| Pilot demonstration of a modular bioprocess system for manufacturing consumer bioplastic products from food wastes | 1029716 | Wang, Zhiwu | 01/01/2023 | 12/31/2025 | ACTIVE | Blacksburg | Bioplastics; anaerobic digestion; food waste | Most commercial plastics used nowadays are petroleum-based. More than 67% of end-of-life plastics end up in landfills while another eight million tons annually make their way into the ocean where they are not degradable and only accumulate. In the past three pandemic years, the global consumption of the single-use plastics for keeping hygiene have created significant societal and environmental concerns. There is an urgent need for developing biodegradable plastics from renewable sources. The use of plastics is closely linked to another important environmental issue, namely food waste. Nearly 40% of food produced is dumped in landfills, accounting for the single largest component of U.S. municipal solid waste, resulting in not only greenhouse gas emissions but also an annual cost of $165 billion in economic loss including the food itself and associated water, energy, and chemicals spent in the food supply chain. The conversion of food waste to "value-added bioplastic materials" that can be biodegraded in environment may offer a unique solution to both environmental issues.This proposed pilot study targets the production of naturally occurring biodegradable polyesters synthesized by many microbes as the basic materials for producing bioplastics capable of being degraded in various environmental conditions including in the ocean. A three-pronged modular bioprocessing system will be experimented in this study to enable a variety of microbial cultures to convert a wide spectrum of food wastes into bioplastics with productivity high enough to outcompete other bioplastic production technologies. The overall goal of this project is to develop and demonstrate a pilot-scale modular bioprocessing system to produce bioplastics from food wastewith cost competency. This will be the first effort to create a modular bioplastic fermentation system tailored for accommodating the food waste with high property variability. The outcome of this three-year project will be a process that delivers marketable bioplastic products made from food wastes. This circular diversion of food waste for bio-based plastic production holds promise to reduce landfill quantity and waste management cost, offset petroleum-based plastic production and pollution, minimize greenhouse gas emission, and bring environmental justice to disadvantaged communities. This pilot study will be performed in a modular system at the 100 literscale with each component individually optimizable to provide outputs contributing to the best overall economic and environmental results. An interdisciplinary team is assembled from three land-grant universities and a private enterprise to provide all the technological and marketing components required for the success of this advanced modular system. An industrial advisory board consisting of stakeholders and beneficiaries of the technology will also be formed to ensure delivery of the technology with good application relevance. | The overall goal of this project is to develop and demonstrate a pilot-scale modular bioprocessing system to produce bioplastics from food wastes with cost competency. The supporting objectives and plans to accomplish this project goal include: (1) Food waste inventory check and characterization; (2) Modular design of the pilot scale system; (3) Pilot-scale demonstration of VFA production; (4) Pilot-scale PHA fermentation; (5) PHA extraction and purification; (6) Biomanufacturing and characterization of PHA-derived plastics; and (7) Iterative TEA and LCA to improve and judge the success of this project. |
| Thermal Regulation with Salt Hydrates for Biodigester Isothermality | 1025901 | Charles, Josh | 07/01/2021 | 07/31/2022 | COMPLETE | Lancaster | Anaerobic Digestion, Phase Change Material, Small Farms, Intermittent Heat Source, Isothermality | To solve the digester thermal control problem, Advanced Cooling Technologies (ACT) is developing an energy storage material that can be wrapped around a digester. This material will absorb thermal energy from the sun during the day and release it to the digestate at night. The energy storage materials are very inexpensive but there are some challenges related to their long-term use. Fortunately, the project team has successfully solved these issues during past projects. Laboratory testing will be used to demonstrate the life of the developed materials followed by testing on a small biodigester for several months. By the end of the project, ACT hopes to demonstrate a low-cost, small-scale, biodigester which will allow many more small farms to take advantage of this renewable energy source. This will accelerate the transition to renewable energy sources, helping to minimize the ecological damage created by our current energy generation mix.? | The goal of this Phase 1 project is to increase the biogas production potential of small-scale anaerobic digesters (AD) without significant increases in system cost and/or complexity. If successful, this technology has the potential to make AD technology economically viable for small farms, increasing utilization of this renewable energy source. The technical goal of this project is to develop and successfully test a working small-scale anaerobic digester (AD) with passive thermal control across multiple seasons - especially the winter. AD bacteria require a stable, relatively warm digestate temperature to maximize their biogas generation rate. This is a challenge in small ADs where rapid ambient temperature changes and cold wintertime temperatures can easily deactivate the efficacy of the bacteria. This project will fix this problem by adding a low-cost phase change material (PCM) around the AD, which will act as a thermal buffer to rapid temperature changes. The PCM also serves as a thermal energy store that can absorb solar thermal energy during the day and release it into the AD throughout the night, forming a passive solar heating system that can maintain the digestate temperature throughout the winter. The development and performance demonstration of this passively heated and temperature-controlled AD is the primary goal of the project.The following objectives present a pathway to achieving the Phase 1 goal:Selection and thermal reliability testing of a hydrated salt PCM. A PCM that demonstrates a pathway to 25+ year performance through accelerated freeze/thaw tests is targeted. The PCM has a material cost target of ~$0.1/kg.Model, design, and fabricate a sub-scale proof-of-concept AD utilizing the selected PCM for passive thermal control. A system design that can be easily fabricated from inexpensive and widely available components is targeted.Successfully test the sub-scale AD with PCM thermal control and simulated solar heating over several months during the coldest seasons of the year. A daily digestate temperature variation of no more than ±2°C is targeted during passive solar heating of the digestor with integrated PCM thermal storage.Prepare an economic assessment of the proposed AD with passive solar heating and PCM thermal control. If a pathway towards the LCOG goal of $0.30/m3 is not realized in the Phase I prototype system, variations to the current design will be proposed for additional cost reductions to be examined experimentally during Phase II. |
| A closed-loop dairy system by an integrated anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis process for food-energy-water nexus | 1018814 | Kan, Eun Sung | 04/05/2019 | 04/05/2024 | COMPLETE | COLLEGE STATION | agricultural wastes, anaerobic digestion, biochar, dairy farm, pyrolysis, activated biochar, functionalized biochar | Dairy farms, like other animal farms, have multiple threats against sustainable operation such as significant pollution in water, air and soil, food safety, water shortage and energy supply. Current management of dairy manure such as land application often causes significant water, air and soil pollution. High levels of nutrients and various antibiotics released into environment lead to algal blooms, eutrophication, nitrate accumulation and increase of antibiotic resistant bacteria. Land application of manure also drastically contributes to emission of odor and greenhouse gases from manure while causing soil acidity/infertility, which would decrease agricultural productivity. Composting can produce biofertilizers via microbial actions using dairy manure; however, it also causes drastic loss of ammonia and development of odors during the composting process. Anaerobic digestion has been suggested to resolve manure disposal, energy recovery and greenhouse gas control. Despite several advantages, it was found that anaerobic digestion suffered fluctuating performance, difficult operation, low yield of biogas, and the need to dispose of undigested sludge after digestion. Recently thermal disposal of manure such as pyrolysis and gasification has been studied to convert manure to bio-oil, syngas and biochar. However, thermal disposal of manure has revealed high energy consumption with high moisture of wet manure and low yields of energy (bio-oil and syngas).Proposed concept: A closed-loop dairy system by an integrated anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis processTo improve current anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis, an integrated pyrolysis and biochar process has been suggested to be a highly promising option for manure and wastewater treatment at dairy farms. However, so far there have been few systematic approaches to develop the pyrolysis-biochar process for dairy manure disposal, wastewater treatment, nutrient recovery and soil amendment. In this project I will address these critical issues with systematic investigation of an integrated anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis to overcome dairy farm-associated sustainable problems. The proposed dairy system combines anaerobic digestion (AD) and pyrolysis (PY) for intensifying food-energy-water at dairies. Flushed manure goes to an anaerobic digester as a bioreactor, where manure is converted