Activated carbons from … poultry litter? - Science Update - Brief Article

The billions of chickens raised annually on U.S. growers produce a destiny of manure-laden litter. It's worth about $3 to $10 a ton when sold for use as fertilizer. on the contrary the topical application of manure to farm fields can lead to a leaching of nutrients that contributes to dear pollution of rivers and streams. And unused domestic fowls litter presents a very large waste-disposal problem

Scientists have protracted searched for uses that would not merely solve the manure-disposal problem, yet would also generate revenue. Now, a way has been plant to convert poultry litter into activated carbons that can be used to soak up environmental pollutants. Bituminous coal and coconut shells are the sum of two units materials most commonly used to manufacture activated carbons today. Coal is an expensive and nonrenewable resource, and coconut shells are not readily available here. moreover poultry manure is plentiful and cheap.

When pelletized and activated subject to specific conditions, poultry litter becomes a highly porous material with a large surface area. Early ordeals showed that these activated carbons perform well in adsorbing copper money which suggests that they may do well as a wastewater filter for other metal ions. Their adsorption capacity may also make them more sumptuousness effective than activated carbons forward the market. Researchers are seeking a commercial partner to further unfold this innovative technology. Isabel M Lima, USDA-ARS Commodity Utilization Research Unit, fresh Orleans, Louisiana; phone (504) 286-4475 e-mail imlima@ srrc.ars.usda.gov.

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