The advantages of slurry separation
With agricultural businesses in the UK facing sustained financial pressures, opportunities to reduce costs and improve operations are extremely valuable. Slurry handling is one area where improvements can be made, as Vogelsang explains.
Slurry separation offers farmers numerous operational advantages: in addition to more efficient, plant-friendly application of the liquid phase and the versatile use of the separated solids, one of the biggest advantages of using a separator is the massive savings in storage capacity. By separating the slurry into solid and liquid components, farm storage capacity can be increased by up to 25%. This not only means less space is required, but also that existing resources are used more efficiently. The solid component of the slurry can be transported in a space-saving manner or stored on slabs, while the liquid phase can be pumped directly into storage in the same step. The solid phase can then be profitably passed on to biogas plants for energy production.
The XSplit Compact separator from Vogelsang is a flexible system unit specifically designed for the price and performance requirements of agricultural businesses. Thanks to innovative technology, a total solids content of up to 40% is possible. Depending on the medium, using the separator saves up to 25% in storage capacity and also combines various work steps.
The system consists of a robust, low-maintenance separator and an optional powerful double-chamber pump for simultaneous slurry supply and removal. The pump not only saves energy but also significantly reduces costs and maintenance, enabling slurry to be pumped farther in the same work step.
The separator drive on the solids side eliminates the need for a shaft seal, further reducing operating costs and maintenance. Vogelsang’s QuickService concept enables quick, direct access to screens and press screws, making maintenance particularly quick and easy. The modular, three-part screen allows only the worn part to be replaced, eliminating unnecessary spare part costs.
As an independent, plug-and-play, flexible system unit, the XSplit Compact can be conveniently operated at different locations, even across different operations, such as on the farm, in various stables or at the biogas plant.
Separating slurry into liquid and solid components offers numerous advantages. In addition to the increased storage capacity potential, feed quality is also improved as no solids stick to the plants when the liquid phase is spread, thus reducing feed contamination and plant burns to a minimum.
Another advantage of separated slurry is more efficient nutrient utilisation. The liquid phase can be placed directly beneath the plants using equipment such as Vogelsang’s trailing shoe technology and can penetrate the soil more rapidly. This makes nutrients available to plants more quickly, resulting in healthier, more robust plant growth.
A field test on a farm in Schleswig-Holstein has also confirmed that separation with the XSplit Compact can save up to 25% in storage volume by separating the solid from the liquid phase. The liquid manure volume of 28m3 with a dry matter content of approximately 10% was reduced by over 20% using the mobile XSplit Compact separation unit. The separated solid phase, approximately 5-6m3, no longer ends up in the feed and could be used economically.
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