to biogas, liquid and solid digestates. A PY unit integrated with AD convert mixture of AD digestate and waste hays to biochar and syngas. Syngas from PY and biogas from AD are fed to a combined heat and power generator (CHP) to make energy for supporting AD and PY. The total amount of electricity and heat generation from CHP is used to support energy consumption of pyrolysis and anaerobic digestion. The excessive electricity can be sold to bring an extra revenue. Biochars are added to AD for enhancing biogas production, process stability and manure disposal. Biochar are also amended with soil for increasing productivity of crops, vegetables, and forage grasses as well as soil fertility. The crops and forage grasses are recycled to feeding cows, while organic vegetables are sold for additional profits. Some biochar is made into activated carbon via steam activation process, which removes emerging contaminants such as antibiotics from AD liquid digestate. Some proportion of treated liquid digestate is irrigated to crops, vegetables and forage grasses while the rest is recycled for flushing manure. Excessive activated carbon can be also sold as water filtering media for additional profits. Therefore, the integrated AD and PY can overcome current limitations of AD and PY including treatment of enormous amounts of AD digestate, high energy consumption and decontamination of AD liquid digestate. | The overall goal of this project is to enhance agricultural and environmental sustainability at dairy systems by an integrated anaerobic digestion and pyrolysis process.The specific objectives to achieve the goal of this project include:Objective 1: Develop a novel pyrolysis for production of energy, biochar, and activated biochar from anaerobic solid digestate of dairy manure mixed with waste hays at dairy systems.Objective 2: Develop an enhanced anaerobic digestion of dairy wastes with addition of biochar for increasing energy-water-food production.Objective 3: Develop treatment and reuse of anaerobic liquid digestate by biochar-derived activated carbon. |
| Improving the Sustainability and Quality of Food and Dairy Products from Manufacturing to Consumption via Process Modeling and Edible Packaging | 0438139 | TOMASULA M M | 04/13/2020 | 11/30/2021 | COMPLETE | WYNDMOOR | MILK, CASEIN, DAIRY, ECONOMICS, CLIMATE, CHANGE, WASTE, STREAMS, ENERGY, USE, ELECTROSPINNING, MICRON, SCALE, CHEESE, WHEY, QUALITY, GREENHOUSE, GASES, WATER, RECOVERY, SIMULATION, MODEL, EDIBLE, FILMS, AND, COATING, NANOTECHNOLOGY, SHELF, LIFE | Not applicable | 1: Integrate new processes into the Fluid Milk Process Model (FMPM) to determine the effects of reductions in energy use, water use or waste on commercial dairy plant economics and greenhouse gas emissions. 1a: Develop benchmark simulations for configurations of stirred, set and strained curd yogurt processing plants in the U.S. that quantify energy use, economics, and greenhouse gas emissions, validated using data from industry. 1b: Use process simulation for evaluation of possible alternatives of whey utilization for the strained curd method of yogurt manufacture. 2: Integrate properties of edible films and coatings from dairy and food processing wastes with formulation strategies to better target commercial food and nonfood applications. 2a: Investigate thermal and mechanical properties of dairy protein-based edible films and coatings in real-life storage and utilization conditions. 2b: Apply new property findings to the investigation of useful and/or sustainable applications utilizing edible milk protein films. 3: Investigate the effects of different film-making technologies to manipulate the physical and functional properties of films and coatings made from agricultural materials. 3a: Investigate the effect of protein conformation on the ability to electrospin caseinates in aqueous solution and in the presence of a polysaccharide. 3b: Investigate the use of fluid milk, nonfat dry milk and milk protein concentrates as a source for production of electrospun fibers. 3c: Investigate the effects of edible and non-edible additives to the electrospun polysaccharide-caseinate fibers in aqueous solution. 4. Investigate techniques for separating components of dairy waste to determine their potential as ingredients. [C1,PS1A] 5. Investigate technologies for large-scale production of the ingredients identified in Objective 4, with products targeted to food applications. [C1, PS1A]. |
| Improvement of Soil Management Practices and Manure Treatment/Handling Systems of the Southern Coastal Plain | 0431207 | SZOGI A A | 07/27/2016 | 07/05/2021 | ACTIVE | FLORENCE | ANIMAL, AMMONIA, NITROGEN, PLANTS, PYROLYSIS, FERTILIZER, WATER, COVER, CROP, REDUCED, TILLAGE, NITRIFICATION, TREATMENT, ANAMMOX, EMISSIONS, SOIL, MANAGEMENT, DISCARDED, SOILS, SUSTAINABLE, PRODUCTION, PHOSPHORUS, REMOVAL, WASTE, SOLIDS, CARBON, GENES, GAS, PAHTOGEN, MANURE, QUALITY, RESIDUE, BIOCHAR, AMENDMENT, NITROUS, OXIDE | Not applicable | 1. Develop and test improved tillage and biomass management practices to enhance soil health and long-term agricultural productivity in the Southeastern Coastal Plain. 2. Develop manure treatment and handling systems that improve soil health and water quality while minimizing the emissions of greenhouse gases, odors and ammonia and the transport of phosphorus and pathogens. Subobjective 2a. Develop improved treatment systems and methods for ammonia and phosphorus recovery from liquid and solid wastes using gas-permeable membrane technology. Subobjective 2b. Develop improved biological treatment systems for liquid effluents and soils based on deammonification reaction using ARS patented bacterial anammox and high performance nitrifying sludge cultures. Subobjective 2c. Improve the ARS patented â¿¿Quick Washâ¿? process for phosphorus recovery. Subobjective 2d. Assess treatment methods for their ability to reduce or eliminate pathogens and cell-free, microbially-derived DNA from agricultural waste streams. Subobjective 2e. Improved manure treatment and handling systems, and management strategies for minimizing emissions. Subobjective 2f. Assess the impact of manure treatment and handling systems on agricultural ecosystem services for soil, water, and air quality conservation and protection. 3. Develop beneficial uses of agricultural, industrial, and municipal byproducts, including manure. Subobjective 3a. Evaluate application of designer biochars to soils to increase crop yields while improving soil health, increasing carbon sequestration, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Subobjective 3b. Develop methods and guidelines to remediate mine soils using designer biochars. Subobjective 3c. Evaluate the agronomic value of byproducts produced from emerging manure and municipal waste treatment technologies. |
| Technologies for Improving Industrial Biorefineries that Produce Marketable Biobased Products | 0427427 | ORTS W J | 10/01/2014 | 09/30/2019 | COMPLETE | ALBANY | BIOPRODUCTS, BIOENERGY, SORGHUM, BIOMASS, POLYHYDROXYALKANOATES, POLYSACCHARIDES, BIOMASS, ENZYMES, FIBERS, COMBINATORIAL, CHEMISTRY, DIRECTED, EVOLUTION, NANOTECHNOLOGY, NANO-ASSEMBLIES, CELLULOSE, PECTIN, DIACIDS, POLYMERS, POLY(HYDROXYBUTYRATE), PHA, BIOFUELS, CITRUS, ALMONDS, EXTRACTION, RENEWABLE, FERMENTATION, BIOREFINERY, FOOD, WASTE, ENZYMES | Not applicable | This project provides technological solutions to the biofuels industry to help the U.S. meet its Congressionally mandated goal of doubling advanced biofuels production within the next decade. The overall goal is to develop optimal strategies for converting agricultural biomass to biofuels and to create value-added products (bioproducts) that improve the economics of biorefining processes. Specific emphasis is to develop strategies for biorefineries located in the Western United States by using regionally-specific feedstocks and crops, including sorghum, almond byproducts, citrus juicing wastes, pomace, municipal solid wastes (MSW), and food processing wastes. These feedstocks will be converted into biofuels, bioenergy and fine chemicals. Objective 1: Develop commercially-viable technologies for converting agriculturally-derived biomass, crop residues, biogas, and underutilized waste streams into marketable chemicals. Research on converting biogas will involve significant collaboration with one or more industrial partners. Sub-objective 1A: Provide data and process models for integrated biorefineries that utilize sorghum and available solid waste to produce ethanol, biogas and commercially-viable coproducts. Sub-objective 1B. Convert biogas from biorefining processes into polyhydroxyalkanoate plastics. Sub-objective 1C: Apply the latest tools in immobilized enzymes, nano-assemblies, to convert biomass to fermentable sugars, formaldehyde, and other fine chemicals. Objective 2: Develop commercially-viable fractionation, separation, de-construction, recovery and conversion technologies that enable the production of marketable products and co-products from the byproducts of large-scale food production and processing. Sub-objective 2A: Add value to almond byproducts. Sub-objective 2B: Apply bioenegineering of bacteria and yeast to produce diacids, ascorbic acid and other value-added products from pectin-rich citrus peel waste. Sub-objective 2C: Convert biomass into commercially-viable designer oligosaccharides using combinatorial enzyme technology. |
