Biogas In Agriculture

The Potential for Livestock Waste to Act as an Alternative Source of Energy

Jason Boothe GEOG 317, Fall 2010 Dr. Tash December 9, 2010

Table of Contents
Introduction. ................................................................................................................................................................... 1 What is Biogas? How is it produced? .................................................................................................................... 1 Uses of Biogas. ................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Benefits of Using Biogas. ............................................................................................................................................ 3
Environmental ................................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Energy ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Economics ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Drawbacks of Biogas Usage. ..................................................................................................................................... 6

Environmental ................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Energy ................................................................................................................................................................................................. 7 Economics ......................................................................................................................................................................................... 8

Conclusion........................................................................................................................................................................ 8

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Introduction. As movements continue towards green and sustainable ways to use and harness

energy, the agriculture sector has been looking at ways to become more green and sustainable. For agriculture these movements have been examining ways to decrease the usage of fossil fuels but limiting the passing on of energy cost to the consumer of their products when using alternative energy sources. One possible alternative energy source being investigated is that of biogas. In agriculture, the usage of biogas is would be mostly constricted in the livestock area, where there is adequate raw materials produced for biogas production. However the question remains, in the agricultural sector of North America, is biogas usage and production on-site an cost-effective alternative to fossil fuel use, and does its use allow for a more sustainable, green, and environmentally conscious agriculture sector.
What is Biogas? How is it produced? Biogas is a combustible mixture of gases produced by micro-organisms when

livestock manure and other biological wastes are allowed to ferment in the absence of air in closed containers. The major constituents of biogas are methane (CH4, 60 percent or more by volume) and
Biogas In Agriculture
Figure 1. Diagram showing biogas production and storage. (German) Source: connect.in.com

carbon dioxide (CO2, about 35 percent); but small amounts of water vapor, hydrogen sulphide (H2S), carbon monoxide (CO), and nitrogen (N2) are also present (Kangmin, 2006) The composition of biogas varies according to the biological material. The methane content of biogas produced from night soil (human excreta), chicken manure and wastewater from slaughterhouse sometimes could reach 70 percent or more, while that from stalk and straw of crops is about 55 percent. The concentration of H2S in biogas produced from chicken manure and molasses could be as high as 4 000mg/m3, and from alcohol wastewater even higher at 10 000 mg/m3 (Kangmin, 2006) While the natural break down of these waste products produces biogas, for its efficient use a fuel source, a bioreactor system is recommended. The bioreactor breaks down the waste material in a more controlled environment then allowing it to break down naturally, for a more efficient process. These bioreactors range in size and type, dependent on the amount of raw material need to be broken down and the composition of the raw material.
Uses of Biogas. Biogas is mainly used as fuel, like natural gas, while the digested mixture of

liquids and solids, the so called bio-slurry and bio-sludge, are mainly used as organic fertilizer for crops. Biogas can be used directly for cooking and for co-generation of electricity and heat, which is especially feasible when the biogas is used at or near the site of generation. Biogas methane can also be used as fuel for vehicles, and is one of the cleanest biofuels available. For agriculture, this lends the possibility of farm equipment being run on biogas, thus reducing the need to purchase petroleum-based fuels like gasoline or diesel.
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Biogas can be used in ovens and lamps to heat greenhouses and at the same time increase the carbon dioxide concentration to boost photosynthesis in the greenhouse plants and increase yields (Kangmin, 2006).
Benefits of Using Biogas. Environmental The conversion of biological agricultural wastes into biogas, a domestic

