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Power for Animal Wastes System Gasifier

EPA Contract Number: EPD06028
Title: Power for Animal Wastes System Gasifier
Investigators: Kelly, John T.
Small Business: Altex Technologies Corporation
EPA Contact: Manager, SBIR Program
Phase: I
Project Period: March 1, 2006 through August 31, 2006
Project Amount: $69,684
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase I (2005)
Research Category: SBIR - Waste Gasification , Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

Description:

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.

Supplemental Keywords:

small business, SBIR, animal waste, dairy operations, renewable energy production, sustainability, power generation, animal waste gasifier, waste reuse, greenhouse gas emissions, surface water, groundwater, EPA, , Sustainable Industry/Business, Scientific Discipline, RFA, POLLUTION PREVENTION, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Environment, Energy, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, waste gasification, energy conservation, biowaste, agriculture, agricultural byproducts, alternative energy source, renewable energy, alternative fuel, animal waste gasifier, waste to fuel conversion, bio-based energy

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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