Frequently Asked Questions About the
Groundhog Mechanical Slurry Separator
Questions:
-
What is the capacity of the Slurry Separator machine?
- Do we need to mix?
- Do we need to dilute the slurry?
- What about bedding?
- If solids are stored outside, will they turn back to slurry?
- What about pre-screening?
- How dry are the solids?
- What quantity of solids are produced from cattle slurry?
- Is the fertiliser in the liquid or the solid?
- Where do I site the separator?
- At what height should the separator be installed?
- Do separated liquids smell?
- Do liquids need agitation in the store?
- Can the system be automated?
- How long has the machine been in existence?
- What happens in frosty weather?
- What size of pumps do we use?
- Why a Groundhog separator?
Q. What is the capacity of the Slurry Separator machine?
Model 600 Slurry Separator
| On cattle slurry (6% DM) | 2000 G/Hr (9m3/hr) |
| On very Dilute Cattle Slurry | 5000 G/Hr (22m3/hr) |
| On pig slurry (5% DM) | 5800 G/Hr (17.2 m3/hr) |
Model 1200 Slurry Separator
| On cattle slurry (6% DM) | 5000 G/Hr (22.5m3/hr) |
| On very Dilute Cattle Slurry | 10000 G/Hr (45m3/hr) |
| On pig slurry (5% DM) | 7600 G/Hr (34.5 m3/hr) |
Q. Do we need to mix?
Mixing/homogenising the slurry prior to separation is recommended. This is usually done in the reception pit by mechanical mixing.
Q. Do we need to dilute the slurry?
To achieve efficient separation and dry (approx 20% DM) solids slurry should be processed at approximately 6% DM. Undiluted slurry is usually approximately 13% DM, but this may vary with weather and feeding regimes. Separated liquid and/or parlour washings are usually used to achieve this.
Q. What about bedding?
Straw bedding is better chopped prior to use, it is usually cheaper than to try and chop it in the slurry, less straw will be required, stock will be cleaner and slats and pumps will not block. Sawdust should not contain sanding dust as sand will cause sediment build up in the liquid store.
Q. If solids are stored outside, will they turn back to slurry?
No, as the solids are bedding and waste fibre from the animals stomach.
Q. What about pre-screening?
We recommend the use of slats or grids to keep out large debris. The maximum aperture width should be approximately 60mm.
Q. How dry are the solids?
Separated fibre in cattle slurry: 18-22% DM Separated fibre in pig slurry: 18-22% DM Pig slurry can be drier than cow slurry. Solids stack well and compost readily.
Q. What quantity of solids are produced from cattle slurry?
Slurry from 100 cows produces about 1.3 metres of fresh solids per day.
Q. Is the fertiliser in the liquid or the solid?
The fertiliser is usually in the same proportions as liquid and solids with similar analysis for both.
Q. Where do I site the Slurry Separator?
The Slurry Separator should be sited adjacent to the reception pit.
Q. At what height should the Slurry separator be installed?
Pollution Control's standard gantry and safety platforms are supplied upto 6 metres high, if the Slurry Separator machine is to be installed next to an above ground store then the machine needs to be high enough to discharge into the store. If the liquid store is at or below ground level then the height needed to allow the solids pile up before having to move it.
Q. Do separated liquids smell?
Yes, but as the liquid enters the ground more readily than mixed slurry, the smell is much reduced in the field. As the solids are removed and it is the rotting of the solid that causes smell, then over long storage periods separated liquid could be said to reduce smell to about half.
Q. Do liquids need agitation in the store?
No, apart from a little sediment, there is no fibre to form crusts and the sediment can easily be removed if the store is fully emptied each year.
Q. Can the system be automated?
Yes, a fully integrated control panel can be supplied with auto control for separator, pitmixer and feed pump c/w float switches and 24 hour timer.
Q. How long has the Slurry Separator machine been in existence?
The design is based on the well proven National Institute of Agriculture Engineering roller press principle. We have been manufacturing them since 1976.
Q. What happens in frosty weather?
If the integrated control panel is used, an overrun facility to clean the screens is used. All connection pipes need to be installed to free drain. In excessive exposed installations some additional protection may be sensible.
Q. What size of pumps do we use?
In order to avoid blockages with cattle slurry, a 100mm pump is recommended with approximate 5.5Kw raring. With pig slurry this can be reduced to 75mm with an approximate rating of 4.0Kw. These guidelines may vary dependant on head etc.
Q. Why a Groundhog Slurry Separator?
Pollution Control have been manufacturers of slurry handling equipment for over 20 years, originally for Farrow / Wright Rain and the BKW brand. We developed the whole concept of the umbilical systems of slurry recycling, winning the 'Pollution Abatement Technology' award in 1985 for continuous sub-soil injection techniques from the Department of the Environment.
The Groundhog Slurry Separator is a well proven robust machine that has also been adapted by us for other industrial applications. The lifetime cost is appreciably lower than our competitors due to the simplicity of the design.
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