The document discusses the feasibility of installing anaerobic digesters at cattle operations in Colorado and the arid West region. It introduces anaerobic digestion and its benefits. It then addresses some of the feasibility problems in the region, such as cold winters and dry climates, which can impact waste quality and digester temperatures. An online decision support tool developed by Colorado State University is presented to help determine technical and economic feasibility of different anaerobic digestion technologies for various waste types and operation sizes.
Feasibility of Installation of Anaerobic Digesters at Cattle Operations and Demonstration of a Decision Support Tool
1. FEASIBILITY OF
INSTALLATION OF
ANAEROBIC DIGESTERS AT
CATTLE OPERATIONS AND
DEMONSTRATION OF A
DECISION SUPPORT TOOL April 4, 2013
Sybil Sharvelle
Jeff Lasker
Catherine Keske
Lucas Loetsher
2. Presentation Overview
Introduction to anaerobic digestion
Feasibility problems in Colorado and arid West
region
Online Decision Tool Developed by CSU
4. Uses for Methane Biogas
Methane Gas
Cogeneration
Electricity Hot Water
Purification to Supply
Natural Gas Lines Boiler
Purification
and
Liquifaction
5. Benefits
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Methane released from animal waste is captured
Displacement of fossil fuels
Improved waste treatment
Pathogen reduction
Carbon removal
Odor control
Renewable source of energy
10. Site Suitability
Digester temperature ideal at 35o
C (98o
F)
Locations with cold winters are not ideal
Waste Quality
Low solids content, < 17% solids
Low inorganic content
Soil
Rocks
Higher organic content, more energy content
17. Colorado – Dry Climate
Average Annual Precipitation In Colorado
Need to Find Nearby Source of Wastewater or Add Groundwater to Waste
18. Problems with Dry Lot
Collection
Dry scrape manure
Contains rocks and sand
Up to 80% TS in arid climate
19. Plug Flow
Slow, requires high retention time
Typically loaded in batches on farm
Rocks and sand will Settle and Build Up
20. Complete Mix
Well mixed
environment
Slightly faster rate
of digestion than
plug flow
High solids material can not be mixed
Sand/Rocks detrimental to moving parts
21. Technical Feasibility for AD
Technical
Feasibility
Good
Technical
Feasibility
Poor
Flush
Dairy
Concrete
Scrape Dry Lot
32. Summary
AD can be a great waste management tool
Care must be taken to ensure technical and
economic feasibility
Online tool available for decision support