ARF22 - Evaluation of agricultural feedstocks for the production of biogas via anaerobic digestion

| Alternative Renewable Fuels - Project Summaries 2007-08 |

Researcher:

Ron Fleming, University of Guelph - Ridgetown Campus

Objectives:

1. Assess the suitability of different agricultural by-products, mainly related to vegetable production and processing, as feedstocks for the production of biogas (containing methane).
2. Determine the appropriate handling, processing and storage requirements for different feedstocks.
3. Determine the optimum conditions to maximize methane production.
4. Collect data to assess the economic potential of using vegetable wastes as energy feedstocks.
5. Measure the nutrient quality of the effluent generated from different input crops.
6. Use the unit as an educational tool at events such as the Outdoor Farm Show
   
   

Expected Benefits:

1. Because of the emphasis on assessing the value of waste fresh vegetable crops and vegetable food processing wastes as energy feedstocks, this study will be of greatest benefit to Ontario growers currently producing vegetables and also to vegetable processors. The results will be transferable to other horticultural and field crop commodities such as fruits and corn/millet stover.

2. It is expected this research will produce baseline knowledge on the operation of an anaerobic digester using vegetable wastes as the primary feedstock. Information on the processing and storage of feedstock material, the energy potential of various crops and the economics of using vegetable wastes to produce energy will also be gained.

3. This study will provide information on the practical and economic feasibility of using waste fresh vegetable crops and food processing wastes as feedstocks for methane production, whether on their own or in a mix containing livestock manures. Such information will be of value to vegetable growers considering adopting this technology as a potential new revenue source for their operation. Growers and processors will be made more aware of the technology through our educational demonstrations at various agricultural events. Finally, livestock producers will be better informed about the impacts of a range of materials that could be available for addition to a manure digester.
   
   

Summary of Results:

Currently not available