Hurst Boiler, Coolidge, Ga., designed and engineered reportedly the first boiler system in the United States to be fueled by poultry litter. The 1,600-hp cogeneration facility is scheduled to be commissioned mid-year at Prestage AgEnergy’s operations in Clinton, N.C.

“While we have been carefully evaluating the potential to use litter in our boilers in the U.S. market, one of our solid-fuel boilers in Guatemala began running almost three years ago on 100 percent litter simply because it was the most cost-effective and reliable fuel. Since then, two more systems have been installed and are providing steam to poultry facilities using only chicken litter,” says Tommy Hurst of Hurst Boiler.

Litter, while reliable and cost-effective, poses a challenge to boiler systems due to its high ash content and ash characteristics. Hurst’s boiler system, however, takes advantage of the benefits poultry litter offers. For example, it transforms the potential rise of phosphorous regulation into an economic asset.