Feasibility study for anaerobic digestion of agricultural crop residues. Final report

Abstract

This report is the result of a four-month study by Dynatech RID Co. to assess the economic and technical feasibility of producing methane' gas by anaerobic digestion of agricultural crop residues. The intent of the Department of Energy, which financed the preparation of this report, and the Solar Energy Research Institute, which serves as project manager for the anaerobic digestion program, is to use the results of this report t o guide the development of program plans and to provide a reasoned analysis of the role this technology might play in future energy supply systems.The search for economic and renewable energy sources to supply our future national energy needs is at best a complex undertaking, involving many uncertain variables. It is hoped and expected that this report will contribute to an understanding of how the energy available in agricultural crop residues might be developed to help meet those needs.