The agronomic and environmental potential of nitrogen enriched organic substrate

N2 Applied har utviklet en ny behandlingsmetode for organiske substrater som er egnet til gjødselbruk. Metoden bruker luft og elektrisitet til å generere en plasma. Når luftens nitrogen passerer gjennom plasmaen vil en andel bli reaktivt. Det reaktive nitrogenet kan absorberes av det organiske substratet slik at konsentrasjonen av plantetilgjengelig nitrogen øker. I tillegg vil prosessen stabilisere nitrogenet slik at tap ammoniakk stoppes. Metanutslipp stoppes også. Prosessen vil derfor øke gjødselverdien til substratet, redusere luftforurensing gjennom reduserte ammoniakkutslipp og redusere klimagassutslipp ved å stoppe metanproduksjon fra gjødsellager og erstatte fossilbasert kunstgjødsel. Fordi dette er en ny gjødseltype med betydelige ringvirkninger er det viktig at effektene - nitrogen- og karbontransformasjoner nitrogenanriket organisk substrat, kartlegges i et doktorgradsarbeid. Gradsarbeidet har i tillegg sett på anvendelser av plasmabasert nitrogenfiksering i bredere forstand: hvordan teknologien er tilpasset fremtidens energisystemer, hvordan dens antimikrobielle effekter kan utnyttes og hvordan teknologien kan brukes i produksjon av mineralgjødsel.

The industrial PhD project proved to be an excellent and valuable continuation of the collaboration between N2 Applied and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. The project enabled a number of important experiments on nitrogen transformations in nitrogen enriched organic fertiliser and how these transformations impact fertiliser efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. Summarising the work in scientific papers has ensured a rigorous evaluation of the results, and the quality dissemination they enable are valuable both for the candidate and the company. Given the novelty of the technology, the work is anticipated to catalyse more research in the field. Since the industrial PhD candidate continues their employment in the company, the scientific/academic experience will make it easier to follow the new research in the field and make it useful for the company. In sum, the industrial PhD project has resulted in: 1. Four scientific manuscripts. 2. 30 ECTS in biogeochemistry, statistics and ethics 3. Improved research competence in N2 Applied 4. Ideas for continued collaboration between NMBU and N2 Applied The PhD defence was not conducted within the project period. The expected date of completion is March 2025. The main reason for the extension is a delay in the completion of the final manuscript.

N2 Applied has developed a technology that improves the fertilizer value of organic substrates. In short, the technology uses electricity and air to enrich organic substrates with nitrogen while simultaneously reducing nitrogen losses. The novelty of the technology calls for research both to document its effects and to promote its application. The agronomic performance of the resulting nitrogen enriched organic substrate (NEO) is an important part of the research. Three separate categories encompass NEO’s agronomic performance: 1. Storage stability 2. Fertilizer efficiency 3. Impact on greenhouse gas emissions To make NEO a commercially successful and environmentally viable approach, nitrogen losses must be kept low during storage, and once applied, the fertilizer efficiency should equal that of mineral fertilizer. In addition, the treatment should reduce the aggregated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with fertilizer use. N2 Applied has already conducted a series of trials investigating some of NEO’s properties during storage and as a fertilizer, with encouraging results. But to further advance NEO, a more rigorous scientific approach is needed. Hence this proposal for a PhD project.