An Integrated Bioenergy System at UW-Platteville

Chris BaxterUW-Platteville School of Agriculture

UW-Extension Nutrient Management

Project History

• WI Focus on Energy Grant to study feasibility of anaerobic digester systems - 2009– Large-scale “Community” Digester on UWP

Campus (~700 cows)– Small-scale digester on UWP farm (~150 cows)

• Large scale digester more economically feasible, logistically challenging

• Small scale digester not economically feasible as a stand-alone system

Integrated Bioenergy System Concept

Soybeans

Oilseed extraction

Vegetable oilbiodiesel conversion

glycerine

manure

feed

Biogas & electricity

biodiesel

ENERGY!!!

Anaerobic digester

Livestock

Components• Anaerobic digestion of dairy and beef manure

– System sized for 200 cows• Oilseed press and roaster :

– Production of raw oil and meal – Ability to test various oilseeds– Produce meal to meet farm livestock needs

• Biodiesel production system – up to 5000 gal/yr capacity

Oilseed Press and Roaster• “Cold press” system

produces raw veg oil and high protein meal

• Raw oil must be allowed to settle and be filtered before use

• Roaster enhances feed value of meal – necessity for using as livestock feed

Biodiesel Production • Process controlled,

minimizes handling of caustic ingredients

• Temperature controlled – speeds process and improves consistency

• Ability to make small batches (50 gal)– Ideal for

educational/research applications

Anaerobic Digester

• Ability to handle non-manure substrates– Manure from

beef/swine– Glycerine– Cheese whey– Campus food waste

• ~100 kw turbine

• Waste Heat Recovery• Liquid-Solid separation

• Liquids - land spread• Solids – land spread,

use as bedding replacement, or develop into value-added product

Potential for glycerol to increase methane production

0 10 20 30 40 50 600.000

0.100

0.200

0.300

0.400

0.500

0.600

0.700

Daily CH4 ProductionControl

1% pure

1% Crude

Day

L CH

4/L

. day

1.8 X

Oswald Wohlgemut (MSc, 2008), University of Manitoba

Challenges to Overcome

• Integrated energy systems require a high level of management and knowledge of various farm production systems.

• Current energy prices make returns relatively low – long paypack periods

• Off-farm inputs must be stable, plentiful, and transportable.

Potential Outcomes• A unique energy system unlike any currently in

operation• Demonstrate process integration – key to

profitable and sustainable systems on small farms.

• Outstanding educational opportunities for students in multiple majors

• Numerous research possibilities• First step toward development of a

community-based digester.

Sustainable and Renewable Energy Systems Program

• Multi-disciplinary curriculum focused on Sustainable and Renewable Energy

• UWP already has a minor and is developing a new major (SRES)

• Current focus is on Science/Technology and Business/Management

• Student interest in this area is high.

Questions?