Technology
Biorefining
More than 14 million tons of chicken litter is produced each year in the United States. It’s a significant challenge in need of a solution. CleanBay Renewables believes our process to turn this waste into usable natural gas and fertilizer, is part of the answer.
Step One
Fully enclosed tractor trailers with specialized walking floors deliver chicken litter directly into our airtight systems, all within minutes of arriving onsite.
Step Two
The chicken litter mixes with water in an oxygen-free digester tank at a temperature of 98 degrees Fahrenheit and remains there for roughly 25 days. During this process, the materials begin to break down creating two usable products – a renewable biogas and a slow-release fertilizer.
Step Three
This biogas is made of methane, the same material commonly used to heat homes and cook. The gas rises to the top of the tank while the solid materials, called digestate, sit just below.
Step Four
The biogas is pulled from the tank and sent through a gas cleanup catalyst. It can then be collected and transferred to the local natural gas distribution system or sent to an onsite electricity generator.
Step Five
The remaining solid material is further refined using mechanical and chemical processes to create a slow, controlled-release fertilizer product. This process helps significantly remove and stabilize elements like phosphorous and nitrogen, which in some regions easily wash away, polluting the water supply.
Step Six
The fertilizer is then available for local farmers and their suppliers to use as a natural additive for their fields. It will provide the same micronutrient and soil bulking properties as other products, but without the oversupply of nutrients.
Step Seven
The water used in the process is then fully recycled into the plant.
