Commercial Opportunity Analysis of an Integrated Animal Waste-to-Energy System for On-Farm Operation

The opportunity for commercialization of an integrated biomass to energy production unit, designed and scaled for on-farm operation, is created by the intersection of two critical drivers - the increasing need for improved, cost effective manure management systems for dairy, livestock and poultry production facilities and growing interest in alternative and renewable energy. One of the biggest challenges that livestock and dairy producers face is managing manure and process water in a way that controls odor and protects environmental quality. Economical manure management systems that are environmentally responsible and produce value-added products are needed. This process will not only help avoid energy and disposal cost, but will also create a new source of farm income, reduce nutrient emissions to the environment, and destroy pathogens and pharmaceuticals in processed manure. The proposed research will enable development of flexible process modules that can be optimized for individual farm feedstock and energy needs, allowing both economies of scale as well as customization on a farm by farm basis. Extension to livestock and poultry operations will be addressed in Phase II. It will also provide the information required for application and market development of valuable products from char.