| Integration of Site-Specific Crop Production Practices and Industrial and Animal Agricultural Byproducts to Improve Agricultural Competitiveness and Sustainability | 0425032 | JENKINS J N | 10/01/2013 | 09/30/2018 | ACTIVE | MISSISSIPPI STATE | PRECISION, FARMING, GEOGRAPHIC, INFORMATION, SYSTEM, (GIS), REMOTE, SENSING, (RS), WATER, SWINE, ANIMAL, WASTE, AMMONIA, SOIL, NUTRIENTS, PATHOGEN, NITROGEN, LITTER, LEACHING, CROPS, RUNOFF, BACTERIA, BROILER | Not applicable | Obj 1. Develop ecological and sustainable site-specific agriculture systems, for cotton, corn, wheat, and soybean rotations. 1: Geographical coordinates constitutes necessary and sufficient cornerstone required to define, develop and implement ecological/sustainable agricultural systems. 2: Develop methods of variable-rate manure application based on soil organic matter (SOM), apparent electrical conductivity, elevation, or crop yield maps. 3: Relate SOM, electrical conductivity, and elevation. Obj 2. Develop sustainable and scalable practices for site-specific integration of animal agriculture byproducts to improve food, feed, fiber, and feedstock production systems. 1: Quantify effects of management on sustainability for sweet potato. 2: Balance soil phosphorus (P)/micro¿nutrients using broiler litter/flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum. 3: Effects of site-specific broiler litter applications. 4: Manure application/crop management practices in southern U.S. 5: Compare banded/broadcast litter applications in corn. 6: Develop reflectance algorithms for potassium in wheat. 7: Determine swine mortality compost value in small farm vegetable production. Obj 3. Analyze the economics of production practices for site-specific integration of animal agriculture byproducts to identify practices that are economically sustainable, scalable, and that increase competitiveness and profitability of production systems. 1: Evaluate economics of on-farm resource utilization in the south. Obj 4. Determine the environmental effects in soil, water, and air from site-specific integration of animal agricultural and industrial byproducts into production practices to estimate risks and benefits from byproduct nutrients, microbes, and management practices. 1: Quantitatively determine bioaerosol transport. 2: Role of P and nitrogen (N) immobilizing agents in corn production. 3: Assess impact of management on water sources. 4: Impact of FGD gypsum/rainfall on mobilization of organic carbon/veterinary pharmaceutical compounds in runoff/leached water. 5: Assess soil microbial ecology, antibiotic resistance, and pathogen changes using manure and industrial byproducts in crop production systems. 6: Develop nutrient management practices for sustainable crop production. 7: Develop nutrient management practices for reclaimed coal mine soils. 8: Determine effects of poultry litter/swine lagoon effluent in swine mortality composts. 9: Determine survival of fecal bacterial pathogens on contaminated plant tissue. 10: Identify agricultural/industrial byproducts that modify the breakdown of organic matter. Obj 5. Integrate research data into regional and national databases and statistical models to improve competitiveness and sustainability of farming practices. 1: Develop broiler house emission models. 2: Apply quantitative microbial risk assessment models to animal agriculture/anthropogenic activities. Obj 6. Develop statistical approaches to integrate and analyze large and diverse spatial and temporal geo-referenced data sets derived from crop production systems that include ecological and natural resource based inputs. 1: Develop novel methods of imaging processing. |
| Efficient Management and Use of Animal Manure to Protect Human Health and Environmental Quality | 0420394 | SISTANI K R | 10/01/2010 | 09/30/2015 | COMPLETE | BOWLING GREEN | ANIMAL, MANURE, ODOR, NUTRIENT, BYPRODUCT, ATMOSPHERIC, EMISSIONS, KARST, TOPOGRAPHY, PATHOGEN, TREATMENT, TECHNOLOGY, MICROORGANISMS | Not applicable | The overall goal of the research project which is formulated as a real partnership between ARS and Western Kentucky University (WKU) is to conduct cost effective and problem solving research associated with animal waste management. The research will evaluate management practices and treatment strategies that protect water quality, reduce atmospheric emissions, and control pathogens at the animal production facilities, manure storage areas, and field application sites, particularly for the karst topography. This Project Plan is a unique situation in the sense that non-ARS scientists from WKU are included on an in-house project to conduct research under the NP 214. The objectives and related specific sub-objectives for the next 5 years are organized according to the Components (Nutrient, Emission, Pathogen, and Byproduct) of the NP 214, which mostly apply to this project as follows: 1) develop improved best management practices, application technologies, and decision support systems for poultry and livestock manure used in crop production; 2) develop methods to identify and quantify emissions, from poultry, dairy and swine rearing operations and manure applied lands; 3) reduce ammonia, odors, microorganisms and particulate emissions from dairy, swine and poultry operations through the use of treatment systems (e.g. biofilters and scrubbers) and innovative management practices; 4) perform runoff and leaching experiments on a variety of soils amended with dairy, swine, or poultry manures infected with Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni), Salmonella sp. or Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) and compare observed transport with that observed for common indicator organisms such as E. coli, enterococci, and Bacteriodes; and 5) use molecular-based methodologies to quantify the occurrence of pathogens and evaluate new methods to inhibit their survival and transport in soil, water, and waste treatment systems. |
| BIOREFINING PROCESSES | 0418775 | ORTS W J | 11/16/2009 | 09/30/2014 | COMPLETE | ALBANY | BIOFUELS, EFFICIENCY, SEPARATION, CORN, MOLECULAR, ENZYMES, WHEAT, SORGHUM, PROTEIN, FERMENTATION, ENERGY, ETHANOL, STARCH, ALCOHOL, EVOLUTION, BIOREFINERY, REFINING | Not applicable | Objective 1: Develop enzyme-based technologies (based on cleaving specific covalent crosslinks which underlie plant cell wall recalcitrance) thereby enabling new commercially-viable* saccharification processes. Objective 2: Develop new enzyme-based technologies that enable the production of commercially-viable* coproducts such as specialty chemicals, polymer precursors, and nutritional additives/supplements from raw or pretreated lignocellulosic biomass. Objective 3: Develop pretreatment technologies that enable commercially-viable* biorefineries capable of utilizing diverse feedstocks such as rice straw, wheat straw, commingled wastes (including MSW), sorghum, switchgrass, algae, and food processing by-products. Objective 4: Develop new separation technologies that enable commercially-viable* and energy-efficient processes for the recovery of biofuels, biorefinery co-products, and/or bioproducts from dilute fermentation broths. |
| Renewable energy systems to improve small farm sustainability | 0231634 | Zehnder, Geoffrey | 07/20/2012 | 09/30/2016 | COMPLETE | CLEMSON | alternative energy, anaerobic digestion, black soldier fly digestion, farm, passive solar greenhouse heating, waste bioconversion | Increasing consumer demand for locally-grown produce in South Carolina and the region has created significant economic opportunities for small-scale growers through direct and wholesale marketing. However, with limited available resources producers need to find ways to reduce operating costs and identify new sources of revenue to give them a competitive edge in the marketplace. On-farm bioenergy production can help to offset the increasing costs of petroleum based fuels and fertilizers and improve farm profitability. Furthermore, compared to petroleum-based energy, bioenergy can reduce carbon dioxide emissions through its role in the carbon cycle. There are many ways to turn biological materials into energy and to reduce on-farm energy costs, although at present only a few represent practical and cost-effective options for small, limited resource farming operations. To our knowledge very few studies have been done in South Carolina to develop, demonstrate and evaluate renewable and sustainable energy systems for small farms as described below. This study will evaluate three energy systems for small farms; anaerobic digestion of waste for production of biogas, black soldier fly digestion of waste for production of compost and other value added products, and hydronic and passive solar greenhouse heating systems. Outputs from the project will include information on critical operating parameters for scale appropriate anaerobic digester and black soldier fly composting systems to be built at the Clemson Organic Farm. System costs and the value of energy savings and value-added products will be determined. Installation and operating costs and energy savings provided by the passive solar and hydronic heating systems will be quantified, and the systems will be evaluated for season extension vegetable production. The pilot systems will also be available for demonstration and training purposes. Information gained from design, construction and operation of the different systems will be utilized in development of recommendations to farmers interested in implementing the systems to reduce energy costs and increase farm profitability. The projected impact of the project will be to help farmers increase energy self-reliance and reduce their energy costs, and to provide them with information on how to create value-added products through bioconversion of waste materials. | The goal of the proposed research will be to help farmers increase energy self-reliance and reduce their energy costs, and to provide them with information on how to create value-added products through bioconversion of waste materials. Objectives: 1. Design, build and evaluate a scale-appropriate anaerobic digester system to generate biogas to provide supplemental greenhouse heating and to refrigerate the walk-in cooler at the Clemson Organic Farm. 2. Design, build and evaluate a Black Soldier Fly composting system at the Clemson Organic Farm for bioconversion of food and farm waste into compost, animal feed, and oil for biodiesel fuel production. 3. Compare the costs and energy savings of hydronic heating and passive solar components with conventional greenhouse heating systems for season extension vegetable production at the Clemson Organic Farm. |
