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Irrigation Energy is part of a series of Efficiency Checklists and Topics that can help you to assess all areas of your farming operation for energy efficiency and find ideas to save energy and reduce costs. For links …
How Much Heat Does BioFuel Have?
Introduction
There is no simple, single number, useful for all situations, to calculate the amount of energy in a fuel.
When biomass (or any fuel) is combusted, the products are heat, carbon dioxide, ash and water vapor. Hot water vapor, formed as part of the combustion reaction, has quite a …
Fuels and Alternate Heat Sources for Commercial Greenhouses
Corn furnace with fuel. Photo by Vern Grubinger, University of Vermont Extension, Creative Commons
Which fuel is best for heating a greenhouse? The right answer depends on price, convenience, and availability. Some fuels have more “heat per dollar” and some heating units have a greater efficiency. Others are especially easy to use. All of these factors need to be considered when deciding what fuel to use. The most common fuels for greenhouse heating are natural gas, propane, and fuel oil, …
Farm Shop Energy Efficiency Checklist and Tips
Farm shop. Photo courtesy of Carl Pedersen
Farm Shop Energy is part of a series of Efficiency Checklists and Topics that can help you to assess all areas of your farming operation for energy efficiency and find ideas to save energy and reduce costs. For links to other articles in the Efficiency Checklists and Topics series, see Additional Resources at the end of this article.
The farm shop is often the second most used building during the winter next to …
Processing Biomass Into Biogas
Anaerobic Digestion of Animal Manures: Understanding the Basic Processes
…Biogas Utilization and Cleanup
Introduction
Biogas generated from anaerobic digestion processes is a clean and environmentally friendly renewable fuel. But it is important to clean, or upgrade, biogas before using it to increase its heating value and to make it useable in some gas appliances such as engines and boilers.
Biogas Utilization
While most large farms use their biogas for heat and power, it is worthwhile to consider all the options before deciding which path to take, including direct sale of biogas to an …
Anaerobic Digesters and Biogas Safety
When manure is anaerobically digested, the biogas produced is primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide, with lesser amounts of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and other gases. Each of these gases has safety issues. Overall, biogas risks include explosion, asphyxiation, disease, and hydrogen sulfide poisoning.
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| Image: US Municipal Supply Company. |
Extreme caution is necessary when working with biogas. Adequate ventilation, appropriate precautions, good work practices, engineering controls, and adequate personal protective equipment will minimize the dangers associated with biogas. Wherever possible, …
Uses of Solids and By-Products of Anaerobic Digestion
Anaerobic Digestate Pile, Scenic View Dairy, MI. Photo: M.C. Gould, MSU Extension
Anaerobic digestion generates a wide range of byproducts that farmers can use in their farming operations or sell. Beyond biogas used to generate electricity or as fuel, and liquids used for fertilizer or soil amendments, there are solid byproducts, which have a wide range of applications.
Table of Contents:
…Pathogen Reduction in Anaerobic Digestion of Manure
Benefits of Anaerobic Digestion of Manure in Reducing Pathogens
Manure is a biologically active material that hosts and supports many microorganisms and thus can seldom be considered “pathogen free.” Certain manure handling techniques and methods, however, can limit the production and multiplication of such pathogens. Common sense must be used when making manure handling decisions. Pathogens are microbes such as bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and other organisms that cause disease. These pathogens persist commonly in animal manures. For more information …
Environmental Benefits of Anaerobic Digestion
The manure handling system of any farm is made up of many different components, each with a different function and purpose. An anaerobic digester, although only one component of the system, can greatly improve the environmental performance and efficiency of the overall system. The main effect of anaerobic digestion is conversion of organic matter to biogas. This conversion has many potentially beneficial environmental and management side effects.
Odor reduction
By removing organic matter, the digester reduces the organic matter-loading and …