Takuma to Develop Manure-Fired Biomass Power Plant

Takuma Co., which conducts business in biomass power generation and various factory-related technologies including waste processing facilities, announced on September 8, 2010, that it received an order for a boiler power plant powered by livestock manure from Miyazaki Prefecture-based Nangokukosan Co., a manufacturer and supplier of animal feedstuffs and fertilizers.

With cow dung being used primarily as fertilizer due to its high moisture content, this is the first experiment in Japan to utilize cow dung as fuel. The experiment was selected by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries as a recipient in its grant project for the utilization of local biomass resources.

The plant, using a mixture of poultry and cow dung as an alternative fuel to petroleum, will process up to 13 tons of manure and create 35 tons of steam per hour to generate electricity at a capacity of 1,500 kilowatts. It will deliver enough power to run a factory and surplus steam will be applied as a dry heat source within the factory. The plant is expected to be completed in 2012.

In Japan there are only a few cases of boiler installations that are powered by livestock manure. Takuma will have undertaken three of the total four cases so far, this one being the fourth.

Posted: 2011/01/21 06:00:15 AM