Gasification—an energy alternative

Agricultural Research, Sept, 2007 by Matt C. Smith

A feasibility study is under way on construction of a 1- to 2-megawatt research and development gasification facility for testing a variety of feedstocks for suitability to generate steam and electricity. It would be built at the Henry A. Wallace Beltsville (Maryland) Agricultural Research Center (BARC), the world's largest and most diversified agricultural research complex. The study is being done under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory. Researchers at BARC would develop technologies with potential for transfer to farm co-ops and rural communities.

Gasification involves burning biomass--of plant or animal origin--to produce a gas that can be used directly for electricity production or converted into a variety of liquid fuels. Animal manures and other BARC farm wastes would be tested, along with specialty biomass crops, such as switchgrass and poplar trees.

Matt C. Smith, USDA-ARS Environmental Management and Byproduct Utilization Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland; phone (301) 504-9100, e-mail msmith@anri. barc.usda.gov.