Mark Risse

Determination of Composition of Cellulose and Lignin Mixtures Using Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA)

The proportional composition of cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin and minerals in a biomass plays a significant role in the proportion of pyrolysis products (bio-oil, char, and gases). Traditionally, the composition of biomass is chemically determined, which is a time consuming process. This paper presents the results of a preliminary investigation of a method using thermo-gravimetric analysis for predicting the fraction of cellulose and lignin in lignin-cellulose mixtures. The concept is based on a newly developed theory of Pyrolytic Unit Thermographs (PUT). The Pyrolytic Unit Thermograph (PUT) is a thermograph showing rate of change of biomass weight with respect to temperature for a unit weight loss. These PUTs were used as input for two predictive mathematical procedures that minimize noise to predict the fractional composition in unknown lignin-cellulose mixtures. The first model used linear correlations between cellulose/lignin content and peak decomposition rate while the second method used a system of linear equations. Results showed that both models predicted the composition of lignin-cellulose mixture within 7 to 18% of measured value. The promising results of this preliminary study will certainly motivate further refinement of this method through advanced research.Copyright

Assessing the Market for Poultry Litter in Georgia: Are Subsidies Needed to Protect Water Quality?

Concerns about nutrient loads into our waters have focused attention on poultry litter applications. Like many states with a large poultry industry, Georgia recently designed a subsidy program to facilitate the transportation of poultry litter out of vulnerable watersheds. This paper uses a transportation model to examine the necessity of a poultry litter subsidy to achieve water protection goals in Georgia. We also demonstrate the relationship between diesel and synthetic fertilizer prices and the value of poultry litter. Results suggest that a well functioning market would be able to remove excess litter from vulnerable watersheds in the absence of a subsidy.

National Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center

This paper describes a new national learning center designed to improve the delivery of science-based information to non-research customers. The vision of the Livestock and Poultry Environmental Learning Center is to provide individuals involved in public policy issues, animal production, and delivery of technical services for confined animal systems with on-demand access to the nation’s best science-based resources that is responsive to priority and emerging environmental issues associated with animal agriculture. This project will test innovative approaches such as a web cast seminar series to connect national experts with those individuals and organizations that influence animal producer decisions on manure management issues. This paper describes the implementation of the innovative approaches used delivery of research based knowledge by the learning center .

Sludge Measurement Using Global Positioning System (GPS) Enabled Sonar Equipped Airboat in a Lagoon

Proper management of animal waste treatment lagoons requires regular sludge surveys of the lagoons. The traditional manual method of sludge survey is unhygienic, unsafe, time consuming, and inaccurate. The inaccuracy of this method, generally, results from lack of sufficient data for using any spatial interpolation method. This paper presents the effect of sonar unit variables (sensitivity, noise rejection, and surface clarity) on measurements of top and bottom depth of sludge layer in a lagoon using a GPS enabled sonar equipped (model LCX-15M, Lowrance Electronics, Inc, Tulsa, OK) remote controlled airboat. Comparisons between airboat measurements and sludge meter readings and the discrepancy between the measurements from the airboat and an instrument from Remediation Resources, INC. is also discussed. To study the variables, the top and bottom depth of a sludge layer, position and speed of the air boat were measured using a gps sensor and an ultrasonic sonar in three situations: 1) Statically at single point; 2) Dynamically along two lines; and 3) Dynamically on a lagoon water surface on a random grid . The top and bottom depth of the sludge layer was also measured using a sludge meter method at several points within the cone area for the static location of the transducer. This preliminary study suggested the use of 25% sensitivity level, an inclusion of a correction factor accounting for speed of sound in lagoon water, the steady movement of the boat and the use of a more accurate GPS system (accuracy within inches with DGPS) for future research to measure sludge within acceptable limits.

Energy and Bio-oil Production from Poultry Litter using Fractionation and Pyrolysis- A Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP)

Recently data quality was questioned in a major piece of research published in a renowned scientific journal. This not only defamed the research scientist involved, but also supported the need of well entrained ethics in our education. Therefore it is necessary to incorporate data quality control and management practices in the engineering curriculum for graduate students. The reliability of results obtained from any project depends upon the quality of data collection as described in “Good Laboratory Practices” (EPA 40 CFR PARTS 160, 792, and 806, 1999). The United Stated Environmental Protection Agency uses the Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP) as a modern tool of engineering to ensure data and management quality of funded projects. The overall purpose of QAPP is to reduce and control error in research data.

Adding Value to Poultry Litter using Fractionation, Pyrolysis, and Pelleting

In areas of excess poultry litter production, eco-friendly and more energy efficient utilization alternatives must be developed. In raw form, poultry litter has certain draw backs for both energy production and fertilizer such as high ash content and moisture content, a corrosive nature, low heat content, low bulk density, and low nutrient content. Fractionation divides poultry litter into a fine, nutrient rich fraction and a coarse, energy rich fraction. Pyrolysis of the coarse fraction produces char, bio-oil, and gases. The pyrolysis process can provide energy to pellet the fine fraction; char can be sold or used as an energy source or a soil amendment, and bio-oil can be used as a pellet binder.