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A Biogas-Tolerant Engine-Generator for Advanced Agricultural Waste Management…

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Agriculture 		Branch:
N/A 		Award ID:
88593 		Program Year/Program:
2010 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
2010-01877 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
8.11 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Mainstream Engineering Corporation
200 Yellow Place Pines Industrial Center Rockledge, FL -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2010
Title: A Biogas-Tolerant Engine-Generator for Advanced Agricultural Waste Management Systems
Agency: USDA
Contract: N/A
Award Amount: $399,733.00
 

Abstract:

Anaerobic digesters are capable of producing methane-rich biogas from animal manure and also offer the advantages of controlling odors, reducing pathogens, and minimizing the environmental impact of the waste. The biogas produced from anaerobic digesters is a renewable, distributed source of energy that can be used to generate electricity to offset power consumption on farms. Unfortunately, biogas is a sour gas that is rich in hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a highly corrosive gas that quickly embrittles the cast iron and steel used for many engine components. As a result, conventional engines fail after several months of exposure to the high levels of H2S in biogas. No small (<100 kWe) generators are currently available that can use this fuel without pretreatment to remove the H2S--a process that adds complexity, cost, consumables, and maintenance. As a result, many smaller biodigester installations simply flare the biogas rather than extracting any useful work from the fuel. The objective of this project is to develop an inexpensive, low-maintenance, high-efficiency, biogas-tolerant engine that does not require preconditioning of the biogas to remove H2S.

Principal Investigator:

Paul E. Yelvington
null
3216313550
pyelvington@mainstream-engr.com

Business Contact:

Michael Rizzo
Chief Financial Officer
3216313550
mar@mainstream-engr.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

MAINSTREAM ENGINEERING CORPORATION
200 YELLOW PL Rockledge, FL 32955

EIN/Tax ID: 592744408
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No