MSU develops technology to produce water from manure

Michigan State University (MSU) is developing the McLanahan Nutrient Separation System, new technology that can produce clean water from anaerobic digesters on commercial farms.

When coupled with ultrafiltration, air stripping and reverse osmosis, the new technology produces clean water that can be given to livestock.

It currently has the ability to produce around 50gal of water from 100gal of manure. Plans are underway to develop the system to produce around 65gal of water.

Michigan State University biosystems and agricultural engineering associate professor Steve Safferman said that 1,000 cows will produce around 10 million gallons of manure a year.

"About 90 percent of the manure is water, but it contains large amounts of nutrients, carbon and pathogens that can have an environmental impact if not properly managed," Safferman added.

"But out west, for example, where drought remains an issue, the accessibility of clean water could make the difference between a farm remaining viable or going out of business."

The system is expected to be commercialised by the end of the year.

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Image: Former MSU Ph.D. student Jim Wallace and faculty member Steve Safferman are part of a team that has developed technology designed to turn manure into useable water. Photo: courtesy of G.L. Kohuth.