Joint International Conference on Long-term Experiments ...

ENERGY RECOVERY FROM ANIMAL PRODUCTS
László Nagypál
Tessedik Sámuel College Faculty of Agricultural Water and Environmental
Management Institute of Environmental Sciences
5540 Szarvas, P.O. Box 3, Hungary
ABSTRACT
In the 21 st century Hungary there will not be sufficient traditional sources of energy so
that new kinds of energy will be required. The main aim of the research is to identify
renewable sources of energy which cannot be utilized in the places where they become
are available. Possible sources are the waste products of some industries which could
be recycled in the economy. For example, waste products which cannot be processed or
sold since are unwanted by-products which typically the owners seek to dispose of. The
utilization of renewing energy sources as an alternative to the fossil fuels is one of the
main efforts. (Barna 2002.)
In agriculture various types of product and waste are produced which could be a
source of energy. For example, plant residues, (energy) grass, animal manure and the
carcasses of dead animals. One possibility for cheap energy is the burning of the meat
meal and fat produced in the animal protein processing plants. The results of this
research suggest that these materials could be used as a supplementary energy source in
a cement works or coal-fed power-station. (Boros, Csokonay 2002.)
INTRODUCTION
The animal carcasses from farms are transported in a special lorry to the Animal Protein
Processing Plants, where they are treated. The process involves grinding the carcasses
into granular form which are then sterilised at 133 °C.
The 3 categories of animal wastes
EU regulations identify three categories for animal carcasses.
Category 1: carcasses with BSE prion or other diseases which can be transferred by
cross contamination;
Category 2: carcasses without risk of BSE or other diseases - manure, blood, bowels,
mud of sewage of slaughter-house;
Category 3: carcasses without risk of BSE or other diseases skin, blood (but not bovine
blood) bones, fur, hooves.
Possibility of treatment or utilization of animal carcasses
Category 1:
– burning in an incineration plant,
– burning with another material (e.g. with coal-dust in a coal-fed power-station, or
cement in the cement works) (These materials can not be used in animal feed.)
Category 2:
– used for manure or a soil enriching material,
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