University of Illinois look at way to recover phosphorus from DDGS

In Illinois, a new study from University of Illinois examines the best way to recover phosphorus as a co-product, which can then potentially be used as fertilizer for corn and soybean production.

The researchers were able to recover 80% to 90% of the phosphorus through a simple process of increasing the alkalinity of thin stillage and adding calcium chloride, followed by stirring the product for five minutes in a continuous stir reactor.

Removing phosphorus also drains protein from the DDGS, but researchers said the study’s recovery process was optimized to ensure that the amounts of protein and phosphorus left in the DDGS were calibrated to meet–but not exceed–requirements for animal feed.

The product that is recovered through this procedure is in the form of a solid precipitate or paste, which contains about 60 to 70% water. It can be dried and eventually used as fertilizer, though the study does not address that process. It is currently being tested by scientists in the U of I Department of Crop Sciences.