Grantee Research Project Results
Biomass Gasification for Agricultural Energy Sources and Soil Enrichment
EPA Grant Number: SU834750Title: Biomass Gasification for Agricultural Energy Sources and Soil Enrichment
Investigators: Domermuth, David , Uchal, Michael J. , Houser, James , Doll, Susan , Hobbs, Zach
Current Investigators: Domermuth, David , Uchal, Michael J. , Hobbs, Zach , Urban, Eric J. , Law, Daniel Allen , Labowitz, Ethan , Williams, Landon , Flynt, Asher , Kinsey, Heather , Sink, Sam , Gardner, Benjamin , Reily, Paul , Brundage, Sebastian , Abernathy, Landon , Hackler, Justin , Butler, Virginia , Leon, Andrew , Wallach, Hannah , Dupont, Sophie , Harper, Miranda
Institution: Appalachian State University
EPA Project Officer: Page, Angela
Phase: II
Project Period: August 15, 2010 through August 14, 2012
Project Amount: $74,999
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet - Phase 2 (2010) 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
Description:
Small-scale farmers are dependent on petro-industry products and inefficient biomass uses to warm greenhouses in winter and to fertilize crops. This use of fossil fuels contributes to air and ground water pollution. Greenhouses can be warmed, and soil can be enriched economically and without contributing to climate change. A gasification system that converts biomass into usable gas and biochar can produce fuel to warm greenhouses and provide an organic soil amendment at a low cost to the user.
Objective:
A gasification system tied into agricultural production demonstrates a closed loop process. Agricultural byproduct, such as woodchips or grasses, are processed and dried; then the byproduct is heated to release gases. The gases are scrubbed and used to run an internal combustion engine (ICE). The ICE generates electricity for lighting, processing, and other end uses. Heat is then transferred from the gasifier and generator to warm the greenhouse. Biochar, which contains carbon, is applied to the soil in order to absorb, store, and release soil nutrients. This can potentially increase agricultural yield, which in turn provides more byproducts, which are then dried and fed into the gasifier, thus completing the energy loop and demonstrating a carbon neutral system.
This system has economic, social, and environmental advantages. Extending the growing season can increase farmers’ income and strengthen local food supplies and economies. The system also reduces environmental degradation caused by petro-chemicals. At the farm level, less pollution would be released into the environment. On the large scale, growing and consuming local commodities could reduce transportation and related pollution. All these factors would help to improve the quality of life locally and beyond.
Approach:
With the assistance of local community members, students, faculty and staff, the team will construct different biomass gasification systems that can be quickly modified in order to produce different amounts of heat, electricity, and biochar. The research will be evaluated based on the gasification systems’ ability to produce electricity, usable heat, and carbon rich biochar in desired ratios.
Expected Results:
Phase II will expand on the phase I objectives detailed above; in addition, the team will expand the relationships with economic partners and work to transfer the knowledge base to national community via education programs and the international community via manufacturing partners.
Publications and Presentations:
Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 4 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
syngas, Producer Gas, Wood Gas, Wood Gasification, Sustainable Agriculture, Radiant Heating, Solar Thermal, Hydrogen, Carbon Sequestration, Renewable, Greenhouse,Relevant Websites:
Phase 1 AbstractPhase 1 Final Report
Progress and Final Reports:
P3 Phase I:
Biomass Gasification for Agricultural Energy Sources and Soil Enrichment | Final ReportThe 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.