Energy recovery from agricultural wastes
1982
Anderson, J.L., Jr | Altobello, M.A.
Extract: Anaerobic digestion technology is evaluated as an alternative energy source from the viewpoint of a firm considering adopting this technology and from that of a public sector agency allocating research and development expenditures in this area. Parameters of learning functions are estimated which relate unit costs of producing methane gas by anaerobic digestion to cumulative research and development expenditures in this area. Learning relationships estimated for four sizes of animal production unit indicate that, with each doubling of cumulative investment, there is a 13-18 percent decrease in the unit cost of producing methane. The learning functions are used to estimate breakeven po ints and potential net benefits for firms considering adoption. Minimum methane production required nation-wide such that investment expenditures will be recovered is estimated, and regional distribution of potential production is assessed. Results indicate greatest potential benefits accruing to large-scale units in cattle-producing states.
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