Manure-to-Energy Project On Track for 2016

Written by Tyler R. Etter

The Smithfield Foods’ manure-to-energy project, the largest of its kind, is expected to be operational by mid-2016. The project first began construction in spring of 2014 in Smithfield’s Missouri division. The project is estimated to cost $120 million.

The first phase of the project consists of the installation of impermeable covers and flare systems over the 88 designated manure lagoons in Albany. These covers prevent the escape of methane into the atmosphere, as well as reduce odor and blocking rainfall from entering the lagoons. The second phase of the project will purify the gases and see the installation of a natural gas pipeline.

The project is anticipated to handle the waste from 2 million pigs, generating 2.2 million cubic feet of natural gas, the rough equivalent of 17 million gallons of diesel, annually. Further, the project is expected to prevent 850,000 tons of methane from entering the atmosphere. The project is believed to have applications across farms in the US, as well as developing countries, for sustainable natural resource management and energy production.