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Title: Anaerobic fermentation of agricultural residues: potential for improvement and implementation. Seventh quarter progress report, December 16, 1977--March 15, 1978

Abstract

This is the seventh progress report of an on-going three year research effort to contribute to the development of a new and/or improved technology that will result in wide spread use of an anaerobic fermentation in agriculture to generate a renewable clean energy source. Activities are now concentrating on full-scale and pilot-scale demonstration of simplified fermentors for manures. Activities for the seventh quarter year, extending from December 16, 1977 to March 15, 1978, have included the following: completion of construction of the full scale conventional control fermenter; completion of construction, testing and startup of the random mix fermenter; installation of feed and effluent lines, electrical wiring, boilers, gas lines and controls; successful testing of the ram pump; conclusion of the 35/sup 0/C studies with the pilot scale plug flow fermenter and the initiation of the low temperature (25/sup 0/C) studies; and preparation of a detailed outline to the design manual. As of March 15, 1978, the overall progress achieved with the major components of the project was estimated to be about 2.5 months behind the work plan schedule. As detailed in the last progress report, much of this delay has been due to the winter weather (i.e., cold temperatures, snow,more » frozen ground, etc.) which has interfered with excavation and other outdoor construction activities.« less

Authors:
; ; ; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY (USA). Coll. of Agriculture and Life Sciences
OSTI Identifier:
6603659
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 6603659
Report Number(s):
COO-2981-7
DOE Contract Number:
EY-76-S-02-2981
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
09 BIOMASS FUELS; MANURES; ANAEROBIC DIGESTION; METHANE; BIOSYNTHESIS; CHEMICAL REACTORS; CONSTRUCTION; RESEARCH PROGRAMS; TEMPERATURE EFFECTS; AGRICULTURAL WASTES; ALKANES; BIOCONVERSION; CRYOGENIC FLUIDS; DIGESTION; FLUIDS; HYDROCARBONS; MANAGEMENT; ORGANIC COMPOUNDS; PROCESSING; SOLID WASTES; SYNTHESIS; WASTE MANAGEMENT; WASTE PROCESSING; WASTES 090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989); 140504 -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)

Citation Formats

Jewell, W.J., Guest, R.W., Loehr, R.C., Price, D.R., Gunkel, W.W., and Van Soest, P.J.. Anaerobic fermentation of agricultural residues: potential for improvement and implementation. Seventh quarter progress report, December 16, 1977--March 15, 1978. United States: N. p., 1978. Web. doi:10.2172/6603659.
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Jewell, W.J., Guest, R.W., Loehr, R.C., Price, D.R., Gunkel, W.W., & Van Soest, P.J.. Anaerobic fermentation of agricultural residues: potential for improvement and implementation. Seventh quarter progress report, December 16, 1977--March 15, 1978. United States. doi:10.2172/6603659.
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Jewell, W.J., Guest, R.W., Loehr, R.C., Price, D.R., Gunkel, W.W., and Van Soest, P.J.. Sun . "Anaerobic fermentation of agricultural residues: potential for improvement and implementation. Seventh quarter progress report, December 16, 1977--March 15, 1978". United States. doi:10.2172/6603659. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/6603659.
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@article{osti_6603659,
title = {Anaerobic fermentation of agricultural residues: potential for improvement and implementation. Seventh quarter progress report, December 16, 1977--March 15, 1978},
author = {Jewell, W.J. and Guest, R.W. and Loehr, R.C. and Price, D.R. and Gunkel, W.W. and Van Soest, P.J.},
abstractNote = {This is the seventh progress report of an on-going three year research effort to contribute to the development of a new and/or improved technology that will result in wide spread use of an anaerobic fermentation in agriculture to generate a renewable clean energy source. Activities are now concentrating on full-scale and pilot-scale demonstration of simplified fermentors for manures. Activities for the seventh quarter year, extending from December 16, 1977 to March 15, 1978, have included the following: completion of construction of the full scale conventional control fermenter; completion of construction, testing and startup of the random mix fermenter; installation of feed and effluent lines, electrical wiring, boilers, gas lines and controls; successful testing of the ram pump; conclusion of the 35/sup 0/C studies with the pilot scale plug flow fermenter and the initiation of the low temperature (25/sup 0/C) studies; and preparation of a detailed outline to the design manual. As of March 15, 1978, the overall progress achieved with the major components of the project was estimated to be about 2.5 months behind the work plan schedule. As detailed in the last progress report, much of this delay has been due to the winter weather (i.e., cold temperatures, snow, frozen ground, etc.) which has interfered with excavation and other outdoor construction activities.},
doi = {10.2172/6603659},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978},
month = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978}
}
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DOI:  10.2172/6603659
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  • The Cornell University project on production of methane from agricultural residues has as its main goal the development of a low-cost methane gas generation system for use on small agricultural operations. Five different types of anaerobic fermentor reactor designs are presently being operated, with the majority of effort focused on two full scale reactors (both about 35m/sup 3/) designed to process the residues produced by 65-cow dairies. Three pilot units (5m/sup 3/ volume) are being operated to determine the limits of operation variables -- temperature, labor inputs, mixing, and bedding composition. Variables being evaluated with the pilot reactors include: temperaturemore » of operation (25/sup 0/C and 35/sup 0/C), straw and sawdust bedding addition, intermittent feeding (once per day to once per week), mixing (none to once per 4 days), and moisture content (90 percent to 60 percent moisture). The low-cost full scale plug flow reactor has now been operated for nearly one year, including the winter with the lowest temperature (down to minus 25/sup 0/C) for the longest period recorded for the northern New York area. Preliminary analysis of the data indicates more efficient solids conversion with the plug flow design (41 percent TVS destruction efficiency) than with the completely mixed full scale system (31.7 percent TVS destruction efficiency) when operating at a 30-day hydraulic retention time at 35/sup 0/C. Although analysis of the thermal data is incomplete, comprehensive heat loss studies were conducted during the cold period.The efficiency of the boiler-hot water heating system varied bewteen 40 and 55 percent. The net energy production during the coldest conditions (worst case) was estimated to be 44 percent at a 15-day HRT at 35/sup 0/C with the low-cost plug flow system. Considerable operatonal problems with the full scale systems occurred during the coldest winter period; but these problems were not caused by the weather.« less

