The document discusses anaerobic digestion and how it is used at EcoDairy farm. Anaerobic digestion is a process where microorganisms break down organic matter like manure in an oxygen-free tank to produce biogas. EcoDairy uses a plug flow anaerobic digester to break down cow manure which produces biogas used to generate electricity. The digester reduces odors and produces renewable energy while the solid and liquid outputs of the process are used as fertilizer or bedding.

1. ANAEROBIC DIGESTIONAND ECODAIRY’S POWER CYCLE
By: Marafeh Alizadeh, Aiden Luo, Tenzin Ngawang, and Alisher Krymov from Set E
Presented on November 27th 2017 for COMM 1169

2. AGENDA
• Introduction to Anaerobic Digestion (AD)
• Benefits of AD
• EcoDairy
• The AD at EcoDairy
• Facts about EcoDairy
• Explanation of AD process
• Power Cycle of AD
• Conclusion

3. WHAT IS ANAEROBIC
DIGESTION?
• Organic matter is broken down to
micro-organisms in an oxygen free
tank.
• Produces biogas (CH4, CO2)
POSTER OF DIGESTER CYCLE

4. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS
OF AD?
• Produces a renewable energy source
• Reduces odour and bacteria levels in manure
• Reduces greenhouse gas production from farms
• Improves manure as a fertilizer
• Utilize by-products of food production
COMPOST BIN

5. WHY IS AD ECO-FRIENDLY?
• Reduces smell, dumping of by-products, and electricity usage
• Reuses manure for bedding, fertilizer, and electricity
• Recycles manure and by-products
VICKI THE COW

6. WE WENT ON A FIELD TRIP!

7. WHAT IS ECODAIRY?
• Demonstration dairy farm
• Located in Abbotsford
• Partnership with Science World
• Profit comes from tours and dairy products

8. WHAT AD SYSTEM DOES
ECODAIRY USE?
• Plug Flow Style system
• Uses long channels in which the manure moves
along as a plug
• Suitable for manure due to manure’s high
concentration of dry matter (8-12%)
DIAGRAM OF THE DIGESTER

9. DIGESTOR DETAIL
• Sponsored by BC Hydro, BC Biogas Network, and ArdCorp
• Engineered and installed by CowPowerBC
• 24 meters in length
INLET OF THE DIGESTER

10. MORE PICTURES FROM ECODAIRY…
THE MATERIAL COWS SLEEP ON

11. DISPLAY ON MILK EACH COW MAKES DAILY

12. ROBBIE, THE ROBOT
THE BRUSH

13. ALI ATTEMPTING TO LIFT MANURE

14. HOW THE DIGESTOR ACTUALLY
WORKS
ANAEROBIC
DIGESTION
PROCESS

15. ANAEROBIC DIGESTION SYSTEM IN ECODAIRY

16. • Manure is kept in a covered pit
• A pump draws up the manure and brings it to the
digester
LOCATION
STORAGE LOCATION

17. TEMPERATURE
• A generator that uses heated coils keeps the manure
at a constant temperature (approx. 38 °C)
• This is known as the mesophilic temperature
http://www.biologicalwasteexpert.com/uploads/2/6/3/4/26349909/6996450_orig.gif
HEATED COIL

18. VESSEL OF THE DIGESTER
• In the vessel, the manure spins for approximately
30 days
• This separates the biogas
• Uses 400 injectors along the bottom of the
chamber to avoid solid build up of along the wall
https://thetyee.ca/News/2014/03/02/ManureDigester_300px.jpg
DIGESTER VESSEL

19. BIOGAS FROM THE
DIGESTER
• The biogas is collected in a gas bubble (16 – 22
inches in diameter) located at the top
• A laser measures the pressure to avoid a blow-up
• A flare will burn off some biogas to relieve the
pressure if pressure is exceeded
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/05/25/2d/05252d72b4833256f6a8b03f7a5535db--biogas-power-
energy.jpg
GAS BUBBLE

20. HYDROGEN SULFIDE
FILTER
• A hydrogen sulfide filter (filled with
iron coated carbon) removes
hydrogen from the process
• Hydrogen sulfide is poisonous,
corrosive, and flammable
• After 2 years in the filter, it becomes
harmless and is disposed
http://www.blakelycc.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Blakely_June_Hydrogen-Sulfide.gif
WARNING SIGN (H2S IS DANGEROUS)

