The performance of a novel source segregation method for pig excreta (a V-shaped
conveyor belt underneath the slatted pen floor) was compared to conventional separation
methods for pig slurry (screw press, centrifugation, flocculation with/without centrifugation).
For the source segregation system, a larger amount of organic matter accumulated in
the solid fraction (96%) than for conventional separation systems (34e93%). Also the dry
matter content, nutrient content (total N and P), and methane production of this solid was
higher than for the other systems. Furthermore the volumetric methane yield was much
higher than for the solid fraction from the other separation systems (1.6 vs 0.8e1.0 m3
[CH4]$m3 [reactor]$day1 for a CSTR). Due to the high methane yield, digestion of the solid
from source segregation is expected to require a considerable smaller reactor than for
slurry digestion, which would increase the economic feasibility of mono-digestion systems
for animal manure.