  • This is the tenth quarter progress report describing the activities of an on-going three-year research effort to facilitate the development of new and/or improved technology that will result in the widespread implementation of anaerobic fermentation as a source of renewable energy for small-scale agriculture. The progress of events in the last three months contributing to the continued demonstration of the simplified reactor concept at the full-scale level in the conversion of dairy farm manure residues to methane is described.

  • Results obtained in the development of the technical, economic, and practical feasibility of using anaerobic digestion on small-scale farms are reported. All tests are being run with dairy cattle manure. Performance data for the pilot scale random mixed fermenter and the plug flow fermenter are tabulated and briefly discussed. The construction of the full-scale plug flow fermenter and control unit is complete and the units are into the first set of operating conditions. Serious gas leakage problems have developed and steps are being taken to remedy these. (JSR)

  • Five different types of anaerobic fermentor reactor designs were operated, with the majority of effort focused on two full scale reactors (both about 35m/sup 3/), each designed to process the manure residues from up to 65 dairy cows. Three pilot units (5m/sup 3/ volume) are being operated to determine the limits of operation variables - temperature, labor inputs, mixing, and bedding composition. The low-cost full scale plug flow reactor has now been operated for more than one year, including the winter with the lowest temperature for the longest period recorded for the northern New York area. During the twelfth quartermore » the full scale plug flow and conventional control reactors were tested in parallel at new conditions of 15 days and 10 days HRT, 35/sup 0/C and 10 to 12% TS manure feed. Steady state results for the 15 day HRT condition once more indicated a more efficient solids conversion with the plug flow design (34.1% TVS destruction efficiency) than with the completely mixed full scale system (27.8% TVS destruction efficiency) when operated on dairy manure (13% TS) at 35/sup 0/C. No serious operational problems have been encountered with either full scale reactor during the twelfth quarter. Thermal data from the plug flow reactor has now been obtained for a full year cycle. The apparent overall efficiency of the boiler and reactor heating systems varied between 40 and 55%. In order to translate the temperature and operating data of the plug flow unit into a comprehensible energy balance, a computer model for the prediction of energy production and for the description of conducted heat losses and feed heating requirements was developed. Data analysis and the development of certain sections of the final report were given considerable attention throughout the twelfth quarter. The preparation of the farmer's feasibility manual was also initiated during this period.« less

  • ; ; ; ...
    Progress is reported in a research effort to promote the development of new and/or improved technology to facilitate and promote the widespread use of anaerobic fermentation in agriculture as a source of renewable, clean energy. Activities for this quarter included: completion of the final draft of the final report describing the findings of the first year of the project; excavation and site preparation; construction of the full scale plug flow and pilot scale random mixed fermentors; installation of the ram pump manure delivery system; construction of two buildings to house controls and appurtenances; and continued operation of the pilot scalemore » plug flow fermentor. (JGB)« less