[USCC] Energy

[CAVM@aol.com]

Bobby, biomass of nearly every type, even compost, has energy value.  
Typically this ranges from 6000 to 8000 BTU per pound on a dry basis.
 
If we were to start with wet or moist material it has to be fairly dry to  
extract the energy via gasification or even combustion. However, the energy  
production process typically has substantial waste heat which can be used 
in the  drying process. Solar and air drying also are helpful. 
 
If you are thinking of electrical production you can expect 2.5 - 3 pounds  
of 20% mc fuel to be consumed for each kW of electrical output. This  
assumes that the gas produced by the unit has an engine and generator as its  
power gen.set.
 
This same gas and engine can be used to pump water, extrude feed or  
whatever use you want to which you want to put mechanical energy.  The heat  can 
be used to distill water, heat a greenhouse, provide process heat for  
manufacturing or drying.
 
As Frank pointed out, the instructions and plans are widely available on  
the internet. A few hours of operating the system will provide a basic  
knowledge of the art of producing power.
 
Being able to encourage year around crop production via greenhouse  
operations can provide you with some of the highest end uses of your compost,  
compost tea, and other products.  By being able to recommend an energy  source 
for your potential customer you can have a substantial economic return  for 
your own enterprise.
 
Neal Van Milligen
cavm at aol.com
 
 
In a message dated 6/17/2009 12:40:44 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
compost-request at mailman.cloudnet.com writes:

Hi  Neil,

I'd like to find out more about gassification. How do you convert  biomass
etc and what is the measure of conversion cost? There would  probably be a
need to dehydrate the biomass before it can be gassified.  This needs to be
added to the conversion cost  equation.

Regards,

Bobby SW  Chin
Malaysia

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