| Bioenergy and Biofuels Production from Lignocellulosic Biomass via Anaerobic Digestion and Fisher-Tropsch Reaction | 0231118 | Zhao, Lingying | 09/01/2012 | 08/31/2017 | COMPLETE | Columbus | Lignocellulosic biomass, anaerobic digestion, biogas, digestate, dry fermentation, lignocellulosic biomass, liquid hydrocarbon fuels, solid state | Integrated anaerobic digestion system (iADs) is an Ohio State University (OSU) patent technology (WO/2011/020000) that combines solid state anaerobic digestion (SS-AD) with commercially available liquid anaerobic digestion (L-AD). This combination mitigates technical challenges associated with each alone, and creates synergistic benefits that reduce cost, improve efficiency, and increase biogas production from a wide range of feedstocks. The biogas in turn is converted into bioenergy and biofuels, while the SS-AD digestate can be used to enhance soil quality (closing an ecological loop). Here, we propose to optimize the SS-AD technology for biogas production from lignocellulosic biomass; develop the upstream and downstream logistics around the iADs; and assess the potential environmental, economic, and social benefits of iADs. Pilot scale SS-AD tests with different feedstocks will be performed to validate the lab scale results and provide the critical data necessary to convince our industrial collaborators to move this technology into the next stage of commercialization, namely, the demonstration phase (which is beyond the scope of this grant). To achieve the objectives of the proposal, we have assembled a multidisciplinary team of scientists in the areas of soil and carbon sequestration (Dr. Rattan Lal, OSU), feedstock supply logistics (Dr. Scott Shearer, OSU), feedstock logistics and process modeling (Dr. Sudhagar Mani, University of Georgia (UGA)), anaerobic digestion (Dr. Yebo Li, OSU), anaerobic biology (Dr. Z. T. Yu, OSU), catalyst synthesis (Dr. Fei Yu, Mississippi State University (MSU)), and LCA (Bhavik Bakshi, OSU). The team will work closely with industry collaborators including quasar energy group (quasar), American Electric Power (AEP), Aloterra Energy, Marathon, CNH, AgSTAR and others on this project. The outcomes of the proposed project include: (1) optimization of novel iADs technology using effluent of L-AD as inoculum and nitrogen source for SS-AD, with increased knowledge about the microbiome in the SS-AD process; (2) miscanthus and crop production with SS-AD digestate that leverages BCAP-funded Miscanthus production for development of Miscanthus feedstock logistics (planting, harvesting and storage systems); (3) restoration and soil quality enhancement of marginalized lands; (4) assessment of the carbon sequestration in soils, trees and wetlands, and of the magnitude by which gaseous emissions in biofuel production process can be off-set by net gains in the ecosystem carbon pool; (5) A flexible platform system for exploring innovative uses of AD products including testing the techno-economic feasibility of production of liquid hydrocarbon fuels from biogas; (6) Positive economic, environmental, and social impact of iADs. The impacts of the project include: (1) extension of the feedstocks of AD from animal manure to all kinds of organic waste; (2) production of liquid transportation fuels production from organic waste; (3) assessment of the net ecosystem carbon budget in biofuel production. | The long term goal of this project is to commercialize an integrated anaerobic digestion system (iADs) that promises cost competitive bioenergy and biofuels production from lignocellulosic biomass. The specific objectives of this proposal are to: (1)Develop a sustainable production and supply logistics system to provide multiple feedstocks to iADs for bioenergy and biofuels production; (2) Assess impacts of SS-AD digestate application to biofuel crops grown in marginal lands on soil quality and hydrological, microclimatic, and agronomic parameters; (3) Develop a pretreatment technology to increase lignocellulosic biomass digestibility and optimize SS-AD technologies to maximize biogas production; (4)Integrate feedstock supply chains with a pilot scale iADs to evaluate its potential for commercialization; (5) Develop a biogas to liquid hydrocarbon fuels (BTL) technology via catalytic reforming and Fisher-Tropsch (F-T) synthesis; (6) Use Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and process economic models to evaluate the proposed system performance and its environmental, economic, and social impacts on sustainability. |
| US Dairy Adoption of Anaerobic Digestion Systems Integrating Multiple Emerging Clean Technologies:Climate, Environmental and Economic Impact | 0230080 | Kruger, Chad | 08/01/2012 | 07/31/2016 | COMPLETE | Pullman | CAFOs, anaerobic digestion, anaerobic digestion systems, biofertilizers, clean water, climate mitigation, dairies, nutrient recovery, pyrolysis, renewable energy, techno-economic evalation, water recovery | Based on considerable preliminary research, we propose that anaerobic digestion (AD) systems are the most effective means for reducing agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while also improving air/water quality, nutrient cycling impacts, and farm economics. Our projects goals are to quantify the climate, air, water, nutrient and economic impacts of integrating next generation technologies in AD systems within US animal feeding operations (AFOs), contribute to increased AD adoption rates, and reduce GHG impacts. The project focuses on AD for dairy operations, although lessons learned are readily applicable to feedlot, swine, and poultry operations. We emphasize a systems approach in order to address AFO nutrient and economic concerns while enhancing GHG mitigation. Evidence suggests that addressing these nutrient and economic issues improves marginal returns on investment and could enhance currently poor U.S. AD adoption rates. Successful AD systems will integrate emerging technologies, complementary to AD, which are being developed by the project team through leveraged research: pyrolysis (P), nutrient recovery (NR), and water recovery (WR).<p> Our approach utilizes a multi-disciplinary team to quantify (against baseline) multiple scenarios for AD systems with varying combinations of complementary technology. Analysis against various levels of technology incorporation and farm scenarios will allow us to determine both direct as well as upstream and downstream impacts of a system or technology on total and component (CO2, CH4, N2O) GHG emissions, nutrient and energy flows, project economics, and crop yields. Project outputs will provide accessible technical information to industry, regulatory agencies, and private carbon market entities, overcoming previously identified barriers to new technology adoption. Together, the project will assist US AFOs, rural communities, and the AD industry in adopting improved agricultural waste management and move AFOs from a GHG source to a carbon sink. We will leverage relevant research (completed or ongoing) to complete assigned objectives and tasks, thereby allowing for a wealth of outputs using a relatively short timeline and budget. Specific project objectives include: (1) enhancement of pyrolysis platform through modification of resulting bio-char for nutrient recovery; (2) agronomic evaluation of AD system bio-fertilizer and co-products to determine potential for carbon sequestration, GHG mitigation, and crop yield; (3) GHG emissions, nutrient-flow, and crop yield modeling analysis; (4) techno-economic analysis; and (5) extension of relevant research results to key stakeholders best positioned to facilitate AD system adoption on AFOs. | Project goals are to quantify the climate, air, water, nutrient and economic impacts of integrating emerging, next generation technologies within anaerobic digestion (AD) systems on US animal feeding operations (AFOs), primarily dairies, although lessons learned apply to feedlot, swine, and poultry operations. Systems are emphasized as evidence suggests that addressing AFO concerns regarding nutrients and economics improves marginal returns on investment and could enhance currently poor U.S. AD adoption rates. Successful AD systems will integrate emerging technologies, complementary to AD, which are being developed by the project team through leveraged research: pyrolysis, nutrient recovery, and water recovery. Analysis against various levels of technology incorporation and farm scenarios will allow for determination of both direct as well as upstream and downstream impacts of a system or technology on total and component (CO2, CH4, N2O) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, nutrient and energy flows, project economics, and crop yields. Project objectives include: (1) enhancement of pyrolysis platform through modification of bio-char for nutrient recovery; (2) agronomic evaluation of AD system bio-fertilizer and co-products; (3) GHG emissions, nutrient-flow, and crop yield modeling analysis; (4) techno-economic analysis; and (5) extension of relevant research results to key stakeholders. Project outputs will provide accessible technical information to industry, regulatory agencies, and private carbon market entities, overcoming previously identified barriers to new technology adoption. This proposal addresses priority areas related to research and extension for GHG mitigation and carbon sequestration within AFOs for reductions in agricultural emissions while improving sustainable joint use of nitrogen and water. |
