Summary
This narrative review examines pyrolysis as a thermochemical treatment alternative to conventional manure management (composting, anaerobic digestion) in intensive livestock regions. The authors document that manure pyrolysis reduces PTE bioavailability, eliminates pathogens and micropollutants, and lowers greenhouse gas emissions, but highlight critical knowledge gaps in nutrient mass balances and crop productivity outcomes that limit agronomic recommendations. Pretreatment strategies such as ammonia stripping and liquid–solid separation are identified as means to minimise nitrogen losses inherent to the pyrolysis process.
UK applicability
Given the United Kingdom's intensive livestock hotspots and increasingly stringent manure application restrictions, manure pyrolysis technology could address regulatory pressures and contamination risks. However, UK-specific field trials comparing manure and manure biochar fertility effects, alongside economic feasibility analysis under UK conditions, are needed to inform adoption by farmers and policymakers.
Key measures
Bioavailability of potentially toxic elements (PTEs); pathogenic microorganism elimination; organic micropollutant degradation; greenhouse gas emissions reduction; nitrogen losses during pyrolysis; crop yield and fertilisation efficiency
Outcomes reported
The review evaluated pyrolysis as a treatment method for animal manure, assessing its effects on potentially toxic element bioavailability, pathogenic microorganism elimination, organic micropollutant reduction, greenhouse gas emissions, and nitrogen losses. It identified knowledge gaps regarding nutrient mass balances and crop yield effects when comparing manure and manure biochar applications.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.