10137104Optimising the plasma treatment of slurryActiveGrant for R&DInnovate UKN2 Applied's Manure Enricher (manufactured by GEA as ProManure E2950) is an innovative means of both stabilising and adding to the nitrogen content of animal slurries. The system nearly doubles the total nitrogen content of slurry and slashes ammonia volatilisation from store and spreading, preserving fertiliser value and reducing point and diffuse pollution. The process effectively sterilises slurry, significantly reducing biogenic methane and nitrous oxide emissions, key agricultural greenhouse gasses, with the processed slurry referred to as NEO (Nitrogen-Enriched Organic) fertiliser. N2 Applied have been active in the UK for over ten years but have struggled to gain significant traction, with one of the main reasons being the cost of operation. SRUC's existing ProManure E2950 will be modified to optimise energy consumed vs NEO fertiliser value. SRUC will carry out plot trials on the farm's grassland to ascertain the growth response of grass and wholecrop-cereal to NEO and will investigate the GHG emission impact when NEO is spread to ground vs conventional slurry and urea applications. UK Agri-Tech Centre will project manage, assist with dissemination and carry out lifecycle assessment of the new optimised enrichment system alongside economic modelling.