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Integrating biogas, confined feedlot operations and ethanol production

Description

The requirement for large quantities of grains should not be underestimated. For example, 68,300 tonnes of wheat is needed to produce 25 million litres of ethanol. This wheat tonnage is... More ≫

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The requirement for large quantities of grains should not be underestimated. For example, 68,300 tonnes of wheat is needed to produce 25 million litres of ethanol. This wheat tonnage is approximately 1 per cent of the total wheat production in Alberta. Also, an ethanol production facility consumes significantly high levels of energy. When using biogas as fuel, large amounts of biomass are required to produce a sufficient quantity of biogas. In one case, it was estimated that a feedlot with 28,000 cattle would provide sufficient biomass to provide enough energy for an ethanol facility that could produce 25 million litres of ethanol annually.

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Anaerobic digesters : frequently asked questions

Description

Anaerobic digestion is a process that occurs naturally in the absence of air. During this process, micro-organisms stabilize waste organic matter and release biogas.

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Biogas : cleaning and uses

Description

Biogas consists of methane (CH4) and carbon-dioxide (CO2) along with some trace gases such as water vapour, hydrogen sulphide (H2S), nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen. Carbon dioxide and trace gases... More ≫

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Biogas consists of methane (CH4) and carbon-dioxide (CO2) along with some trace gases such as water vapour, hydrogen sulphide (H2S), nitrogen, hydrogen and oxygen. Carbon dioxide and trace gases such as water vapour and H2S must be removed before the biogas can be used because: the hydrogen sulphide gas is corrosive; water vapour may cause corrosion when combined with H2S on metal surfaces and reduce the heating value

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Economic feasibility of anaerobic digesters

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The typical simple payback for a biogas plant may be about seven years as long as the existing government incentive program is available and biogas energy is produced continuously without... More ≫

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The typical simple payback for a biogas plant may be about seven years as long as the existing government incentive program is available and biogas energy is produced continuously without interruption except for scheduled regular maintenance. Some experiences in North America show that biogas energy production is often interrupted due to unforeseen maintenance and process related issues. Even though anaerobic digestion is a century-old process, the adaptation of this process successfully on the commercial scale for producing energy is still evolving. Frequent interruptions in the process show that the technology and process related knowledge still have room to improve. Despite these drawbacks, the potential for carbon trading and increased consumer awareness regarding practicing environmentally sound and sustainable agricultural production methods will certainly add to the benefits of continuing to work with this technology.

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Anaerobic digesters

Description

The anaerobic digestion process is gaining attention in the agriculture industry because of its potential for renewable energy production and manure stabilization. These potential benefits are... More ≫

Description

The anaerobic digestion process is gaining attention in the agriculture industry because of its potential for renewable energy production and manure stabilization. These potential benefits are significant against the current backdrop of rising energy costs and growing environmental concerns. The process has been adopted in various ways in different parts of the world, predominantly in Europe and the United States. Although knowledge of the process is not yet widespread in Alberta, the agriculture industry is keen to see if anaerobic digestion is suited for its operations.

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