Progress 03/20/06 to 08/01/07
Outputs
Progress Report Objectives (from AD-416) The objective of this cooperative research project is to evaluate gasification technology as a method for adding value to fish processing by-products. The specific goals are: 1.) To evaluate different components of salmon discards (heads, frames, viscera) for levels of moisture, fat, protein, and ash prior to gasification 2.) To gasify the different salmon samples and measure the combustible gases that are produced Approach (from AD-416) Alaska�s fishing industry generates over one million metric tons of fish by-products each year. In some locations these byproducts can be converted into a low value, high ash fish meal, however smaller processors often use the grind-and-dump method of disposal. Gasification is an emerging technology that has proven successful with other food processing byproducts. During gasification, a carbonaceous feedstock material is heated in a reducing atmosphere to produce an exhaust gas composed of combustible hydrocarbons. Using this technology, fish by- products can be converted into a valuable source of energy, thereby eliminating the accumulation of wastes, and increasing the overall value of the fish. Evaluation of salmon byproducts as feedstock: Moisture and fat contents are critical when preparing materials for gasification. Different components of salmon (whole fish, heads, frames, and viscera) will be evaluated for moisture, fat, protein, and ash prior to gasification. Base energy values will also be determined for each sample using calorimetry. Since good quality salmon oil can command a high price, attempts will be made to cold-press the fish before gasification, to preserve the valuable oil. Lower quality oil will also be removed for use as a fuel. Pressing the samples before gasification will significantly decrease the moisture content and further improve the efficiency of the process. High moisture samples will need to be co- combusted with the proper ratio of dry material, such as cardboard or other fiber sources. Quantifying combustible gases: Salmon samples from Fairbanks will undergo gasification trials at Oklahoma State University, where the dry to wet waste ratio will be determined to maximize gasification efficiency. The ash content from each sample will also be collected to aid in evaluation of the efficiency of the burn. Experimental Design - 4 sample types (pink salmon heads, viscera, frames, and whole fish) - 3 treatment conditions (homogenized raw material, homogenized and partially dried samples, pressed samples with reduced oil and moisture content) - 2 final moisture contents for combustion (as determined through pilot studies) - 3 replicates for statistical purposes This will involve a minimum of 72 samples for gasification (4X3X2X3= 72) Determination of a net balance of energy: The gasification process requires energy in order to convert the biological wastes into producer gas. The net balance of energy derived from gasification will be calculated for the most promising conditions. This information is required to fully evaluate the economic viability of this process for disposal of fish byproducts in small Alaskan communities. Calculations will include energy used during drying or pressing of samples prior to gasification. Publication of research in a peer-reviewed journal: This research should result in at least one publication in a peer- reviewed journal. Documents SCA with OK State U. Significant Activities that Support Special Target Populations This report serves to document research conducted under a specific cooperative agreement between ARS and the Oklahoma State University. Additional details of the research can be found in the report for the parent CRIS 5341-31410-003-00D, Converting Alaska Fish By-Products Into Value Added Ingredients and Products. The ADODR monitored project activities for this research with conference calls, e-mail communications, and a site visit on April 19, 2007. Alaska�s fishing industry generates over one million metric tons of fish by-products each year. In some locations, these by-products can be converted into fish meal. However, smaller processors often use the grind- and-dump method of disposal. Gasification is an emerging technology that has proven successful for converting food processing wastes into energy. During gasification, a carbonaceous feedstock material is heated (above 700� C) in an oxygen-deficient atmosphere to produce an exhaust gas composed of combustible hydrocarbons. Using this technology, fish by- products could potentially be converted into a valuable source of energy, thereby eliminating the accumulation of fish processing wastes, and increasing the overall value of the fish. In this study, different waste components (heads, frames, and viscera) from Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) were evaluated for their suitability for combustion using a small-scale, fixed-bed, updraft gasifier. High moisture samples were mixed with wood pellets to achieve a final moisture content of 20%. To make the gasification process positive for net energy, the release during combustion must exceed the heat needed to evaporate moisture in the biomass. Currently, all samples have been subjected to gasification. However, the net balance of energy has not been calculated for the most promising conditions, so economic viability of using gasification for disposal of fish by-products is not yet known.
Impacts
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Publications
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