Guidance and Operation of Short Hydraulic Retention Time Systems

To evaluate the technical feasibility of industry adoption of short hydraulic retention time (SHRT) effluent management as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

SHRT is a method of effluent management whereby effluent is stored for less than 30 days (usually in an engineered tank) and then irrigated out more frequently than traditional systems where effluent is held in ponds for often 100 days or more. The main advantage of SHRT systems when compared to methane capture and destruction systems such as covered anerobic lagoons are the lower construction and operation costs.

Value for producers

• Higher percentages of effluent can be used in areas with higher mean temperatures and lower rainfall, due to the frequent demand of effluent application by the crop.
• An easy to understand guide to the technology has been created to facilitate producer consideration
• Greenhouse gas abatement of SHRT systems is high when compared to traditional uncovered anerobic ponds, with potential odour benefits. If 80% of effluent is managed with a SHRT system then approximately 50% of its emissions can be abated.
• The system requires very careful management and extra land for irrigation so it is not suitable for all sites.