Manure Digestion

Livestock manure is one of the most abundant and accessible substrates for biogas production worldwide. When manure is deposited into an oxygen-free anaerobic digester, the bacterial activity that occurs naturally in the gut of the animal continues outside it — breaking down the organic compounds and releasing methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) as the principal gaseous end-products.

Why Manure Makes an Ideal Substrate

Manure — from cattle, swine, poultry or other livestock — is stored in slurries or lagoons that naturally limit oxygen ingress, making it pre-conditioned for anaerobic digestion. The ammonia content can be managed by dilution with water prior to digestion. Pre-heating the manure expedites the digestion process and increases gas yield. Retention times depend on the animal type: pig manure typically requires 7–10 days; cattle manure 20–30 days.

Farm Energy Autonomy

On a mid-size dairy or hog farm, a continuous-feed digester can generate sufficient electricity to power the entire farm operation — and often surplus that can be sold back to the grid. The digestate is an excellent biofertiliser, often outperforming raw manure in terms of crop yield. Manure management costs — including hauling and storage — are substantially reduced.