Project: MLMMI 04-01-04
Objective
Determine the economic and technical feasibility of biomass gasification as a rural energy source.
KEYWORDS: gasification, biomass, evaluation, livestock manure, turkey litter, high solids content, hog manure solids, renewable energy, economic feasibility
Performer
D. Hodgkinson,
DGH Engineering Ltd.
Details
Status: Completed
Started: 2004-09-20
Completed: 2006-04-28
Funding Partners: who have contributed to MLMMI in support of this project:
MRAC - $6,000
Manitoba Pork Council and industry groups - $6,000
Performer funding obtained from:
Agri-Energy - $4,000
Charison's Hatchery - $4,000
Amount Funded: $12,000.00
Performer Funded: $8,000.00
Total Cost: $20,000.00
Activity
First Progress Report received on February 10, 2005.
Final report due January 20, 2005.
Extension of the Final Report was granted until March 31, 2005.
Progress Report received on April 8, 2005.
Approved Extension of the Final Report until May 15, 2005.
Final report received April 28, 2006.
Summary
With increased fuel prices and Canada's commitment to the Kyoto protocol, there has been a renewed interest in gasification, an old technology. Charison's Turkey Hatchery, of Gunton, Manitoba, produces approximately 705 kg of litter per hour, and has an average electrical energy demand of 353 kW. A need was identified to create value from this waste that may be able to offset energy costs. A survey of gasification technologies in Manitoba showed that despite a large amount of activity, there is still no off-the-shelf solution available to generate electricity from biomass. Litter samples were collected from several barns and sent to the CANMET Energy Technology Centre in Ottawa, Ontario where bench scale gasification tests were done. These tests showed that the loose litter tended to plug up the system, and only a low quality gas was produced. Further testing was preformed by Innovation Technologies (Ireland) Ltd. of Ballycarry, Northern Ireland on similar litter sourced there. These tests determined that, due to the high ash and water content of the fuel and its loose configuration, it would best be gasified mixed with sawdust in pellet form. Should Charison's install a gasifier on site for the purposes of generating electricity, issues with respect to clinkering and pelletisation would need to be addressed, likely though the development of a gasifier designed specifically for turkey litter. Given this analysis, it is recommended that further development of a gasifier at Charison's be carried out in conjunction with an organisation that has expertise in gasification for the purposes of electricity generation, through the development of a functional on-site prototype.