International Biomass Conference & Expo: Using waste streams

Biomass Magazine
May 2010
By Lisa Gibson
Posted May 5, 2010, at 3:45 p.m. CST

The two challenges to effective and widespread use of waste streams from the livestock and biofuels industries are controlling air-deposited nutrients and greenhouse gas emissions, according to David Bracht, attorney with Husch Blackwell Sanders LLP and speaker at the International Biomass Conference & Expo.

Livestock operations are growing in size and that means growing waste streams, while biofuels operations are facing increased regulations and an emphasis on carbon footprint reduction, he said. Both problems can be addressed by biomass energy technologies. “Use nature as a solution,” Bracht said.

Most existing animal waste stream systems use anaerobic digestion, as it is the easiest, he said, but there’s room for improvement. “The next generation of these systems will go beyond just methane,” he said, adding that advanced systems can increase energy capture up to three times the Btu value. “You really have to have an end user in mind,” he cautioned prospective developers, emphasizing that the user needs to be close to the operation.

Read more