renewable fuel source, could help states meet renewable energy requirements and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Used as a substitute for fossil fuels, such as coal and oil for electricity generation, biogas almost immediately replaces two greenhouse gas sources; methane released from untreated manure and coal combustion, with a less carbon-intensive energy source in biogas combustion. While the breakdown of methane, the primary combustible component of biogas, through combustion does release carbon dioxide; it produces carbon dioxide per joule delivered then either coal or oil. Another environmental benefit is the more ecologically sound approach to manure disposal. Manure, the waste excrement produced by livestock on a farm, serves as the primary raw material in biogas production. In the United States, livestock agriculture produces over one billion tons of manure annually. This manure is usually disposed of in open lagoons or stored in manure piles outdoors in the open where it is left to break down. Disposing of manure in these methods, allows for the free release of methane and nitrous oxide, two prominent green house gases with a combined global warming potential of anywhere from 21 to 310 times that of carbon dioxide (Cullar, 2008). The conversion of manure into biogas dramatically reduces the amount of methane and nitrous dioxide being released directly into the atmosphere, by capturing it for use as biogas.
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Further environmental benefits from the conversion of manure into biogas and bio-slurry / bio-sludge are odor reduction, the reduction of the toxicity and pathogen potential of the manure, reduction of weed seed germination derived from manure, conversion of manure into a safer and more effective fertilizer, and the reduction of water contamination from manure runoff into streams and wells (Brown, 2007). The reduction of odors alone may ease pressures on large livestock operations, making such operations more acceptable to permitting agencies and local residents, which in turn may allow for even further expansion of operations (Booz Allen Hamilton, 2007). Energy The potential energy output of biogas from the livestock in the United States could generate approximately 1% of the total energy consumption in the nation. On average, 33-38 kWh/day will be produced per every 1000 ft3 of biogas (Wright, 2001). Replacing the emissions from coal and untreated manure with that of emissions produced from the combustion of biogas has the potential of reducing annual greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation in the United States by nearly 4% (Wright, 2001). While this number could be considered not to be a significant amount, it would be a start, and the reduction in carbon emissions may have economic benefits to farmers. At Royal Farms No. 1 in Tulare, California, hog manure is slurried and sent to a hypalon-covered lagoon for biogas generation. The collected biogas fuels a 70-kilowatt (kW) enginegenerator and a 100 kW engineBiogas In Agriculture
Figure 2:Langerwerf Dairy biogas facility. Source; RCM Digesters

generator. The electricity generated on the farm was able to meet monthly electric and heat energy demands (Abraham, 2007). The Langerwerf Dairy in Durham, California, used cow manure was scraped and fed into a plug flow digester. The biogas produced was used to fire an 85 kW gas engine. The engine operated at a 35 kW capacity level and drove a generator to produce electricity. Electricity and heat generated was able to offset all dairy energy demands (Abraham, 2007).
Economics One of the most prominent financial benefits from on-site bio-gas usage on

farms, is that it has the potential to make an farm energy self-sufficient, by producing its own energy and not relying on outside suppliers. There is also the potential to sell any surplus energy generated to electric utility companies. Also available is the possible to sell bio-solids as a fertilizer to fellow farmers. These bio-solid fertilizers are general consider to be of better quality and more environmental safer then petroleum based fertilizers. A study on biogas feasibility on farms in Nova Scotia, Canada concluded that, non-market benefits from biogas production and usage were valued at approximately CND$15,000. These non-market benefits are primarily composed of environmental benefits such as odor reduction and greenhouse gas emission cuts. For smaller farms, the financial benefit gained from non-market benefits greatly improves the financial feasibility of on-site biogas production (Yiridoe, 2009). Other studies have shown similar results for farms in the United States (Booz Allen Hamilton, 2007). In the United States, farmers interested in demonstrating a cost-effective technology for converting manure into biogas and generating electricity may be eligible for a Renewable Energy Technology Research and Development Grant of up to $50,000.
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Other incentives available through the state's renewable energy program include technical feasibility study grants; business and marketing grants; cash-back rewards for installing renewable energy technologies; and an equipment grants for non-profit organizations (Booz Allen Hamilton, 2007). With the introduction of carbon credit trading programs, farms using anaerobic digesters for the conversion of biological agricultural wastes into biogas converters receive credits for greenhouse emissions reductions. Companies or other organizations could purchase carbon credits from farmers using biogas in order to make up for their excessive carbon emissions. These carbon credit-trading schemes have the potential to supplement the income of the farmers, with the supplement coming from a nonagricultural source. Several greenhouse gases that are mitigated by biogas production are included in these programs, with the carbon value of these gases converted to CO2 equivalents based on their global warming potential (Lazarus, 2007).
Drawbacks of Biogas Usage. Environmental Greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural industry in the United States

