Grantee Research Project Results
An Innovative Design for Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Animal Wastes for Sustainable Development in Rural Communities
EPA Grant Number: SU834318Title: An Innovative Design for Anaerobic Co-Digestion of Animal Wastes for Sustainable Development in Rural Communities
Investigators: He, Qiang , Hawkins, Shawn A. , Cox, Chris D.
Current Investigators: He, Qiang , Hawkins, Shawn A. , Cox, Chris D. , Sneed, Caroline , Jacobs, David , Ko, Edward , Zamudio, Esteban , Hsu, Julia , Hsueh, Michael , DeBlois, Reese , Stephens, Timothy , Zhang, Yan , Zhu, Zhenwei
Institution: University of Tennessee
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: I
Project Period: August 15, 2009 through August 14, 2010
Project Amount: $10,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet (2009) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development , P3 Challenge Area - Sustainable and Healthy Communities , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , P3 Awards , Sustainable and Healthy Communities
Objective:
Animal waste poses one of America's most serious pollution problems, because the natural decomposition of livestock manures releases large quantities of pathogens, excess nutrients, and greenhouse gas methane, among other pollutants. To overcome this challenge, the objective of this project is to design and assess the technical and economic feasibility of an innovative anaerobic co-digestion process for the simultaneous treatment of dairy waste and poultry litter
Approach:
To achieve the objective, the following tasks will be performed: 1) Design and develop an innovative anaerobic co-digestion process for the treatment of dairy waste and poultry manure; 2) Assess the technical feasibility of anaerobic co-digestion in lab-scale systems; and 3) Assess the economic feasibility of anaerobic co-digestion of dairy waste and poultry manure in local rural communities.
Expected Results:
This innovative anaerobic co-digestion design will significantly enhance the treatment efficiency of animal waste and the production of biogas as a renewable energy. This will meet not only the need of livestock producers for a sustainable animal waste management strategy, but also the need of the public and society for improved environmental quality. Success of the project will be evaluated by achieving the following: A bench scale anaerobic co-digestion system with reliable and stable operation; identification of optimal operational conditions; increased digestion efficiency and biogas yield; and demonstration of economic feasibility.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 6 publications for this projectJournal Articles:
Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 5 journal articles for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
bio-methane, agricultural waste, sustainable development, bioenergy, climate,Progress and Final Reports:
The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.