Grantee Research Project Results

2011 Progress Report: Biomass Gasification for Agricultural Energy Sources and Soil Enrichment

EPA Grant Number: SU834750
Title: 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 Period Covered by this Report: August 15, 2010 through August 14,2011
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 Awards , P3 Challenge Area - Air Quality , P3 Challenge Area - Sustainable and Healthy Communities , Sustainable and Healthy Communities

Objective:

The primary goal of this project is to develop an affordable gasification production system that can cogenerate electricity, heat and soil amendments for agricultural production.

Progress Summary:

A Research Center has been constructed at Resource Wood Inc. The center currently consists of a small green house, storage building, and trailer garage. A new project has been started for application of biochar for agricultural augmentation and water conservation. Four undergraduate students are participating in an independent study course to learn about Green Roof Systems (GRS).

Conclusions:

Appalachian is working to develop a niche in the small scale conversion of biomass to products via pyrolosis. The process must be economically viable. To this end we have identified six revenue streams: 1) cost of waste elimination, 2) production of biochar, 3) carbon sequestration and carbon credits, 4) production of biooil, 5) CHP heat generated, and 6) generation of producer gases. Our challenge is the development of a small scale system that can capitalize on these revenue streams.

Future Activities:

The biochar research will continue in three phases: phase one will be basic production of char using a simple inverted vessel; phase two will also be a batch production but with a retort system that is self heated; the third phase is the design and development of a flow through retort. The design concept has been completed and could lead to two patents.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 4 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

gasification, woodgas, syngas, producer gas, pyrolosis, renewable energy, biochar, biooil

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

Final Report

P3 Phase I:

Biomass Gasification for Agricultural Energy Sources and Soil Enrichment | Final Report

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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.