The Generation of Synthetic Diesel and Other Synthetic Petroleum Products Through the Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis Process Via the Gasification of Dairy Manure Solids and Utilization of Biogas

The project at the Agricultural Waste Solutions-Scott Brothers Dairy Farms pilot facility is intended to produce renewable diesel from dairy manure waste at a volume and cost that demonstrates that a commercial-size facility can be economically sustainable. When integrated into the best dairy management practices described in the San Jacinto Watershed Integrated Regional Dairy Management Plan, the technology implemented can also make a substantial contribution to meeting the social and environmental goals of the San Jacinto Watershed and the Regional Dairy Management Plan.

This project utilized the synthetic gases generated from the pyrolysis of dairy solids to generate transportation diesel through Steam Methane Reformation and Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis processes. The project successfully created transportation diesel from dairy solids. This project also tested the potential to use biogas as a feedstock for the generation of transportation diesel. Municipal natural gas was used as a substitute for biogas during testing where transportation diesel was also successfully created.

During fabrication, designing, and configuring the pilot scale facility, the company evaluated the long-term sustainability of the equipment on site. It was determined that some design modifications will be required in order to optimize production due to the unique environment and long-term production needs; however, the pilot test was successful in qualifying the one-year pilot system as originally designed.