Chemical analysis are proceeding aimed at studying the use of chicken-manure as a fuel within the CHIMERA plant, thanks to the collaboration with the academic team led by Prof. Enrico Marcantoni of UNICAM University of Camerino (School of Science and Technology – Chemistry Division). The analysis focus on the substance that is produced at the end of the combustion of the droppings, through the burner, which carries out a diffusive combustion of the biomass. The technological innovation related to the burner – two patents by 3P Engineering – concerns the biomass charge, (flame-free) in the area of ​​injection of the oxidising air. At the end of the combustion, the ashes and the fumes’ by-product pass through two serial scrubbers and are transformed into sludge. Subsequently, the sludge passes through a centrifugal decanter that separates liquid – water – from solid – compost – ready for packaging. The compost is a fertilizer rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to be spread on land for corn and wheat production. Thanks to UNICAM, studies are underway regarding the possibilities of ammonia abatement and tar removal, starting from the analysis of various techniques already known in the literature, and which include biological, physical and chemical methods. Most of the known approaches, however, are quite expensive and require a high degree of maintenance, but from the analysis carried out by the University of Camerino team, the biomass-based dry filter appears to be an economic and ecological option. In particular, the tar removal efficiency of bio-based filters increases in the presence of scrubbers, as in the case of the CHIMERA plant, validating the engineering choices for the construction of the project’s Pilot Plant. Find out more