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Dairy producers are under pressure to improve their productivity while limiting the pollution and odor caused by dairy waste. Anaerobic digestion of dairy waste, whether on-site or in a centralized facility, is a method that can reduce odor, nutrient runoff, and emission of greenhouse gases (methane and carbon dioxide).This publication summarizes the results of a one-year study of anaerobic digestion options in York, New York. The overall goal of the study was to determine the technical and economic feasibility of converting dairy wastes to useful products in a centralized anaerobic digestion facility that would serve the York community, an area including approximately 100 dairy farms that maintain a total of more than 30,000 animals within a 20-mile radius. This publication includes an 11-page executive summary and seven chapters on the following topics: dairies, water pollution, and anaerobic digestion; the dairy manure resource and energy; dairy waste management survey results; transportation of manure to centralized digesters; anaerobic digester analysis; economic feasibility; and discussion and conclusions. Included are 19 tables, 47 figures, and 4 appendixes. The report will be a useful resource for agricultural engineers, dairy producers and their advisors, those in businesses associated with agricultural waste management, and others interested in animal waste treatment. (1998)

Dairy producers are under pressure to improve their productivity while limiting the pollution and odor caused by dairy waste. Anaerobic digestion of dairy waste, whether on-site or in a centralized facility, is a method that can reduce odor, nutrient runoff, and emission of greenhouse gases (methane and carbon dioxide). In addition, anaerobic digestion converts biodegradable organic matter to a natural gas (methane), called biogas, that is useful for many energy applications. Evaluation of Anaerobic Digestion Options for Groups of Dairy Farms in Upstate New York ($18.00 plus shipping and handling, August 1998, 180 pages) summarizes a one-year study of anaerobic digestion options in York, New York.

The report presents the results of a study contracted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service. The overall goal of the study was to determine the technical and economic feasibility of converting dairy wastes to useful products in a centralized anaerobic digestion facility that would serve the York community, an area including approximately 100 dairy farms that maintain a total of more than 30,000 animals within a 20-mile radius.

The authors of the study were W. J. Jewell, professor, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Cornell University; P. E. Wright, animal waste specialist, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Cornell Cooperative Extension; N. P. Fleszar, research support specialist, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Cornell University; G. Green, graduate student, Agricultural, Resource, and Managerial Economics, Cornell University; A. Safinski, undergraduate research assistant, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University; and A. Zucker, undergraduate research assistant, Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Cornell University.

Evaluation of Anaerobic Digestion Options for Groups of Dairy Farms in Upstate New York includes an 11-page executive summary and seven chapters on the following topics: dairies, water pollution, and anaerobic digestion; the dairy manure resource and energy; dairy waste management at York, New York -- survey results; transportation of manure to centralized digesters; anaerobic digester analysis; economic feasibility; and discussion and conclusions. Included in the publication are 19 tables, 47 figures, 4 appendixes, and a references section.

The authors conclude that under certain scenarios anaerobic digestion of dairy waste can solve in an economically attractive manner many of the pollution problems associated with dairies. Presenting a new economic analysis and summarizing the opportunities and challenges of anaerobic digestion, the report will be a useful resource for agricultural engineers, dairy producers and their advisors, and others interested in options for animal waste treatment. The economic feasibility chapter, framed in the form of a business plan analysis, would be of interest to the private sector in business associated with anaerobic digestion and agricultural waste management.

Evaluation of Anaerobic Digestion Options for Groups of Dairy Farms in Upstate New York, ABEN-97, is available for $18.00 per copy (plus shipping and handling) from NRAES, Cooperative Extension, PO Box 4557, Ithaca, New York, 14852-4557. The shipping and handling charge is $4.25 for a single copy within the continental United States. New York residents, add sales tax (calculated on both the cost of publications and the shipping and handling charges. Click here for more information.) If ordering more than one copy or if ordering from outside the United States, please contact NRAES for shipping costs. Orders from outside the United States must be prepaid in U.S. funds. Major credit cards are accepted, and checks should be made payable to NRAES. For information or for a free publications catalog, contact NRAES by phone at (607) 255-7654, by fax at (607) 254-8770, by e-mail at nraes@cornell.edu. Or visit our web site at http://www.nraes.org

Acknowledgments

Abstract

Table of Contents

Figure Legends

Table Legends

Executive Summary
Introduction
Why Anaerobic Digestion?
On-Site Versus Centralized Manure Processing Facility
Dairy Waste Management Practices and Perceptions at York, New York
Waste Quantities Generated, Composition and Potential Value
Implications of Dairy Manure Management Practices
Energy Considerations
Transportation of Wastes to a Centralized Processing Facility
Economic Models of Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Waste
Economic Sensitivity Analysis
Economic Feasibility
Conclusions

Chapter 1: Dairies, Water Pollution, and Anaerobic Digestion
Introduction
Goals and Objectives
Background
Overview of System Components
Centralized Manure Processing Systems
Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Waste -- Present and Future Possibilities
Anaerobic Digestion Status, Costs, and Benefits

Chapter 2: The Dairy Manure Resource and Energy
Dairy Manure Production
Other Waste Production
Current Organic Waste Disposal/Use Practices on Western New York Dairies
Bedding Fiber Production Possibilities at a Centralized Facility
Products of Resource Recovery Systems
Biomass Refining System Designs and Costs
References

Chapter 3: Dairy Waste Management at York, New York: Survey Results
Introduction
Survey Description and Responses
Survey Analysis
Estimates of Manure Production and Related Characteristics
Estimated Cost of Manure Spreading
Electricity Use on Dairy Farms in the York Area
Producer Concerns
Summary

Chapter 4: Transportation of Manure to Centralized Digesters
General Transportation Considerations
Transport Model Results
References

Chapter 5: Anaerobic Digester Analysis
Introduction
Anaerobic Digester Costing Model
Results of Digester Economic Analysis
Economic Sensitivity Analysis
Centralized Facility Limitations

Chapter 6: Economic Feasibility
Introduction
Model Description
Breakeven Analysis

Chapter 7: Discussion and Conclusions
Dairy Waste Management Practices
Anaerobic Digestion Economics
Existing Barriers to Anaerobic Digestion of Dairy Waste
Biogas Utilization -- Cogeneration Feasibility
Transportation Feasibility
Environmental Impact of Road Transport of Manure
Economics of Centralized Facilities
Recommendations

References

Appendix A: Survey of Dairy Farms for Anaerobic Digestion Feasibility

Appendix B: Example Dairy Farm Digester Feasibility Analysis Using AgStar Program

Appendix C: US EPA Biosolids Truck Transportation Model

Appendix D: Description of Large Centralized Swine Waste Facility (in Dutch Language)