researchers with Puratone have concluded (yesterday) that a two month evaluation of the effectiveness of a research scale centrifuge based solid-liquid manure separator in removing phosphorus from swine manure.

The 45 hundred RPM centrifuge separates swine manure into a solid stream, which contains most of the phosphorus, and a liquid stream which contains most of the nitrogen.

The study is part of Puratone's efforts to prepare for new phosphorus fertilizer application limits scheduled to come into effect in Manitoba.

Puratone project engineer Dr. Shorkry Rashwan says the evaluation focused on the technical viability of the system.

Dr. Shorkry Rashwan-Puratone Corporation

The main cause of our problems and any hog producer's problem is the solids in the manure.

If the solids are out, then half the problems are solved...probably more.

We said, if we are able get out 50 percent or more of our solids and 70 or 60 percent or more of the phosphorus then we're happy.

That technology offers that.

We are seeing an average of 50-55 percent solid separated and about 60 to 65 percent phosphorus separated which is really significant considering what else is available on the market.

Dr. Rashwan expects results of the evaluation to be made public this fall.

He notes the capacity of the mobile research unit is extremely limited so the next step will be to move up to a commercial scale system capable of handling the volumes of manure generated by an average size hog barn and to address the challenge of processing manure during the cold Manitoba winter.