Anaerobic Digestion
Photo: Quasar energy group
Biogas recovery systems are sometimes known as anaerobic digesters, because they use a process called anaerobic digestion. (Conventional lagoons operate on the same biological principle.) During anaerobic digestion, bacteria break down manure in an oxygen-free environment. One of the natural products of anaerobic digestion is biogas, which typically contains between 60 to 70 percent methane, 30 to 40 percent carbon dioxide, and trace amounts of other gases. Explore this section to learn more about anaerobic digestion systems.
- AD 101 provides more information about how anaerobic digestion and biogas recovery systems work.
- Frequent Questions contain those questions that are most commonly submitted to AgSTAR and their answers.
- Fact Sheets provide general information about incorporating anaerobic digestion into manure management systems.
- Digester Evaluations, commissioned by AgSTAR, characterize the environmental and financial improvements provided by anaerobic digestion systems.