PROJECTS
Geerlings Hillside Farms
Location: Overisel, MI
Operation Description:
Swine Farm
8,000 spaces wean to finish
Project Status: Completed 2008
Project Description: Anaerobic Digestion & Electricity Generation
- This project was the first anaerobic digestion system on a swine facility in Michigan.
- This project was the first to develop pelletized fertilizer from biofibers.
- The AD system incorporates one 65' diameter AD tank and equipment for downstream
processing of separated digestate liquid. (The 8,000-space swine facility also
receives manure from neighboring farms.) - Site utilizes prime mover biogas-powered gensets (two I-Power ES65kW) to provide
3-phase 480 volt power for the site, avoiding costly and time-consuming electrical
modifications. - A heat exchanger collects waste heat from the generator for heating the AD tank
and as required, for drying the biofibers. - A pellet mill has been installed in a building adjacent to the AD tank.
- The site sells the biofibers as either bulk compost or as pelletized fertilizer.
- A proprietary Closed System Nutrient Recovery Cell was installed for enhanced
nutrient management process development. - Partial funding for this project was provided by a USDA grant award and a MDA
grant award. - Phase 3 Renewables also received a Farm Pilot Program Coordination Grant for this project –
one of only 3 US awards.
Services Phase 3 Renewables provided for this project:
- Consulting and Feasibility Modeling
- Funding Support
- Engineering & Project Management
- Biomass Plant Provider (AD tanks)
- Energy System Provider (Electrical)
- Nutrient Management System Provider (Biofibers, irrigation water, organic fertilizer)
- Value-added Product Systems Provider (Animal bedding, Pelletized Fertilizer)
- Off-farm Revenue Sales Support (Energy Sales Agreement, Emissions trading, Pelletized fertilizer)
- On-going Operational Support (Bio-chemical monitoring, testing, mechanical and operating)
