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Title: Integrated energy system centered around an animal sciences farm

Conference · · Alternative Energy Sources; (United States)
OSTI ID:6889478

New Mexico State University has proposed to build a $2.5 million demonstration facility centered about an animal sciences farm. The farm would have a 200-head dairy herd, 500 sheep, 250 hogs, and 50-250 beef cattle. Besides producing milk, meat, and wool, the farm would process the animal wastes to make methane for electrical generation and to grow algae or other high-protein feed. The facilities would be arranged so that the wastes could be flushed with water into an anaerobic digester by gravity flow. The arrangement would be designed to minimize the cost of handling feed, yet facilitate animal care. The buildings would be solar heated. Methane produced in the digester would be scrubbed with water to remove carbon dioxide, then used to power two electrical generators. Methane production would be sufficient to provide at least 90% of the farm's electrical energy and 100% of the steam needed by the feed mill. Waste heat from the generator engines would provide the energy needed for water heating. Daily energy requirements are estimated to be 229 kWh (electrical), 1.31 GJ (water heating) and 3.68 GJ (steam).

Research Organization:
New Mexico Solar Energy Institute New Mexico State University Las Cruces, New Mexico
OSTI ID:
6889478
Report Number(s):
CONF-801210-
Journal Information:
Alternative Energy Sources; (United States), Vol. 7; Conference: 3. Miami international conference on alternative energy sources, Miami Beach, FL, USA, 15 Dec 1980
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English