Tuesday's Presentations
Tuesday
SEPTEMBER 13, 2005
Concurrent Session A
8:30 AM – 10:15 AM
NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN ON-FARM DIGESTERS
Moderator: Larry Krom, Focus On Energy
Anaerobic Digester Developments On Wisconsin Farms
Overview of new projects; What seems to be working best; Project economics; Steps to implement a biogas recovery project.
Larry Krom, Focus on Energy
Digester Solids Separation And Nutrient Management
Solids separator technologies — what’s available and where you get them; What works to manage nutrients?
John Katers, University of Wisconsin, Green Bay
Anaerobic Digesters On Smaller Dairy Farms
The economics of digesters seem to work best for farms with at least 500 dairy cows; How a digester system could be constructed for smaller farms.
Duane Hanusa, HanUSA
Performance Comparison Of Two Plug Flow Digesters
Comparing performance of a conventional plug-flow and a vertically mixed plug-flow anaerobic digester with respect to biogas production from dairy cattle manure; Similarities and differences..
John H. Martin, Hall Associates
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
UPGRADING BIOGAS SYSTEM PERFORMANCE
Moderator: Shelly Laffin, Focus On Energy
Mixed Plug Flow Digester
Where systems are being used effectively; Generating high-quality bedding and electricity; Odor reduction.
Melissa Dvorak, GHD, Inc.
Complete Mix Digester
Experiences with operating a German designed, above-ground tank, complete mix digester at the Vir-Clar Farm in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin; Review of engine improvements.
Michael Zander, Biogas Direct LLC
Thermophilic Digester At Wisconsin Dairy
Operations at Five Star Dairy in Elk Mound, Wisconsin; Partnership with Dairyland Power Cooperative; Benefits for power/manure management/clean air and water.
Dan Eastman, Microgy Energy Systems
Concurrent Session B
8:30 AM – 10:15 AM
LANDFILL METHANE INSTALLATIONS
Moderator: Alex DePillis, Wisconsin Division of Energy
Where Landfill Biogas Is Being Used — And Systems Developed
From schools to residences; Overview of effective methods being used at landfills; Commercial equipment; Regional and national developments.
Mark Torresani, RMT, Inc.
Integrated Approach To Methane Recovery And Composting
Experiences with operating a 3.1 MW engine/generator at a county landfill; What gas cleanup technologies are used; Experiences with operation and maintenance; Selling power and finished compost.
Mike DiMaggio, Dane County Public Works (Wisconsin)
Microturbines Cluster At Gas Recovery Sites
Lessons learned from operating 12 turbines at the Sauk County Landfill; Associated gas treatment; System for removing siloxanes.
Jan Scott, Unison Solutions, Inc.
Landfill Gas Energy Recovery Hoax
Analyzing the flawed assumptions by EPA on landfill emissions not captured by gas collection systems; Emphasis needed on phasing out landfilling of organic residuals.
Peter Anderson, Center For A Competitive Waste Industry
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
CROPS AND WOOD WASTE TO ENERGY
Moderator: Don Wichert, Focus On Energy
Wood And Crop Waste Conversion
Residual gasification methods to generate heat and power; Systems used for economic utilization of different feedstocks.
Karl Seggerman, Black & Veatch
Using Anaerobic Digester Solids As Peat Moss Replacement
Developing potting mix using AD solids instead of sphagnum moss peat for growing media; Results show 40 percent increase in mass of the plant and number of blooms per plant with AD solids; Project goal is to develop a new market for digester solids and more profits for the dairy farmer.
Tim Zauche, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Cofiring A Power Plant With Switchgrass
Grown on land not suited to other uses, switchgrass protects land from soil erosion, provides wildlife habitat and replaces five percent of coal at generating station; New facility will process 12.5 tph of switchgrass.
Bill Morton, Alliant Energy
Plenary Session
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
CONVERTING BIOMASS INTO ETHANOL
Moderator: Larry Krom, Focus On Energy
Advancing Ethanol Production In The Midwest
Description of methods, feedstocks and on-farm experiences; Impact on improving financial returns in agriculture.
Robert Sather, Wisconsin Ethanol Producers Association
Adding Value By Biomilling™
Latest developments that improve economics of total ethanol process.
Thom Menie, Biorefining, Inc.
Getting A Start-Up Underway In Ethanol Production
Overview of operation at a 40 million gallon per year ethanol production plant; Review of important factors in making this project happen; By-products use.
Jeff Robertson, United Wisconsin Grain Producers
4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
ENERGY INDEPENDENCE VIA BIOMASS
Moderator: Jerome Goldstein, BioCycle
Wisconsin Efforts To Develop Bioindustries
Developing an “opportunity scan” of what’s doable, visionary and beneficial; Overview of technologies, feedstocks and commercial implementation.
Will Hughes, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
Establishing Credibility
Analyzing the real incentives for moving forward with renewable energy projects; Checking out the numbers.
Philip Lusk, Resource Development Associates
Financial Help — Where To Get It, How To Make It Work
Study of impact of USDA Farm Bill 9006; How grant recipients have used funds — and are making them work well.
Kelley Oehler, USDA Rural Development Center
High Value Markets For AD Products
Market research and product development for digestate, liquid and compost generated at dairy manure anaerobic digestion facility in Oregon; Using lab analyses to identify product applications; Targeting high value products for horticulture.
Ron Alexander, R. Alexander Associates, Inc.
Evening Session
7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Roundtable
Moderator: Kate Cooper, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Organics Recycling In The Midwest
Informal session hosted by regional agencies provides opportunity for networking. Lively discussion on food residuals composting, incentives/regulations/renewable energy mandates to generate fuel, feed and compost.