| Enhancing Greenhouse Gas Mitigation And Economic Viability Of Anaerobic Digestion Systems: Algal Carbon Sequestration And Bioplastics Produc | 0229956 | Feris, Kevin | 09/01/2012 | 08/31/2016 | COMPLETE | Boise | Algae, Anaerobic digestion, Bio-plastics, Bioproducts, Polyhydroxyalkanoates, Process Model, algae, anaerobic digestion, bio-plastics, biogas, bioproducts, carbohydrates, carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas mitigation, polyhydroxyalkanoates, process model | Over 9 million dairy cows generate an estimated 226 billion kg (249 million tons) of wet manure and produce approximately 5.8 billion kg of CO2 equivalents annually in the U.S. (BSSC 2008; Liebrand & Ling 2009). For an average 10,000 head dairy, decomposition of this organic waste produces ?6,000 tons of CH4, 74 tons of N2O, and 130,000 tons of CO2 per year, or ~290,000 tons of CO2 equivalents (USEPA 2011). These emissions constitute approximately 2.5% of the annual production of greenhouse gasses (GHGs) in the United States, and make dairies one of the largest single industry sources of GHG in the US (USEPA 2011). Anaerobic digestion (AD) can significantly reduce dairy GHG emissions by enhancing CH4 generation and capturing and converting CH4 to CO2 in a generator while producing electricity and offsetting farm energy usage. AD biogas could be used to generate >6,800 GWh/yr in power, roughly equivalent to the average annual electricity usage of 500,000 to 600,000 homes (U.S.EPA 2010). Recognizing the potential of ADs to mitigate GHG emissions and produce power, in January 2009, the Innovation Center (IC) for U.S. Dairy announced a voluntary goal to reduce GHG emissions 25% by 2020. Central to achieving this goal is the construction of approximately 1,300 new ADs, which the EPA estimates could reduce U.S. CH4 emissions by 90%. Despite industry support behind broad AD deployment, the on-the-ground reality is that AD projects are not always commercially feasible, due in part to generally low electricity rates. Perhaps more importantly, ADs emit relatively large quantities of GHGs in the form of CO2. Thus, new strategies are necessary to improve AD economics and consequently promote the adoption of AD as a mitigation strategy to achieve the ICs GHG reduction goals. To enhance dairy carbon (C) sequestration, this project will advance a novel integrated manure-to-commodities system that converts pre-fermented manure to bioenergy, sequesters carbon by converting volatile fatty acid (VFA)-rich fermenter supernatant to bioplastics, and sequesters AD effluents (CO2, nitrogen, phosphorus) by producing algae that can be harvested and returned to the AD to enhance PHA production and enhance overall C-sequestration. GHG reduction and C sequestration will be quantified and used to parameterize a system model and web-accessible management decision tool that will be developed at the Idaho National Laboratory. Research product and decision tool dissemination along with workforce and student training will be facilitated by connecting to an on-going, USDA funded outreach and education effort centered on biofuel literacy led by the University of Idaho's McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS). The outcomes and impacts of this project will include changes in the agricultural knowledge system. Change in knowledge will come from applied research developing a novel approach to GHG reduction and economic development. Change in action will come from experimentally-based information generation and development of data driven decision tools with potential to lead to change in actions by agricultural producers. | We propose a novel strategy that enhances the utility of anaerobic digestion for reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of dairy manure management. Additionally, we propose that by producing carbohydrate rich algal biomass and directing the fixed carbon (C) to a longer-term storage pool than biofuels (i.e. PHA-based bioplastics), we can further reduce the GHG footprint. The potential exists to make these systems net C sinks rather than sources, while simultaneously enhancing the overall process economics; thereby improving the likelihood that coupled AD-Algae-PHA systems will be adopted by the dairy industry. Our project objectives and milestones follow: Objective 1: Quantify C flow from manure to CH4 and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) via a two stage AD system. The goal of this task is to identify critical bioreactor operating conditions that maximize PHA synthesis and CH4 production and optimize carbon sequestration. Milestones/target dates: Manure fermentation potential investigations will be completed within the first 90 days of the project and the fermentation factorial will be completed over the subsequent 12 months. The PHA and AD investigations have been allocated 24 months. Objective 2: Quantify C-capture, characterize C-quality, and quantify nutrient recovery via algal production from AD effluent streams (e.g. gas and liquid). Assess C-sequestration potential of algal biomass as a fermenter feedstock to enhance PHA synthesis. Assess influence of spatial-temporal variability of algal community structure on these processes. Milestones/target dates: The algal cultivation systems will be assembled and baseline conditions determined in the first 6 months. 24 months is allocated for the remaining algal cultivation objectives. Objective 3: Develop and deploy user-friendly web-based management decision tools to quantify and parameterize GHG reduction, C-sequestration, and enhancement of AD commercial viability. Milestones/target dates: The model will be defined and functional specifications and input/output flows established within the first 6 months. Between year 1 and 2 individual sub-models will be wrapped and integrated into the overall process model. By the second year the web interface will be prepared. During the third year the web-based model will be demonstrated to stakeholders and decision-makers. Objectives 4 and 5: Produce the next generation of bio-product innovators and system operators by integrating undergraduate and graduate training and work force development. Develop an outreach and education program targeting dairy managers and AD system operators. Milestones/target dates: Student training will occur throughout the project. Outreach and educational programs will be delivered during years 2 and 3 of the project. Outputs: We will define optimal operating conditions for the AD, PHA, and Algal reactors, quantify carbon sequestration potential of the PHA and algal reactor systems, develop a web-based modeling tool, and train students and system operators. Project results will be communicated via manuscript publication, outreach and educational programs, and interactions with our stakeholder group. |
| A Biogas Heat Engine for Small to Mid-Sized Farms | 0226184 | Tesar, Joseph | 09/01/2011 | 02/28/2015 | COMPLETE | Ann Arbor | anaerobic digester, pathogen-free effluent, renewable energy,, biogas,, co-feeds., energy scavenging,, heat pump,, solar thermal,, tes,, thermal storage, | Non-technical Summary: The profitability of small and mid-sized dairy farms is strongly affected by increases in feed costs and energy costs. Unfortunately, farm operators have limited control of these factors, especially in the long term. New technology is needed to allow farmers to manage energy costs on their farms. One excellent solution is to use existing organic farm waste material to create energy via anaerobic digestion. Dairy operations (as well as other feeding sites) create copious amount of manure each day. By collecting this waste into an anaerobic digester, valuable biogas can be created and used by the farmer for pasteurization or hot water generation. Other organic materials can be used as feedstocks to enhance biogas production. The Biogas Heat Engine from Quantalux is an energy solution that generates valuable biogas from agricultural waste. Biogas has a large fraction of methane, and with suitable cleaning of the gas, can be used as a drop-in replacement for fossil fuels such as propane and natural gas. Our system includes a novel method for stabilizing biogas production using a thermal energy storage (TES). Renewable thermal sources are coupled to the Heat Engine via thermal storage cache, allowing the system to produce biogas more consistently. In order to show the viability of this technology for smaller farming operations, Quantalux will prototype and demonstrate that a simplified, thermally stable anaerobic digester system, We will show that the smaller farmer can self-generate biogas for use on his/her farm (decreasing energy costs), and that same farmer can also earn additional revenue (from selling enhanced digestate.) We also will show enhanced biogas production via the use of thermally stabilized digestion vessels, and by the addition of different farm-based feedstocks to the base manure feedstock. The Biogas Heat Engine will be marketed directly to small to mid-sized dairy farmers who seek decreased costs and a diversified revenue source. Revenues come from avoided cost of energy, the sale of compost, or from tipping fees from co-digestion materials. The Biogas Heat Engine is a way for the small farmer their energy costs while improving the health management of their farm and of the surrounding ecosystem. | Goals: During the USDA Phase II effort, Quantalux will develop an optimized anaerobic digester solution targeted to the needs of small to mid-sized farms. This solution is called the Biogas Heat Engine, and will generate valuable biogas from existing on-farm organic matter (primarily manure). Anaerobic digester performance will be enhanced by the addition of thermal energy storage (TES) technology (researched in Phase I.) TES allows the digester to be operated cost-effectively at higher temperatures, leading to more rapid and stable biogas production. Additional heat also reduces the number of pathogens in the digested material substantially. In addition to TES, Quantalux will also design and prototype remote process monitoring and will test and evaluate available organic material co-feeds can be added to the system to further enhance the quantity of biogas. A system for cleaning and storing biogas will also be developed. Objectives: This project will take a step-wise approach to developing a Phase II prototype. In the first step, initial Phase I computer models for anaerobic digestion and renewable energy sources (solar thermal and energy scavenging) will be refined. Key process monitors of the digestion process will be evaluated and a method for remote data exchange will be developed. Safe and cost-effective methods for storing and using biogas for farm processes (such as heating and cooling) will be developed. In the next step, a detailed engineering design will be developed for the key modules, including the renewable energy sources and TES module, the remote monitoring module and the biogas cleaning/storing module. In the final step, all system elements will be integrated into a scaled version of the Biogas Heat Engine and performance will be validated. The core anaerobic digester will be augmented with TES technology will assure thermal stability during the biogas generation process. Biogas production will be assessed based on a variety of feedstocks (both single feedstocks and co-feeds). The degree of pathogen reduction will be measured and evaluated for a range of pathogens. An overall objective is to maximize the potential revenue to the farmer (via biogas and pathogen-free byproducts) by implementing a comprehensive management strategy. Expected Outputs: The demonstration of the Biogas Heat Engine will show that a biogas-only, thermally stable anaerobic digester system can be viable on small to mid-sized farms. Several key ancillary technologies will be part of the demonstration, including: a remote monitoring system that simplifies and automates process control in the digester, a simplified scrubbing and gas storage system, and a thermal management system that allows for higher performance at lower cost. We will also show that co-feeding the digester using different organic feedstocks will result in higher biogas production. |
