Hi Dave, Re; VICI, etc.
Anaerobic digestion of animal and other biological wastes (..depending on the design and capabilities of the digester system..) is probably one of the most practical means of producing dependable Green Energy that there is. The resulting methane-rich biogas can replace pipeline natural gas as a fuel source for boilers, furnaces, dryers, or engine-generator (preferably gas-turbine) units.
When animal wastes are the primary AD system input source, ammonia from the urine ends up in the effluent and/or solids from the AD plant. The EPA, USDA, and state DNR folks have new rules regarding how much nitrogen, and now phosphorus, can be ground-applied, based on the N-P-K content of the soils in the area. This generally means that a CAFO operator (..dairyman, beef or hog farrower/feeder, poultry or egg grower, etc..) needs more land to dispose of manure-based wastes, or must limit/reduce the size of his herd, flock, etc.
Most AD units separate the soilds from the discharged digestate to provide (1) soil amendment/fertilizer and (2) irrigation water for nearby feed crops. Reducing the amount of nitrates in the irrigation water would permit spraying or plowing it into a smaller area. Chemistry is not my long suit, but if Envirolizer Z will react with or catylize the ammonia into non-nitrate results - it could work.
From VICI's Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS):
I. PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION
Trade Name: Envirolizer Z
Chemical Name: Hydrated sodium aluminosilicate mineral
Synonyms: Zeolite, clinoptilolite
"..Zeolite.." is a filter material used in industrial (non-potable) water treatment systems. I'd need some homework time, but it appears that VICI has simply found a way to relabel and remarket a known material in a different market.
It could very well be a flash-in-the-pan, just the way that :..Roach Pruff.." = Borax = Hydrated Sodium Borate used for killing roaches in an apartment, etc. "..Same crap - different box.." and the price equates directly to the pump and/or advertising effort.
John :-)
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