Del Valle Hog Farm energy integrated farm system: Phase 3, Demonstration: Final report

Technical Report · Thu Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1985

OSTI ID:7039016

Berdoll, D

The Energy Integrated Farm System located at the Del Valle Hog Farm has as its objectives the determination and demonstration of the technical and economical feasibility of methane production derived from the anaerobic digestion of swine manure and the reliability of this process as an alternate energy source for the production of fuel alcohol, electricity, and concentrated space heating. Manure from the 150 sow farrow-to-finish swine operation is used as the feedstock for the 4000 ft/sup 3/ anaerobic digestion system. The approximately 6000 ft/sup 3/ of methane-rich biogas produced daily is stored under pressure for ultimate usage throughout the integrated farm system. Large quantities of biogas are utilized directly for space heating of the farrow and nursery buildings. Additionally biogas is combusted in a motor generator for the production of electrical energy. The excess quantity of biogas produces the thermal energy necessary in the fuel alcohol facility for converting the starches in the feedstock grain sorghum into fermentable sugars and for concentrating the product alcohol through the distillation process. The fuel alcohol produced fuels for farm vehicles. A valuable by-product of the anaerobic digestion process, the digested inert and odorless sludge, is utilized as a fertilizer substitute and soil amendment on both coastal Bermuda grass and milo grain sorghum. Economic analyses performed on the various components of the integrated farm system illustrate fuel costs comparable with that of replacement fuels in 1984 dollars improving throughout the useful life of the particular energy component. 15 refs., 52 figs., 17 tabs.

• Research Organization: Del Valle Hog Farm, TX (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC07-84ID12493
• OSTI ID: 7039016
• Report Number(s): DOE/ID/12493-T1; ON: DE87003117
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
090122* -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
AGRICULTURAL WASTES
ALCOHOLS
ALKANES
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
ANIMALS
BIOCONVERSION
DIGESTION
DOMESTIC ANIMALS
FARMS
HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MAMMALS
MANAGEMENT
MANURES
METHANE
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC WASTES
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
SEWAGE
SEWAGE SLUDGE
SLUDGES
SWINE
VERTEBRATES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES