Economic analysis of small scale bioconversion units in New Mexico. Final report, September 1, 1977-May 31, 1979

Technical Report · Fri Jun 01 04:00:00 EDT 1979

OSTI ID:5699297

Hull, W; Staffeldt, E E; Mauldin, G L; Kemp, M

A study of New Mexico showed that one of the available materials for energy production was biomass. Biomass, such as livestock manure and crop residue, are good source materials for energy production. A study was therefore undertaken to find an economic method for converting biomass from agricultural sources to methane, a substitute for natural gas. Three New Mexico agribusinesses were chosen for analysis, the New Mexico State University Dairy, the McAnally farm egg production facility, and the Pattison Farm, a combined sheep and crop production operation. Each business was visited and an interview conducted with the owner or manager. Operational characteristics and geographic information of each site were documented. Using the information gained in the interviews and literature search, an anaerobic digestion system was designed for each facility. Primary design goals were simplicity, least-cost construction, and safe operation. Several unique features were incorporated in the final design. This includes the use of Hypalon-lined trench with an insulated floating roof. The latter provides for safe operation of the sytem, since an air-methane mixture in the digestion vessel is prevented. Rather than forming a vacuum, the digester top lowers as material is withdrawn from the digester. Two basic digestion systems were designed. They vary only in digester vessel and related component size, not in operation. Each system was evaluated with respect to cost and operational characteristics. An annual worth economic analysis was performed for each agribusiness. This study yielded the net annual worth of the individual systems, which in turn provides the information needed to decide between the alternatives of doing nothing or building an anaerobic digestion facility. Recommendations are given for each business studied.

• Research Organization: New Mexico State Univ., Las Cruces (USA). New Mexico Energy Inst.
• OSTI ID: 5699297
• Report Number(s): NMEI-37
• 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)
29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290200 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Economics & Sociology
299003 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Unconventional Sources & Power Generation-- Other-- (-1989)
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
ANIMALS
BIOCONVERSION
BIOMASS
BIOMASS CONVERSION PLANTS
BIRDS
CATTLE
CHICKENS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
DESIGN
DIGESTION
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
ECONOMIC ANALYSIS
ECONOMICS
ENERGY SOURCE DEVELOPMENT
ENERGY SOURCES
FARMS
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
FLUIDS
FOWL
HYDROCARBONS
MAMMALS
MANAGEMENT
MANURES
METHANE
NEW MEXICO
NORTH AMERICA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
RECOMMENDATIONS
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RUMINANTS
SHEEP
SOLID WASTES
SOUTHWEST REGION
USA
VERTEBRATES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES