On-farm Evaluation and Demonstration of Small-scale Biogas Technology

Project Overview

FW06-325
Project Type: Professional + Producer
Funds awarded in 2006: $20,000.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2009
Region: Western
State: Washington
Principal Investigator:
Chad Kruger
Email
Washington State University

Annual Reports

Commodities

Not commodity specific

Practices

  • Education and Training: demonstration, display, extension, farmer to farmer, on-farm/ranch research, participatory research
  • Energy: bioenergy and biofuels

    Proposal abstract:

    Biogas technology has been used for centuries in Asia to treat organic waste, produce useable products like nutrient-rich fertilizer and soil amendments, reduce odor and other emissions like greenhouse gases and produce renewable energy. Few U.S. farms currently use biogas technology, and currently available commercial plants of U.S. or European design don’t apply to smaller farms. This project will construct and evaluate three different small-scale biogas plants on small farms located in different agro-climates of Washington. The three primary technologies, based on principles of Asian design, are the Chinese fixed-dome digester, the Indian floating-cover digester and the Taiwanese polyethylene tubular digester. These systems, developed and used in tropical and subtropical climates, will need to be adapted for Washington’s cooler climates. The project team will evaluate the biogas facilities and make any adjustments needed, which could include increased insulation, mechanical mixing or bacterial seeding. Results will be dispersed widely through workshops, tours, facts sheets and publications.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.