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Michigan State University
215 Farrall Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
Phone: 517-355-4720
Fax: 517-432-2892
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research descriptions
- Food Quality and Safety
- Ecological Engineering
- Graduate
- MAES Research Project Instructions (umbrella forms)
Investigators: Bickert, W.
A small-scale anaerobic digester at Green Meadow Farms was operated successfully for six months. Significant quantities of grit and manure solids were retained in the digester cone, acting as a grit control device. Digester effluent was similar to other systems. A biogas boiler installed to burn gas produced by the digester generates heat that will be used to heat the digester using a heat exchanger. Learning opportunities with the grinder pump and heating system caused setbacks and limited the digester operation. In the spring of 2005, the digester heating system will be overhauled and the anaerobic digester will be put back in operation. A project designed to evaluate biogas production using commingled waste streams generated at Michigan State University was begun. Commingling involves the mixing of organic waste streams that would generally be treated separately. The possible benefits of commingling include increased biogas production, improved biogas quality, consolidation of organic wastes and the eventual utilization of the organic waste as fertilizer. Three waste streams suitable for digestion were identified: i) animal manure, ii) post-consumer waste from campus cafeterias, and iii) abattoir waste from the MSU Meats Lab. Three of the campus farms have animal manure with acceptable characteristics for anaerobic digestion; namely, dairy, beef, and swine. Several campus cafeterias have year-round food service that would generate a steady flow of post-consumer waste. At this time, post-consumer waste is routed to the East Lansing municipal wastewater treatment plant for disposal. The campus abattoir generates significant quantities of offal, currently rendered at a substantial cost to the Meats Lab. With the future of rendering of offal in doubt, digestion offers a potentially environmentally sound disposal method. An audit, to be conducted in earlier 2005, will estimate the quantity of post-consumer food waste and abattoir waste available for anaerobic digestion. A series of biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests will be used to evaluate different commingled mixtures. The BMP experiments will provide valuable information related to biogas generation and biogas quality that will aid in system design. A Chemical Engineering group used lab space and equipment to conduct research on biodegradable composite materials. The end goal of that research is to design biodegradable plastics for the auto industry.
BIO-ENERGY BASED ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS AND THEIR SAFE, EFFICIENT APPLICATIONS
Investigators: Surbrook, T., Bickert, W., Althouse, J., Lloyd, J., Dale, B.
The primary focus this year was the forming of a coalition of organizations interested in taking an innovative approach to the conversion of livestock farm bio-mass to energy production, and the utilization of other forms of renewable energy resources on farms. The primary group for developing this coalition is the Michigan Agricultural Electric Council (MAEC)which held four meetings during 2004 specifically devoted to the building of a coalition group consisting of university research, electric power suppliers, component manufacturers, governmental agencies, and agricultural organizations to develop working objectives and proceed with projects. Basic objectives were established, and potential projects are being proposed for review. It was detrmined that individuals and organizatons have difficulty finding sources of unbiased and accurate information concerning renewable energy, and therefore, the MAEC would attempt to provide that function in Michigan. A chapter was written in an electrical trade text book that provides detailed information on installing several types of renewable energy production systems where the output is alternating current.
LASER SPECTOSCOPY FOR ANALYSIS OF CRYSTALLIZATION PROCESSES
Investigators: Berglund, K.
Raman spectroscopy and ATR-FTIR spectrscopy were demonstrated for the monitoring and control of a number of crystallization configurations. These applications included single crystal protein crystallization for X-ray analysis, monitoring and control of pH induced crystallization for pharmaceuticals, polymorphic transformations in pharmaceuticals, and screening of crystallization inhibitors produced from natural products.
METHODS FOR IMPROVING WATER QUALITY IN AGRICULTURAL WATERSHEDS
Investigators: NORTHCOTT, W. J., KNEZEK, B., JACOBS, L., COOKE, R. A
Two runoff trials were conducted on the University Farms at Michigan State University in 2003 to compare the suspended solids and E. coli concentration in runoff from manured and non-manured cropland following conventional, aeration, and no-till tillage operations at three, ten and twenty-one days after tillage and manure application. One runoff trial was performed on perennial grass plots to simulate a pasture manure application. The other runoff study was performed on wheat stubble to simulate a summer, post wheat manure application. A portable rainfall simulator with a 1.5 x 2 m plot size was used to simulate a continuous flow rainfall event with an intensity of 70 mm h-1 to generate runoff. The rolling-tine aerator caused little reduction in the vegetative cover of the grass pasture or the crop residue cover of the wheat stubble. Generally, the total suspended solids concentration in the runoff increased with tillage intensity. Suspended solids in the runoff increased at the pasture site and decreased at the wheat site when the manure slurry was applied. The manure slurry contained sawdust bedding that formed a protective crust over the soil surface at the wheat site. The crust reduced soil particle detachment and separated the soil surface from the runoff stream. When no manure was applied there were nearly six times more suspended solids in the runoff from the conventionally tilled ground as from the no-till ground. The greatest E. coli concentration in the runoff from the pasture site was from the no-till plots on day-3 after manure application, and the concentration decreased as tillage intensity increased and decreased with time from the no-till and aerated plots. The E. coli concentration in the runoff from the wheat site was generally lower than from the pasture site, but there were no clear trends across time or tillage methods.
ANIMAL MANURE AND WASTE UTILIZATION, TREATMENT AND NUISANCE AVOIDANCE FOR A SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Investigators: von Bernuth, R. D.
A project to evaluate the efficacy of a liquid/solid isolation system for swine manure installed on the Michigan State University swine teaching and research farm was completed. The system utilizes a "V" shaped pit floor with an adapted scraper installed beneath the slatted floor of the swine pens. Feces stick on the pit floor slope and are scraped to a collection point. The liquid including urine runs to a center pipe and is pumped to a holding tank. There were six objectives: determine the efficacy of the system to isolate phosphorus (P) in feces, determine the efficacy of isolating water in the urine, determine the total mass and volume of manure produced, measure the ammonia and hydrogen sulfide concentrations, determine the P mass balance, and not compromise pig performance. All objectives were met. Ninety percent of the P was in the feces, and the feces were about 66% moisture content. Ninety-six percent of the P was accounted for. Ammonia concentration never exceeded 7.5 ppm and hydrogen sulfide never reached the minimum detection limit of 0.5 ppm. Pig performance was among the best ever achieved at the facility and comparable to the best in the industry.