Poultry manure presents a significant waste management challenge for large scale poultry farms. Untreated, improperly disposed of poultry manure is a major contributor to water and soil contamination and greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Effective valorisation of poultry manure offers an environmentally sustainable alternative – turning this nutrient rich waste product into a valuable commercial commodity for farmers, including as a renewable energy source.

In partnership with Animal Care Nigeria, Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa launched an Open Innovation Challenge looking for innovative ways to transform poultry manure into a commercial output that could be deployed by Animal Care and other farmers. The challenge focused on developing a solution that could be deployed on-site using safe, affordable and sustainable practices.

Following a competitive process, Lumos Labs Nigeria was selected to pilot a biodigester that turns raw poultry manure into biogas. Lumos Labs’ waste-to-energy system increases energy security for poultry farms through the production of renewable, sustainable energy on-site. The valorisation process also produces treated organic fertiliser suitable for commercial sale as a by-product of the biogas production.

Turning manure into biogas

Lumos Labs was motivated to take part in this challenge by the opportunity to work with UK funding and partners to solve a problem for the Nigerian economy.

Animal Care, as a commercial poultry farm, produces around 25 tonnes of poultry manure every day. This manure is currently bagged and sold to local farmers as a low-cost fertiliser. With £25,000 seed funding to support the development of an innovative solution, Lumos Labs constructed a pilot biodigester on-site at the Animal Care poultry farm in Lagos. This biodigester has the potential of converting 200kg of raw poultry manure into 62.5kWh of electricity per day, providing a clean, secure and renewable source of energy for the Animal Care farm.

The pilot project delivered by Lumos Labs included construction, testing and refinement of the biodigester and plant house on-site at the Animal Care poultry farm, alongside training for selected Animal Care staff in the operation and maintenance of the machinery. To further optimise energy efficiency, a solar power system was installed to provide a stable energy source for the biodigester and plant house.

One of the biggest challenges in valorising poultry manure is the high nitrogen content and rapid ammonia release. Traditional biodigesters typically require blending raw poultry manure with other organic materials to stabilise the waste before conversion. Here, the process involves feeding the biodigester with poultry manure mixed with the right amount of water. Once the biogas is produced, it is collected through a purification system and then put into a generator. The purified biogas is captured and compressed to generate electricity. The biodigester thus successfully converts unblended raw poultry manure into biogas using anaerobic digestion. This process optimises efficiency, as well as removing the risk of contamination associated with bringing additional organic materials on-site.

The valorisation process also produces treated organic fertiliser as a by-product of biogas production. In this case, the fertiliser is a liquid organic fertiliser known as digestate. It is stored in an underground containment, making accurate daily volume measurement impractical as part of this pilot project. However, a considerable portion of the digested material becomes this nutrient-rich liquid fertiliser.

The organic fertiliser is rich in essential nutrients like Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K), making it a rich organic fertiliser. The fertiliser offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilisers, improving soil structure and fertility over time.

Ejikeme Patrick Nwosu, CEO/MD, Lumos Laboratories Nigeria

As part of the pilot project, selected Animal Care staff received training in the operation and maintenance of the machinery. The training covered how to operate the plant, including feeding in the manure mixed with water, collecting the produced gas through the purification system, and using the generator. On the day of the commissioning, the Animal Care team conducted the entire operation, having been trained by Lumos Labs. The training was conducted as on-the-job training during the later stages of the construction and lasted about two to three weeks. Animal Care staff received certificates of participation for the training. The project was successfully completed/handed over in Q4 FY24/25.

Project Impact

The waste-to-energy system has positive environmental and economic impact. By preventing the methane emissions emitted by untreated waste, the system cuts an estimated 11.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, which can be monetised annually as carbon credits. Moreover, the pilot model has the potential to be scaled up. Animal Care are currently exploring the potential to scale up biogas production, utilising a greater percentage of available waste to generate increased environmental and economic benefits. The system also improves waste management, reducing environmental pollution risks and operational costs associated with waste disposal. There has been an observed 10% reduction in untreated waste discharge since processing began with the biogas system.

Although we haven’t done a full scientific measurement yet, the system clearly reduces the environmental burden and waste handling pressure on the facility. For Animal Care, this is an important move towards better waste management and environmental responsibility.

Ejikeme Patrick Nwosu, CEO/MD, Lumos Laboratories Nigeria

Economically, the project increases energy security for poultry farms through the production of renewable, sustainable energy on-site. The biogas generated is used to power low-power operations like lighting within the facility. This renewable energy generated enhances operational efficiency by providing biogas for electricity generation within the farm premises, improving productivity and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. The valorisation process also produces treated organic fertiliser suitable for commercial sale. The management of Animal Care was reported to be very happy with the project results. The project has contributed to energy generation, cost savings, and carbon credit accumulation.

Next steps

The system developed by Lumos Labs is replicable and scalable to other poultry farms, regionally and globally. It offers a cost-effective alternative to manure disposal. Animal Care is currently exploring the potential to scale up biogas production, aiming to utilise a greater percentage of their available waste (the current capacity handles 10% of the daily waste stream) to generate increased environmental and economic benefits and potentially power the entire site in the future. Lumos Labs is hopeful about continuing to work with Animal Care.

The project has not only reduced operational costs and improved waste management practices at Animal Care Nigeria Limited but also contributed to environmental sustainability. With positive outcomes in energy generation, cost savings, and carbon credit accumulation, this project sets a benchmark for future waste-to-energy projects.

Ejikeme Patrick Nwosu, CEO/MD, Lumos Laboratories Nigeria

The technology’s application is broad; it can be applied anywhere in the world where waste is generated. This includes homes and agricultural settlements. The same technology can also be used to turn cow dung and other biodegradable waste into a clean, renewable energy source.

Lumos Labs plans to follow up on the project delivery to ensure it is functioning optimally. They intend to continue to visit Animal Care farm and potentially use it as a case a study for similar project delivery.

About Global Alliance Africa

Launched in 2019, Innovate UK Global Alliance Africa is an UK International Development initiative, funded by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

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