Biogas Jeff Hoover
Potential Gas Supply Biogas is derived from anaerobic (in lack of oxygen) digestion of biomaterial. Primarily used in engine-generators and heat generation May be upgraded to biomethane, equivalent form to Natural Gas.
Source Dairies Cow manure California 3.6 million bone dry tons (BDT) (zero-moisture content) of manure
Harvesting Source Flushed freestall Scraped freestall Hosed and piped off Scraped freestall Dry lot w/ flushed freestall Scraped dry lot (85-90%)
Other sources Slaughterhouse waste material Hog, turkey/poultry manure Crop Residues Food Processing Wastes Landfill food, green, composite organic waste.
Digestion plants Ambient-temperature Covered Lagoon Complete mix Not temperature controlled, thin waste Low tech, cheapest 40 day retention time Complete mix Heated, thicker waste 15+ day retention time Plug Flow Thicker waste
Digestion types Thermophilic Mesophilic Optimal for quickest production 125-135°F Mesophilic 95-105°F
Conclusion, Output “Technical Potential” of Methane production 23 billion cubic feet per year 220MWe Total statewide demand of NG = 2,200 billion cubic feet per year 23 billion cft/yr equates to ~1% of NG demand
Questions? Does this biogas appear to be a useful way of producing heat/electricity/vehicle transportation? Why or why not? What drawbacks can be seen from these observations?