- Roskilde University Denmark
In this study the potential for reduction of greenhouse gasses from the Danish agricultural sector by the implementation of pyrolysis in manure management is evaluated. Using Life Cycle Assessment Carbon Footprints of the following four manure management systems are calculated based on the functional unit management of 1 ton of pig manure:• Ref 1: Manure is applied directly to soil• Ref 2: Manure is used for biogas production then applied to soil• Scen 1: Manure separated in liquid and fibrous fractions. The fibrous fraction is used for pyrolysis and biochar is applied to soil. The liquid fraction is applied directly to soil• Scen 2: Manure is used for biogas production then separated in liquid and fibrous fractions. The fibrous fraction is used for pyrolysis and biochar is applied to soil. The liquid fraction is applied directly to soilCombined, the two reference systems represent the current manure management system in Denmark where 20% of all manure is used for biogas production. A Carbon Footprint of 167 kg CO2e per ton manure was found for this system. This functions as the basis of comparison for the two pyrolysis scenarios.The Carbon Footprint of Scen 1 and Scen 2 was found to be 87 and 121 kg CO2e per ton manure representing a 48% and 27% reduction compared to the current manure management, respectively. The main causes of the reduction are reduced emissions of methane from storage and CO2 from field processes. Using these Carbon Footprints reduction potentials were calculated assuming implementation of the pyrolysis scenarios for the total amount of pig- and dairy manure in Denmark. A potential reduction of 3.7 mio ton CO2e for Scen 1 and 2.1 for Scen 2. This corresponds to 34% and 19% of the total emissions from the Danish agricultural sector.