Power from Animal Wastes System Gasifier

Animal wastes are an environmental problem, particularly in feed lot areas where animals are concentrated. If the wastes could be upgraded to a fuel by gasification and then burned in efficient small-scale engines, high-value electric power and process heat could be produced, while mitigating environmental problems. The proposed small-scale power generation concept uses innovative methods to pretreat and gasify the animal waste and then burn the fuel gas, so that reliable and low-cost electric power can be generated using existing engines. Most importantly, preliminary analysis shows that the concept will be competitive in geographical areas of interest. In the Phase I project, a concept design will be refined to address those opportunities. In addition, available test equipment will be updated and utilized to show the feasibility of the novel gasifies and combustor. Test results then will be used to update the concept design and, with the support of manufacturers, an economic analysis will be performed that will show the feasibility of the concept. The concept will be used to generate electric power from animal wastes, primarily in remote areas of the United States, and abroad. Over 25 million tons of animal wastes will be used beneficially, thereby reducing surface and groundwater environmental damage. Also, the use of renewable waste as a fuel will reduce CO2 greenhouse gas emissions by over 26 million tons. These are substantial benefits, which will be accomplished at a competitive cost and with low air emissions. Considering the value of both the electricity and process heat generated, implementing this concept will benefit farmers, to the level of $1.36 billion per year. In addition to these dairy waste benefits, the concept also could be adapted to other animal and agricultural wastes. This would multiply the beneficial dairy waste impacts, noted above, by a substantial factor of 14.