| An Integrated BioGas-Solar Dehydration System: Increasing Sustainability through Value-Added Agriculture | 0226170 | Akiona II, William K. | 09/01/2011 | 08/31/2014 | COMPLETE | Waianae | Anaerobic Digester, Biogas, Jatropha Seedcake, Solar Dehydration, Value-Added Agriculture, biogas, jatropha, biodiesel, anaerobic digestion, low-value,, residues, seedcake, glycerin, methane gas, solar dehydration, food, waste, moringa, bioenergy, oilseed | Mandates for biofuels have resulted in the significant increase of biodiesel production in rural communities. Hawaii's Jatropha biodiesel production will produce nearly 650-700 kg of residues, consisting of Jatropha seedcake and fruit hulls for every metric ton of seeds harvested for oil production. In addition, the biodiesel conversion process will produce another 30-50 kg of crude glycerin, as a co-product for every metric ton of oilseed processed. In Hawaii, nearly 270 million gallons of petroleum diesel is consumed annually. As the local production of just one million gallons of Jatropha biodiesel will result in more than 20 metric tons of processed residuals each day. This substantial production of biofuels leaves a tremendous amount of low-value residues needing to be properly disposed of, on an island setting that is environmentally fragile. Thus, the onsite anaerobic digestion (AD) of these organic residues, into a methane gas, will not only generate energy - through the use of a combined heat and power (CHP) micro turbine - but will also resolve the issues of wastes disposal. The system will supply enough power and heat to efficiently operate a biodiesel production facility, as well as an adjacent solar dehydration plant, with all of its surplus power, sold to the utility grid. This integrated biogas-solar dehydration system is a natural progression, as Hawaii lays abundant in solar radiation, throughout the year. The project will build a scalable pilot system producing up to 50kW of electricity. Thermal recovery is integrated through the CHP for drying food and co-products. Design benefits will facilitate rural replication, to where the AD system will utilize a broad range of locally-available low-value residues and waste materials that relies on a simple technology, which can be developed and supported locally, while being designed to minimize operational costs. The plan is to set-up and utilizes an integrated biogas facility that will fully utilize and appropriately capitalize on all the synergies provided by a biogas plant. The system biologically converts organic waste and residues into energy-rich biogas that also provides nutrient-rich digested solids that is utilized as an organic fertilizer. Thus, local food production, processing and preservation are realized benefits from this biogas facility's electrical and thermal generation. Hence, food and energy security can now be achieved for our geographically isolated rural communities. Therefore, commercialization plans will focus on the main Hawaiian Islands, first. And thereafter, pursue the market potential that exists throughout the American Pacific Protectorates of Micronesia and American Samoa. Wherever imports of nutrients, food and energy have outpaced rural production, there is a similar biogas development opportunity that exists. While incentives are substantial for renewable energy projects and realizing the financial benefits of tax credits, environmental credits and loan programs can be complex. Hawaii's generous feed-in-tariff will ultimately provide the needed financial support for smaller projects that cannot benefit from the economies of scale principal. | The goal of the project is to definitively determine the design, construction and operation of a modular anaerobic digestion (AD) facility, or biogas plant, that will utilize Jatropha biodiesel residues that consists of Jatropha seedcake, glycerin and fruit hulls; to include other co-digestion substrates, such as Moringa oleifera, agricultural residues, processed food waste, MSW (municipal solid waste) organic residuals and commercial food-waste materials. The AD system will convert these low-value residues into a renewable energy, in the form of biogas to generate electricity and thermal energy. The system will also produce valued co-products in the form of organic fertilizers. The objectives of this project are to utilize crop production residues, as a feedstock, to rid the farm of its wastes stream accumulation. Thus, we can further process these organic waste materials, into value-added energy products to power our food and fuel processing facilities, while utilizing the resulting effluent nutrients to enhance crop production. An integrated biogas-solar dehydration system will be installed, on the farm, to illustrate the proper utilization of waste materials to produce several lines of value-added products and revenue streams. Therefore, the biogas that is generated by the AD system will be utilized to operate a combined heat and power (CHP) unit to produce electrical power that will efficiently operate a biodiesel production facility and solar dehydration plant - selling its surplus power to the local utility grid. The system will also generate a stream of nutrient-rich materials that can be utilized as an organic fertilizer for use on the farm or bagged for the wholesale market. Thus, the waste stream generated from both the biodiesel production facility and solar dehydration plant, will become the primary throughput feedstock for the AD system; augmented with other co-substrates, that will include the receipt of MSW food- and green-waste materials that also generates an additional revenue stream, through tipping fees. The expected output will be that of a whole-systems model for meeting many of our predictable needs; in decentralized green energy production, job creation, watershed protection, regional food production, agricultural nutrient cycling, reduced greenhouse gas production and carbon sequestration. This project is an innovative concept that will spawn replication elsewhere in Hawaii and the American Pacific. |
| System For Advanced Biofuels Production From Woody Biomass In The Pacific Northwest | 0225392 | Gustafson, Richard | 09/01/2011 | 08/31/2019 | COMPLETE | Seattle | Biofuels, bioenergy, biofuels, biomass production, biorefining, commercialization, curriculum, distribution (economics), drop-in fuels, energy crops, environmental models, extension programs, genetic transformation, higher education, hybridization, life cycle assessment, pacific states, plantations, poplar, professional education, program evaluation, residuals, rural development, social impact, supply chain, sustainability science | The United States is not on track to meet the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) targets for advanced biofuels production under the Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007 (Biofuels Interagency Working Group, 2010). Our agricultural and forestry sectors can provide feedstock to support the fledgling industry (Perlack et al., 2005). However, lack of integration across the entire supply chain has led to sub-optimal solutions and stunted commercial rollout of the advanced biofuels industry. This project, led by the University of Washington, provides a holistic approach to the establishment of a regional biofuels industry with a project that encompasses research, extension, and education components. | The overall goal of this project is to ready the Pacific Northwest (PNW) for a 2015 introduction of a 100% infrastructure compatible biofuels industry that meets the region's pro-rata share of Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS2) targets using sustainably grown regionally appropriate woody energy crops, thereby helping to revitalize the region's agriculture/forestry sectors with establishment of a sustainable advanced biofuels industry that supports both large and small growers and brings jobs to rural communities in the region. We will complete a three prong integrated program of research, extension and education to achieve this goal. The desired actions (medium term outcomes) for the three project components are: RESEARCH - Mitigate technology risks along the entire supply chain so that a woody energy crop-based biofuels industry, which makes significant contributions towards RFS2 targets, can be built in the PNW. EXTENSION - Build a critical mass of competent small- and medium-size growers to provide the industry with timely supply of purpose-grown woody energy crops, and address the needs and concerns of stakeholders that will be impacted by an advanced biofuels industry in the PNW. EDUCATION - Build a critical mass of well-trained workers capable of filling the cross-disciplinary needs of the biofuels industry. Capstone activities for the project are: 1. GreenWood Resources, the Nation's larger grower of hybrid poplar, will establish and operate four 200-acre energy farms managed with low-input silviculture. 2. ZeaChem Inc., a leading biorefinery developer, will modify its 10 ton(dry)/day biorefinery in Boardman, OR to produce multiple 8,000 gallon truckloads of biobased gasoline and jet/diesel, which will be distributed to consumers on a test basis by Valero Energy Corporation. 3. Deployment of sustainability, extension and education programs by world-class regional institutions will lead to the establishment of a critical mass of well-trained growers and workers. Successful completion of these activities will lead to the desired actions of adequate risk reduction to allow the financing, construction, and operation of multiple biorefineries in the region. |