amounted to 536 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, representing 7% of total carbon dioxide emissions in the United States. Of this, 51 to 118 million metric tons of carbon dioxide are resulted from livestock manure emissions alone, with an increase being shown in these emissions from 1990 to 2005 (Cullar, 2008). The conversion of manure to biogas will not ultimately reduce all of the 51 million tons of carbon dioxide released from manure. When biogas is used as a fuel it breaks down into carbon dioxide, which is then released into the atmosphere.

Biogas In Agriculture

Biogas produced from from dairy manure typically has 0.2-0.4% hydrogen sulfide. When placed in a low temperature environment hydrogen sulfide can become highly corrosive, due to it converting to sulfuric acid (Wright, 2001). Energy The electric production from biogas depends on the amount and quality of gas as well as the efficiency of the engine appliance. Different individual gas appliances require considerable different quality gas standards, which makes purification and upgrading of the gas necessary. Biogas is not easily compressed. At 2000 lbs. per sq.in it takes about 14 gallons of compressed biogas to equal the energy value of one gallon of diesel fuel. The use biogas for anything but continuous on site consumption would be difficult except in large quantities. In heating applications, methane, a component of natural gas, has a heating value of 912 BTU/ft3, but with the methane levels in biogas being at about 60% of the total, its heating value is 40% lower than pure methane at about 540 BTUs/ft3 (Wright, 2001). This making biogas a less efficient heating fuel as opposed to piped in natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or propane. The growing constraints on transmission lines can severely impact renewable energy development such as biogas when a goal is the sale of excess energy production. The nations transmission grid was built to move electric power from large fossil power plants to population centers. Challenges face the transmission of excess energy produced by smaller scale renewable energy, like biogas. Insufficient capacity in rural areas to move surplus electricity to distant population centers (demand centers), could remove any potential income from being earned (Booz Allen Hamilton, 2007).

Biogas In Agriculture

Economics Biogas production technology displays significant economies of scale with

respect to farm size. This is due to installation costs that are fixed with respect to the size of the operation. Hence, larger farms will gain more of a competitive edge through the use of digesters than will small farms. As of 2007 there were no functioning digesters on U.S. farms with less than 400 cows (Booz Allen Hamilton, 2007). A study on the economic feasibility of on-site biogas energy production for swine operations in Nova Scotia, Canada showed similar results in the economies of scale. Without an incentive program, such as low interest loans to cover start up cost or tax breaks, on-site biogas energy production was found not to be economically feasible for many small farms, those below 600. (Brown, 2007). Start up cost for biogas production and usage on farms are high with the smallest units starting at around $1,000,000. The amount of time that a farm would take to recoup its investment also varies by the size of the farm it which these units are placed, with smaller farms taking an estimated 42 years to recoup their expenditures. For larger farms this recouping time is estimated at less then 10 years. And while nonmarket co-benefits could help defray these costs, it cant be said for certain that these some of these co-benefits will retain their value over the years need to continue to defray the initial cost (Yiridoe, 2009) (Brown, 2007). And while there is the potential for carbon trading schemes to generate income for biogas producing and using farms, its not a guarantee. Carbon trading is a relatively new concept, and has yet to be wildly adopted by either the agriculture (sellers) or industrial (buyers) sectors, the two main players when talking about biogas. With it not being made mandatory or some having some other policy, i.e. a carbon tax, to induce industry to take up purchasing carbon credits, there is virtually no income or market to trade enough of these credits to make a sufficient regular income.
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Conclusion I have no doubts that biogas is a sustainable, relatively carbon neutral,

