SBIR-STTR Award

This USDA SBIR Phase I project is a feasibility stud, for economically producing clean and marketable fuels from agricultural residues and biomass matcruls using an innovative thermal treatment technology. With cost of disposal rising, solid wastes are typically landfilled or burned with emission of toxic compounds. EnerTech's innovative Slurry Carbonization technology will convert biomass to a uniform and essentially salt-free pumpable slurry fuel with a heating value greater than the original solid waste. The objective of this proposal is to determine the fuel characteristics of the product carbonized slurry fuel versus the feed material (animal manure, urban biomass wastes, and/or food processing wastes) and the process conditions. Continuous bench-scale experiments will be conducted using Enertech's 2.2 gallon/hr Process Development Unit. In addition, the emissions and ash characteristics will be determined from combustion of the product carbonized slurry fuel. Continuous bench-scale combustion experiments will be conducted using Energy and Environmental Research Corporation's 100,000 Btu/hr Controlled Temperature Tower. It is anticipated Phase I and II research will establish the EnerTech process as an economically and environmentally desirable method of solid waste disposal. Research work plans have been structured to compile the necessary scientific and engineering data to construct an integrated demonstration facility in Phase III.Applications:In addition to biomass applications, other commercial applications of EnerTech's Slurry Carbonization technology include clean coal combustion and the production of homogeneous slurry fuels from sewage sludge, industrial sludge, pulp and paper mill wastes, Kraft mill black liquor, MSW, RDF, and wood wastes.

Phase I research proved the feasibility of EnerTech's Slurry Carbonization technology for economically producing clean and marketable fuels from high-moisture agricultural residues and wastes, especially animal manures. The Slury Carbonization technology effectively transformed low-grade animal residues, through a moderate temperature and pressure carbonization process, into a uniform and especially salt-free pumpable slurry fuel with a heating value substantially higher than the raw waste. The specific objectives of determining the fuel characteristics of the product carbonized slurry fuel versus the feed material (animal waste) and the process conditions were achieved during Phase I. The overall objective of Phase II is to develop design data for a commercial-scale plant. The specific Phase II objectives and work plan have been structured to provide the technical information necessary for scale-up, including combustion experiments to further characterize trace emissions and ash generated. It is anticipated that Phase II will establish the EnerTech process as an economically and environmentally desirable method for disposal of pig manure and other similar animal waste. Development work plans have been structured to compile the necessary scientific and engineering data to construct an integrated demonstration facility in Phase III.

Anticipated Results/Potential Commercial Applications of Research:
The Slurry Carbonization process to be developed under this Phase II proposal is targeted to meet the needs of Confined Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), particularly those with large animal counts. Clean and economical disposal of animal wastes is a leading problem for the U.S. agricultural industry that current technological alternatives do not adequately address. The integrated process developed in Phase II will be designed to treat these wastes and create a clean, homogenous slurry fuel. In addition to animal manures and agricultural residues, other commercial applications include sewage and industrial sludges, MSW, wood wastes and other biomass.