| Desulfurization of Biogas Derived from Animal Manure | 0218108 | Alptekin, G. | 06/01/2009 | 01/31/2010 | COMPLETE | WHEAT RIDGE | biogas~desulfurization~distributed power~combined heat and power | TDA is developing a cost effective and flexible desulfurization technology to clean-up biogas generated from waste streams fuels that allow its use in highly efficient fuel cell-based combined heat and power systems. Better and efficient use of these under-utilized biowastes could replace major amounts of natural gas to reduce the U.S. dependence on foreign energy resources consumption of hydrocarbon in the U.S. and lead to significant reductions in CO2 emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. | Animal farms generate by-product gases containing billions of Btu energy; this energy is either not used at all or used in old and inefficient processes. Better use of these under-utilized streams could replace significant amounts of natural gas, thereby reducing the U.S. dependence on foreign energy resources and significantly reducing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), a potent greenhouse gas. TDA Research Inc., in collaboration with FuelCell Energy Inc., proposes to develop a new, high capacity, expendable sorbent to remove sulfur species from ADG, thereby providing an essentially sulfur-free biogas that meets the cleanliness requirements of DFC power plants. Unlike the combustion engines, the fuel cells operate with very high efficiency even at small scale, offering significant benefits to the distributed CHP systems utilizing bio-waste. |
| The Design and Development of an Experimental Anaerobic Digester for Organic Waste | 0217691 | Ososanya, E | 04/16/2009 | 04/16/2012 | COMPLETE | WASHINGTON | alternative fuel, anaerobic digestion, animal waste, bio wastes, biodegradation, biogas, biomass, digester, energy, gas chromatograph, geothermal, hydrolysis, methane gas, organic waste, organic waste, renewable energy, solar, wind | The ever growing demand for energy world-wide can only be met by considering the possible range of energy solutions, and the technology to produce emerging sources of energy, to reduce our dependence on oil - a non renewable fossil fuel. Renewable energy such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass [1,2,3,4], and alternative fuels are promising clean energy resources of the future, which are environmentally friendly and which sources replenish itself or cannot be exhausted. Biomass energy is derived from waste of various human and natural activities, including, municipal solid waste, manufacturing waste, agricultural crops waste, woodchips, dead trees, leaves, livestock manure, hotels and restaurant wastes, etc., which are abundant anywhere and everywhere, at any time. Any of these sources can be used to fuel biomass energy production with the design of an efficient digester or processing plant to harness the energy from the biological mass. By designing and building a new Anaerobic Digester, a number of possible solutions to alternate energy can be experimented which include digestion of animal waste, organic wastes, and bio wastes. This study also will research the use of alternate fuel for the District of Columbia Taxi Cabs. | This research will build a pilot waste anaerobic digester at the DC Agricultural Experiment Station Research Center in Beltsville, Maryland for the production of biomass and demonstrates that using the resources that are easily available makes the production of energy efficient and reliable. The energy producing potential of the different types of waste products will be studied through continuous monitoring of the digestion biochemical processes, operating parameters, the energy content, and the analysis of the biogas products. A Fuzzy logic Controller of the Anaerobic Digester System will be designed in parallel with the physical digester to enable us to model mathematically or simulate certain aspects of the digester processes for increased efficiency and process stability. This study will also research the environmental impact of the use of alternate fuels by performing an engineering analysis of energy consumption by Taxi Cabs in the District of Columbia. The goal will be to evaluate the differential environmental impacts of various types of fuels used by the taxi cabs and to answer two questions: What are the advantages of having an alternate fuel for District taxi cabs Are there any potential environmental benefits through the use of biofuels by DC taxi cabs The objectives of this research are: (i) To design and engineer an efficient, reliable, and low-cost anaerobic digester for waste processing; (ii) To analyze the potential of biogas production from anaerobic digestion of the organic waste of the city of Washington DC; and (iii) To maximize methane gas production. The overall objectives of environmental impact analysis will include: (a) Collect data and catalog the number of taxi cabs in the District and their fuel consumption patterns, number of fuel service stations, and types of fuel; (b) Conduct statistical analysis of collected data; (c) Relate urban air quality to different types of fuel consumption; (d)Evaluate the impact of alternative fuel on the environment; (e) Conduct preliminary cost-benefit analysis of using biofuel; (f) Educate the stake holders and students about the use of alternative fuels; and (g) Support state and federal agencies in providing relevant information. |
| The Science and Engineering for a Biobased Industry and Economy | 0216889 | Capareda, Sergio | 10/01/2008 | 09/30/2013 | COMPLETE | COLLEGE STATION | anaerobic digestion, biodiesel, biogas, biomass energy, ethanol, gasification | We are investigating several biological and theremochemical processes for conversion of biomass to energy. In one project, we are evaluating thermochemical gasification combined with thermophilic anaerobic digestion for conversion of dairy manure for on-site energy production. In addition to producing energy, the mass and volume of wastes from the combined system will be significantly reduced which will allow more economical export of phosphorus and other nutrients from the watershed in which the dairy is located. This will help the overall dairy operation become more sustainable. We are investigating methods to increase biogas production from anaerobic digestion, for example, by incorporating the glycerol byproduct from biodiesel production in the feedstock to the digester. We are investigating conversion of different types of sorghum to ethanol, and we are developing alternative methods for production of biodiesel from oils and fats. | Not applicable |
| National Alternative Fuels Laboratory (NAFL) 2008 | 0214094 | Aulich, T. R. | 07/01/2008 | 06/30/2010 | COMPLETE | GRAND FORKS | ethanol, biomass, lignocellulose, renewables, isobutanol, butanol, wind energy, ammonia fertilizer, urea fertilizer | U.S. agriculture is dependent on nitrogen fertilizers, but the U.S. nitrogen fertilizer industry is at serious risk due to the high price of natural gas, the primary source of hydrogen for reaction with nitrogen to yield ammonia. The cost of natural gas, which accounts for at least 80% of the cost of ammonia (and by extension, the cost of all other nitrogen-based fertilizers) has resulted in a significant increase in fertilizer imports and a significant reduction in U.S. fertilizer production capacity. It is of urgent importance to develop domestic fertilizer production capabilities that can compete with current import-based scenarios that include the use of low-cost stranded natural gas, large-scale processing, and long-range transportation to U.S. farmers. This project will optimize recently developed electrolytic ammonia and urea production processes that replace high-cost natural gas-derived hydrogen with much lower-cost biomass gasification-derived syngas
(bio-syngas). Because they are driven by electricity and operate at significantly lower temperatures and pressures than the natural gas-based processes, the electrolytic processes offer the potential to directly utilize wind-generated electricity for production of fertilizer at significantly reduced capital and operating costs versus the natural gas-based processes. Commercialization of the processes would 1) result in lower-cost fertilizer, 2) help the domestic fertilizer industry survive by eliminating the need to buy natural gas, 3) enable extracting value from wind energy without the need for major expansion of expensive, difficult-to-permit transmission capacity, and 4) promote rural economic development on the wind-rich Great Plains. This project will also optimize a process to convert ethanol to higher (longer carbon chain) alcohols including butanol, isobutanol, hexanol, and others. Isobutanol has value as a high-octane gasoline blendstock that could complement ethanol by
effecting a reduction in the vapor pressure increase that accompanies low-level (5-20 volume%) ethanol addition to gasoline; butanol, hexanol, and other higher alcohol products have value as chemical intermediates. Motivation for this work is provided by the fact that the higher alcohols process can be efficiently conducted at moderate temperatures, atmospheric pressure, and without any exotic or toxic material inputs, which means it represents a potentially viable means of product diversification at existing corn- and new lignocellulosic-based ethanol plants. To optimize the higher alcohols process, new catalysts will be developed and evaluated, and the best-performing catalyst(s) will be used in tests to establish optimal process operational conditions including temperature, ethanol feed rate, unconverted or partially converted feedstock recycle rate, and catalyst regeneration procedure. | The project goals are to are to 1) optimize electrochemical processes for producing nitrogen-based fertilizers from biomass gasification-derived synthesis gas (bio-syngas) and electricity and 2) optimize a process for converting ethanol to butanol and other higher (longer carbon chain) alcohols via a low-temperature low-pressure condensation reaction. Commercialization of the bio-syngas fertilizer processes would enable lower-cost domestic fertilizer production versus the natural gas-based processes commercially utilized today. Because it is compatible with integration at current corn and new lignocellulose ethanol production facilities, commercialization of the higher alcohols process would enable development of new high-value product options for ethanol producers. |
