Abstract
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the process to utilize digested slurry from methane fermentation as a fertilizer were calculated with actual operational data from a methane fermentation plant and the effects were verified by introducing the process into a field system. The results indicated that the total emissions from the utilization of digested slurry as a fertilizer were 8.1 kg-CO2 eq. per 1 ton of digested slurry and transportation was the major source of GHG emissions, accounting for 67 % of the total emissions. Shortening the transportation distance by using digested slurry in farmlands near the methane fermentation plant is the most effective to reduce GHG emissions. The results also indicated that GHG emissions from the wastewater treatment process for digested slurry were much larger than GHG emissions from the utilization of digested slurry as a fertilizer. In conclusion, CH4 as an energy source and digested slurry as a fertilizer can be effectively utilized and reduce GHG emissions by introducing the methane fermentation processes to the use of digested slurry as a fertilizer.
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Acknowledgments
We would like to thank specially Mr. Kunio Abe, Director and Dr. Hideki Aihara of the YBP for their great contributions. This study was supported by a Grant from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (Rural Biomass Research Project, BUM-Cm3200).
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Nakamura, M., Yuyama, Y., Yamaoka, M. et al. Global warming impacts of the process to utilize digested slurry from methane fermentation as a fertilizer: Case Study of the Yamada Biomass Plant. Paddy Water Environ 12 (Suppl 2), 295–299 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-013-0375-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10333-013-0375-1