21. WATER EXTRACTION FILTER
• A limestone cylinder sweats out water from the
biogas
• Excess water can damage the generator
https://www.sswm.info/sites/default/files/toolbox/OSTREM%202004%20Kompogas.jpg
WATER EXTRACTION CYLINDER

22. CONVERTING TO
POWER
• The methane then goes to a
generator
• It converts to CO2 and is burned to
create power
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/S8GjkD296gg/maxresdefault.jpg
METHANE TO CO2 CONVERTION

23. THE POWER CYCLE
MAIN FOCUS

24. HOW IS THE POWER CYCLE
MANAGED?
• The anaerobic digestor in EcoDairy is a
demonstration model
• Provides 1/3rd of the farm’s energy
• Next goal is to power their electric car
ELECTRIC CAR CHARGER

25. DIGESTER
EFFICIENCY
• An anaerobic digestor is very effective
for large scale farms
• The average number of cows per farm
in BC is around 100
COW BARN IN ECODAIRY
http://www.yoyomama.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/IMG_20151115_132836.jpg

26. COST OF AD
• The cost of the anaerobic digestor is
$1.2 million
• With the current electricity rate, it
will be paid off in 7-10 years
• Savings of $10,000/ year in sawdust
and $5000/year in electricity
COST OF OTHER DIGESTERS IN US
https://image.slidesharecdn.com/waste-to-watts-anaerobic-digestion-of-livestock-manure-sood3168-
140817051456-phpapp02/95/waste-to-watts-anaerobic-digestion-of-livestock-manure-sood-22-
638.jpg?cb=1408256173

27. INPUT OF THE AD
Feedstock for the AD depends on:
• Dry matter content
• Amount of energy in the feedstock
• Length of time digesting
BIOMASS CYCLE
http://www.biomass-energy.org/blog/biomass-fuels-types-review.html

28. INPUT OF THE AD
• AD can hold 22,000 gallons of manure
• Approx. 1000 gallons of manure is added per day
ANAEROBIC DIGESTER
http://www.vancouversun.com/technology/manure+powers+businesses/8555845/story.html

29. OUTPUT OF THE AD
• The anaerobic digester produces a solid, a liquid, and a gas
• The solid material is used for cow bedding
• The liquid is used as a fertilizer
• The gas is the renewable energy source
COW BEDDING

30. OUTPUT OF THE AD
• Generator can produce max. 20 kWh
• Runs at 10-12 KWh for 24-hour day
https://biblio.uottawa.ca/sites/biblio.uottawa.ca/files/24-7-2016.png
THE GENERATOR NEVER STOPS

31. GENERATORS OF AD
• There are two generators
• Uses both biogas and natural gas
• Natural gas is used to start up and
shut down
• Biogas is used in between
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/11/81/7c/11817c4a3c6ba3ca4009a5f3947c7134.jpg
TWO MINI GENERATOR SAMPLES OF AD

32. SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT…
The harmful impacts of factory farming
• Air pollution
• Deforestation
• Water Pollution
• Monocultures
• Carbon emissions
PESTICIDES!!
http://www.thewolfrocks.com/syn/343/129098/transport-canada-to-investigate-crop-duster-crash-near-
aberdeen-sask

33. WHAT CAN YOU
DO?
• Decrease intake/Stop eating meat
• Purchase local/organic produce
• Grow your own fruits and vegetables
LOCAL PRODUCE
http://pangeachiropractic.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/local-produce-bend-oregon.jpg

34. THANKS FOR LISTENING!
ANY QUESTIONS?

35. REFERENCES
• https://www.dairyfarmers.ca/what-we-do/programs/dairy-farming-and-the-environment/dairy-farm-
sustainability-award/2014-finalists/bakerview-ecodairy-british-columbia
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aULRryCVMyY
• http://www.biogas-info.co.uk/about/feedstocks/
• http://www.tamar-energy.com/renewable-energy/how-much-power-does-an-ad-plant-produce/
• https://www.ciwf.org.uk/factory-
farming/?gclid=Cj0KCQiA6enQBRDUARIsAGs1YQibqO3lACDeLXFUjb_BYSdouuCaaD7PbvuTdhtowpASPDt
BwEFSzi4aAk2iEALw_wcB
•