Lessons Learned from this Project |
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Compost Marketing
Composting marketing has been increasingly successful. This has occurred over time with repeat customers, word of mouth advertising and the use of a website. Prices vary depending on size of the purchase. All the manure solids can be sold.
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Engine
The engine selected was based more on the price than the most efficient size. A used engine became available and was put into service. An oversized engine will be inefficient in converting fuel to power at lower operating speeds. Building the digester for 1,000 cows while only operating it at half capacity does cause some inefficiency.
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Hot Water
The projected savings from hot water use did not materialize since changing from the existing radiant heat to hot water heat in the parlor would have cost too much. Since the electricity produced by the on farm generation covers the electric needs of the farm there was not a big incentive in making an expensive change.
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Noise
The noise from the motor in an un-insulated pole barn can be loud. Providing a sound insulated engine room reduces the sound at the farm as well as the sound at a distance. People that had been keeping their window shut from the odors were now complaining about the sound.
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Odor Controls
Treated separated digested liquid manure from the cow barn when added to the Heifer barn’s manure storage pond reduces the odor in that storage. This means that to control the odors on a farm system not all the manure has to be brought to the digester itself.
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Service Support
Service support for the engine, generator, electrical inter-tie, and other parts are still not provided by one entity leaving the farm to find the best and quickest solution to a variety of problems. At times the small problem that goes unfixed for a time can lead to more difficult problems. There is an opportunity for a maintenance specialist to assist farms in running the systems that are part of an anaerobic digestion manure treatment process.
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Weir Wall
The weir wall consisting of timbers set across the concrete opening at the outlet of the digester failed. Until repairs were made the outlet reception pit needed to be kept full to prevent the loss of gas.
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