Slurry acidification techniques: First steps towards comprehensive study in Russian conditions

Abstract

Introduction of new intensive animal housing practices results in the increased amount of manure produced with a higher share of slurry. Reducing nitrogen emissions from the agricultural activities into the environment is one of the priorities of agroecology. In 2016, ammonia losses to the atmosphere from livestock farming from the territory of the Russian Federation amounted to about 677,000 tons. One of the solutions to this problem is implementation of slurry acidification techniques by adding concentrated sulfuric acid. In the study the prerequisites for application of these techniques in large-scale cattle and pig-rearing complexes in the subjects of the Russian Federation located within the boundaries of the Baltic Sea catchment area were considered; the main features of the Russian legislation related to the treatment of slurry were analysed. In addition, a series of experiments was conducted with the samples of slurry from the Russian farms for preliminary assessment of sulfuric acid demand. With the mathematical model created in the framework of the EU project “Baltic Slurry Acidification”, the economic efficiency of slurry acidification techniques on a pilot farm in Russia was determined. The work done showed that the region under consideration had a significant potential for slurry acidification: out of 11.8 million tons of manure produced in the region, 7.4 million tons could potentially be used for this purpose. Slurry acidification techniques have both pros and cons associated, primarily, with the increased risks of emergencies when handling the particularly dangerous substances, sulfuric acid included.