Higher energy prices have motivated some hog producers to switch to coal to heat their barns over winter. An alternative solution to this is hog manure. Three integrated waste management initiatives help to address public concern on odour, water contamination, and animal and people welfare. Bio-Terre Systems in Canada is taking the approach of low temperature anaerobic digestion of manure. This system uses special bacteria that require no oxygen to function. The digestion of manure will result in the emission of methane and biogas, which can be used to generate energy. Home Farm Technologies Inc. processes manure through their Enviro Reactor which mechanically and chemically separate solids from liquids. The solids can be either composted or used as fuel in the Energy Reactor or Gasifier to produce steam that runs a turbine generator producing thermal and/or electrical energy. Clear-Green Environmental Inc. has a project in Cudworth, Saskatchewan that produces biogas through anaerobic digestion of hog manure. This biogas is used to fuel a co-generation unit built and operated by SaskPower, producing electrical energy that is delivered into SaskPower’s electrical grid. The digester uses a portion of the thermal energy and a portion is sold to the hog facility. Their focus is to form partnerships with waste producers to build operating plants where the company brings the technology, capital and operations. The waste producer provides the site, contract, and can invest as a partner. Anaerobic digesters are well known and widely used. Advanced technology end-use applications can increase the economic value of biogas.
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