Biogas
Agricultural and animal waste can be converted to methane using a simple technology called a biodigester. Biodigesters come in many varieties. ATC works with partner design firms to optimize biodigesters for specific sites.
From small rural farms to municipal landfills biodigesters are an economical way to create fuel while reducing greenhouse gasses.
ATC has started to assess the potential for sorting municipal solid waste in Latin America to create fuel from organic material using biodigesters. Our preliminary assessment of existing sort data is that there is a much higher percentage of organic material in the solid waste stream of Latin American countries that can be economically converted to biogas, liquid natural gas and methanol. This is due in part to the state of plumbing systems. In most Latin American countries disposals (food grinders) are not compatible with existing waste pipes.
Reference information:
Andrew Barnett, Len Pyle, SK Subramanian. Ottawa Canada: International Development Research Center, (c) 1978.
A write up of biogas is available at:
http://www.fastonline.org/CD3WD_40/JF/432/24-570.pdf
Charcoal
Charcoal can be made from agricultural waste – a process that saves trees and saves money. The process of making charcoal can be artisanal using a simple oil drum or it can be scaled up to create small to medium scale business. Charcoal can also be made from the material left over from extracting oil from oil crops.
Two advantages to using charcoal from agricultural waste are that charcoal, when used in lieu of wood, burns more cleanly thus improving indoor air quality. When made from agricultural waste, agri-charcoal offsets the use of wood and reduces deforestation. A third benefit is that some agri-charcoal has a great taste. You think Mesquite charcoal imparts a good taste? Try charcoal made from bagasse!
Bio-Crude
A fuel similar to crude oil can be made from any agricultural material by heating the ag-material in the absence of oxygen. The resulting gas can be condensed into a crude oil like product that can then be used to produce a variety of hydrocarbon based fuels. There are some limitations to this fuel, it is more corrosive than petroleum based fuel and should be treated accordingly.
Bio-Hydrogen
Bio-Hydrogen is made in a process similar to bio-crude but where the resulting gas is used rather than condensed.