| Development of Horticultural Containers from Anaerobically Digested Cow manure | 0211231 | Gardner, Perry | 09/01/2007 | 08/31/2009 | COMPLETE | EAST CANAAN | manure digester anaerobic nutrient cowpots | Freund's Farm, Inc. has developed an innovative process that transforms cow manure into value-added, biodegradable containers for horticultural use. Work performed to date has demonstrated that container pots can be molded from processed manure that offer the desired characteristics of biodegradability and decomposability, allow for exceptional penetration of plant roots through pot walls, and provide nutrient content. Further work is needed to improve the efficiency and consistency of the solids separation done on the discharge from the anaerobic digester since the solids stream is the source of material that is ultimately used to form the pots. Also further work is needed to determine if it is possible to use the bio-gas in a direct fired drying unit without imparting undesirable odor to the horticultural containers. This utilization of the bio-gas will help the product economics if it can be done satisfactorily. The work to be performed under this grant will
characterize and identify the solids separation method that separates solids from the liquid manure discharging from the anaerobic digester. This project will also determine the practicality of direct firing bio-gas fuel generated from the digester to efficiently dry the formed horticultural pots in a manufacturing facility. Prototype horticultural containers will be fabricated using Freund's Farm's existing manure digester and pulp molding equipment. The test pots formed will be tested for horticultural performance and odor at the University of Connecticut and in a greenhouse and farm settings. | The project is broken down into 3 separate but related work efforts called Experiments. EXPERIMENT 1 Solids Separation The objective of Experiment 1 is to research methods of manure solids separation to reduce water content consistently to facilitate composting. The solids separation has been accomplished with a single stage screw press but this alone it is not practical to routinely control the moisture content of the solids separated to the degree and consistency needed. High and inconsistent moisture levels in the solids that feed the in-vessel composter have resulted in inconsistent modification of fiber characteristics. These variations in the fibers cause variation in the quality of the molded pots. Investigation of the options to make the separation a proven two step process will be researched EXPERIMENT 2 Bio-gas fuel The objective of Experiment 2 is to research methods required to replace indirect fired oil heat with direct fired bio-gas in the drying ovens.
Biogas is produced from the Freund manure digester. Biogas is a potential fuel, available for manufacturing horticultural containers. Because bio-gas is a low heat fuel, it is necessary to direct fire a dryer to reasonably use the gas. The primary concern with direct fired bio-gas is that it will impart an odor or other undesirable properties(effecting horticultural performance) to the pots or deposit by -products of combustion that are harmful to plant development EXPERIMENT 3 Phytotoxicity The objective of Experiment 3 is to research the plant growth characteristics using the horticultural containers. Previous trials with different formulations of manure pots have produced inconsistent results. In some trials manure pots were superior to conventional peat pots, and apparently provided available nutrients. In some cases, manure pots were inferior, but the cause was not evident. The production process has evolved to the point that re-evaluation of current process pots is warranted.
The changes induced with the work in experiments 1 and 2 also cause the need to test the effect, if any, of those changes. The objectives of this research are: 1. To evaluate manure pots for effects on plant growth prior to transplant. This objective will include the effects of source material characteristics on the performance of manure fiber pots. The primary focus will be on the potential for growth stimulation from nutrients supplied by the pots, and potential negative effects including stunting or phytotoxicity. 2. To investigate cause(s) if stunting or phytotoxicity is observed. 3. To evaluate physical properties of manure pots relevant to production and transplanting, including durability and root breakthrough. |
| ANAEROBIC DIGESTION OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD WASTE BIOMASS FOR THE EFFICIENT PRODUCTION OF HIGH QUALITY BIOGAS | 0200286 | Schanbacher, F. L. | 04/01/2004 | 09/30/2009 | COMPLETE | COLUMBUS | anaerobic digestion, biomass, manures, food waste, methane, biogas, hydrogen, energy sources, waste utilization, waste, renewable resources, production efficiency, recycling, systems development, engineering, engines, fuel cells, process development, new technology, energy conversion, animal waste, snack foods, dairy cattle, corn silage, rumen fluid, sludge, energy production | This research initiative is rooted in the need for alternative energy sources that are renewable and competitive with imported petroleum fuels. Nearly all of the agricultural production entities, whether crop, horticultural, or animal in nature, create significant quantities of waste biomass. Closed system anaerobic digestion of these wastes offers the opportunity to produce a clean form of fuel (methane and/or hydrogen) with minimal environmental emissions | Initially this research is to develop laboratory scale anaerobic digestion systems to determine the metabolic and nutritional requirements of digesters for efficient conversion of diverse biomass feedstock types to biogas energy. Secondly, it is important to develop sensitive analytical technologies to monitor metabolic changes of feedstocks during biodigestion as well as define the purity of biogas produced as a necessary guide in the development of anaerobic process strategies. Sequentially, it is important to scale anaerobic digestion of biomass to produce competitive quantities of clean biogas for reliable power for process heat, combustion or turbine engines, or solid-oxide fuel cells. Finally, we intend to integrate biomass utilization and energy conversion technologies for a holistic environmental and energy conversion strategy to provide effective energy production and waste remediation. |
| Milk Parlor Wastewater Treatment/Reuse - A Pilot Study for the Tropical Island Application | 0196774 | Yang, P. Y. | 10/01/2003 | 09/30/2006 | COMPLETE | HONOLULU | biological treatment, dairies, waste water, water treatment, pilot studies, hawaii, tropical areas, water reuse, waste disposal, water use efficiency, dairy cattle, water resources, agricultural engineering, environmental quality, anaerobic conditions, organic matter, performance evaluation, production systems, livestock production, water quality, biogas, fertilizers, waste utilization | Centrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) needs to obtain a permit in the year of 2006 to discharge their wastewater. Milk parlor wastewater requires to update the current treatment and reuse technology. This project will provide a pilot study to obtain necessary treatment and reuse information. This project will eliminate the odor problem, improve water quality for reuse, and reuse biogas and fertilizer. | The main objective of this project is to install and investigate a pilot plant study of a simple two-stage of anaerobic bio-nest reactor and a one stage of entrapped mixed microbial cell reactor to be integrated with the existing milk parlor wastewater treatment and reuse systems in order to improve the environmental quality of an animal feeding operation system. Specific objectives for this study are included as follows: 1) To evaluate the process performance of each bioreactor regarding organic and nutrient removal. 2) To develop a set of design and operation criteria for potential integration of existing wastewater treatment/reuse systems to meet the regulatory requirement and promote the friendly agricultural production system. |
| Animal Manure and Waste Utilization, Treatment and Nuisance Avoidance for a Sustainable Agriculture | 0191080 | Theegala, C. | 10/01/2001 | 09/30/2007 | COMPLETE | SHREVEPORT | livestock, pollution control, animal waste, water quality, environmental impact, manures, waste treatment, sustainable agriculture, agricultural engineering, waste management, land application, optimization, waste utilization, process development, dairy cattle, pastures, fecal coliforms, runoff, rain simulation, measurement, monitoring, nitrogen, phosphorus, nutrient balance, crop residues, aquaculture, composting, automation, control systems | Grazing of cattle and land application of animal manure are common agricultural practices. Assessment of pollutant transport from grazed pastures and development of treatment options for animal manures are needed in order to protect Louisiana's water resources. The water quality impacts of grazing dairy cattle on pasture will be studied in regard to fecal coliform content in runoff water. As part of an ongoing study, pasture plots will be artificially dosed with dairy cow manure in a manner similar to natural deposition during grazing. | 1. Develop management tools, strategies, and systems for land application of animal manures and effluents that optimize efficient, environmentally friendly utilization of nutrients and are compatible with sustained land and water quality. 2. Develop, evaluate, and refine physical, chemical and biological treatment processes in engineered and natural systems for management of manures and other wastes. |