Algae culture for cattle feed and water purification. Final report

Technical Report · Fri May 16 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5602920

Varani, F T; Schellenbach, S; Veatch, M; Grover, P; Benemann, J

The feasibility of algae growth on centrate from anaerobic digester effluent and the refeed of both effluent solids and the algae to feedlot cattle were investigated. The digester was operated with dirt feedlot manure. The study serves as a supplement for the work to design a utility sized digester for the City of Lamar to convert local feedlot manure into a fuel gas. The biogas produced would power the electrical generation plant already in service. Previous studies have established techniques of digester operation and the nutritional value for effluent solids as fed to cattle. The inclusion of a single-strain of algae, Chlorella pyrenidosa in the process was evaluated here for its capability (1) to be grown in both open and closed ponds of the discharge water from the solids separation part of the process, (2) to purify the discharge water, and (3) to act as a growth stimulant for cattle feed consumption and conversion when fed at a rate of 6 grams per head per day. Although it was found that the algae could be cultured and grown on the discharge water in the laboratory, the study was unable to show that algae could accomplish the other objectives successfully. However, the study yielded supplementary information useful to the overall process design of the utility plant. This was (1) measurement of undried digester solids fed to cattle in a silage finishing ration (without algae) at an economic value of $74.99 per dry ton based on nutritional qualities, (2) development of a centrate treatment system to decolorize and disinfect centrate to allow optimum algae growth, and (3) information on ionic and mass balances for the digestion system. It is the recommendation of this study that algae not be used in the process in the Lamar bioconversion plant.

• Research Organization: Bio-Gas of Colorado, Inc., Arvada (USA)
• OSTI ID: 5602920
• Report Number(s): NP-2901468; ON: DE82901468
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122 -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
ALGAE
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
ANIMAL FEEDS
ANIMALS
BIOCONVERSION
BIOMASS CONVERSION PLANTS
CATTLE
CHLORELLA
DIGESTION
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
FLUIDS
FOOD
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
GROWTH
MAMMALS
MANAGEMENT
MANURES
MICROORGANISMS
ORGANIC WASTES
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
PROCESSING
RUMINANTS
UNICELLULAR ALGAE
VERTEBRATES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES
WATER TREATMENT