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Fuel from Animals
Power plants have been designed to produce methane gas by digestion of animal waste. Animal waste includes livestock and poultry manure, dairy wastewater, feedlot runoff, silage juices from silos, and wasted feed. Animal waste reduces the need for commercial fertilizer; it adds organic matter to soil and improves the water holding capacity of the soil. The residue will be recycled. This is recycled by returning it to the farms where it can be used as a fertilizer. Fuel from animal waste is a renewable energy. The source of this energy is plentiful and constant; the waste product is utilized effectively and contributes to the continuous generation of an efficient energy source.
Methane gas is produced by animal waste as it decays. It is collected and burned as a fuel for a source of renewable energy. Facilities collect the waste and store it in airtight tanks called digesters where anaerobic digestion occurs. The resulting methane gas is then compressed in tanks and distributed to customers. The fuel is then burnt for steam production so it can force turbines to turn and create electricity. It can also be used to cook, heat houses, and even power car engines. Vehicles powered by methane gas are less polluting although their speed and acceleration are reduced.
Areas close to facilities such as dairies, poultry farms, or any other animal raising operation would receive the most benefit from this type of renewable energy and utilizing this type of energy could cut down on fuel transportation costs..
Air pollution is a concern as animal waste is turned into usable fuel. The methane produced from animal waste can contribute to the global warming problem if the gas is allowed to escape into the atmosphere. Although this source of energy has its many qualities, it can still be harmful to the earth if it is not used in a proper way.
Some potential benefits of using animal waste as an energy source are support of agricultural industry, reduced environmental impact and by-product returns.
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