As previously noted, co-digestion of animal manure slurry can yield biogas, which then can be used for co-generation. Such an approach to bio-energy ranks very favorably in terms of overall environmental impact; it is in the middle of the pack in terms of cost, efficiency, import dependency, fuel price sensitivity and proved reserves.
In commentary about developments in material science that may lead to an improved means of storing methane, Engineer-Poet observed that it would make far more sense to use biogas for co-generation than as an alternative transportation fuel. He specifically refers to “something like Climate Energy co-generating furnaces.”
This blog previously had reported upon running DFCs (Direct Fuel Cells) on methane. Engineer-Poet also proposed combining renewable energy resources. For instance, with conditioning of the biogas and ability to store the resulting bio-methane, something like wind or solar thermal could be a more reliable source of clean electric power.
A major benefit is to reduce costly natural gas consumption. Unfortunately, warnings about peak natural gas go mostly unheeded. The only place where some shift may be occurring is CAFOs (Confined Animal Feed Operations). Perhaps, we shall see more investment in such anaerobic digestion as natural gas prices rise further.
Bio-gas, a.k.a., renewable natural gas, is a versatile energy source. Anaerobic digestion is a way to process manure that can reduce odor and water quality issues.
The Biopact team reported a first in the U.S. Upgraded biogas fed into the European natural gas grid already is routine, although in the past year it has been growing in scale.
Bioenergy company Environmental Power Corporation today announced that its Huckabay Ridge facility in Stephenville, Texas, has achieved full-capacity production levels of pipeline-quality biomethane and has now moved into full-scale commercial operation.
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Huckabay Ridge is expected to produce approximately 635,000 MMBtus (625,000Gj) of RNG per year – the equivalent of over 4.6 million gallons (17.4 million liters) of heating oil.
The Huckabay Ridge biogas complex [*.pdf] consists of eight anaerobic digesters that extract methane-rich biogas from waste to produce energy that is cost-effective, clean, reliable and domestic — and it also helps farms and businesses responsibly manage the wastes they generate.
An unanswered question is whether the digestate is a sufficient soil enhancement to replace use of the manure as fertilizer?
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[...] obtain bio-methane from anaerobic fermentation could become a suitable alternative. And, this blog recently relayed a report on the Huckabay Ridge facility in Stephenville, Texas. which is a first in the U.S., although [...]
[...] noted establishment of biogas recovery, refining, transportation and supply systems in Japan. Also noted in the United States was co-digestion to produce biogas, followed by conditioning and storage of [...]
[...] Environmental Power Corporation [...]