environmentally friendly alternative fuel for the agriculture sector. And that besides being an alternative fuel, it has substantial other positive benefits such as helping to reduce methane emissions, making more productive and environmentally safer fertilizers, to improving water quality. I would have no problem also activity promoting its implementation and usage on farms across the United States and into Canada. However there is one drawback and a significant one at that. As it stands now, biogas systems are hampered by one thing, the dreaded economy of scale. From the data that I gathered, a biogas system would only be effective on medium to large-scale farm operations, based upon the number of livestock. This is a disappointment. Going from own impressions about farming in Maryland, most farms that deal in livestock do not have herds, and would be on the low end of a medium herd size. Would these biogas systems be good for Maryland farmers? Well based upon the economies of scale, I would be hard pressed to say that most would not, just because of the cost involved. And if it was not for the cost involved would we see more farms implement this technology? There are programs and subsidies offered by the government to help farms of all size to implement biogas systems. But are these funds being used effectively? And since these funds and schemes became available, has their been an increase in biogas systems on farms? Nothing in the data that I have found points to one way or the other, so its yet to be seen.
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But could we be going about this wrong. Is on-site production the most effective way, and are we using the technology in the most effective way? Based upon my research I would have to say no. In China, nearly 30,000 biogas plants supply 40 million households with clean burning biogas. China is looking to supply 300 million rural residents with electricity generated from biogas by 2020. Governments in Africa are looking at biogas as a way of reducing deforestation. In Tanzanias Makete District, 200 biogas plants will be constructed. According to the government, on average, a flock of two cows or seven pigs or 170 poultry is sufficient to provide enough biogas for a familys cooking and lighting needs (Biogas, 2009). A website I came across, http://www.ruralcostarica.com/biogas.ht ml, promotes small scale biogas
Figure 3:Small Scale Biogas system in Costa Rica. Source: Rural Costa Rica

system construction, at what seems to be a low cost, in rural areas of Costa Rica.
Granted we are talking about different cultures, different needs, different cost structures, but, if these areas can put together what seems to be comprehensive plans to

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increase biogas usage, what is preventing us from doing it? Why isnt biogas more in the renewable discussion? To summarize, I do believe that has great potential, and for this country and I think on site production and usage is the most effective way to move forward. However until, until start-up cost go down, or significant incentive is given to adopted the technology for small farms, the technology is going to be predominately limited to large scale agricultural operations

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Bibliography
Abraham, E. R. (2007). Biogas : Can It Be an Important Source of Energy ? Energy , 1 (14), 67-71.

Biogas. (2009). Retrieved 11 21, 2010, from GreenTech Oppertunities:

http://www.greentech-opportunities.com/Sector%20Overview/biogas Booz Allen Hamilton. (2007). Linking Distributed Electricity Production from Alternative Energy Sources to the Traditional Generation and Transmission System. United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Washington. Brown, B. B. (2007). mpact of single versus multiple policy options on the economic feasibility of biogas energy production: Swine and dairy operations in Nova Scotia. Energy Policy , 9 (35), 4597-4610. Cullar, A. D. (2008). Cow power: the energy and emissions benefits of converting manure to biogas. Environmental Research Letters , 3 (3), 034002. Kangmin, L. &.-W. (2006, 10 6). Biogas China. Retrieved 11 21, 2010, from The Institute of Science in Society: http://www.i-sis.org.uk Lazarus, W. F. (2007). The Economics of Anaerobic Digester Operation on a Minnesota Dairy Farm. Review of Agricultural Economics , 29 (2), 349-364. Weiske, A. V. (2006). Mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions in European conventional and organic dairy farming. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment , 112 (2-3), 221-232. Wright, P. (2001). Overview of Anaerobic Digestion Systems for Dairy Farms. Natural Resource, Agriculture and Engineering Service (15). Yiridoe, E. G. (2009). Nonmarket cobenefits and economic feasibility of on-farm biogas energy production. Energy Policy , 37, 1170-1179.

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