May 1976 RAIN Page 27 Through Bioconversion Bioconversion is one of the lowest funded, if not the lowest, sections of the budget for the Solar Energy Division of the Energy Research and Development Administration. In terms of its contribution to a harmonious flow of energy through the ecosystem, it can potentially contribute the most in terms of conservation and a move to income energy from the sun. It is a shame that it receives such a low priority when compared to other energy systems. Washington, D.C., is a crazy place, but it was a nice visit. My thanks to the Environmental Policy Center and to Wilson Clark, who made the trip possible. For a really good overview of bioconversion and waste management in agriculture, a new publication by Prof. William J. Jewell is available from Ann Arbor Science, P.O. Box 1425, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. The title of the book is Energy, Agriculture and Waste Management ($22.50-tell your library!). This book has the best history of digestion as well as an up-todate view of what's going on. Bio-Gas Plants Ken Smith Ecotope Group P.O. Box 618 Snohomish, WA 98290 ~ llN~IIP '. to .· ·111< • ''C-· . _..-;:;- KELP PLANl S ~ •,. : _ ~ ~ ' ,,,,, ~Q;~r~OPYl:~is' "· .. ~ -~<IP ~ ~ ~A~S::, '.: ~~"<iru, ~ .... :--....:. .... , ·, ',, ·, " . ' ~ PHIIClS~INI, l'I ,~ ~ I\ 11 11 1IIING SPAC ES l IVINl; 011Mil I e ~ 11 111 1' .\ NC:V CO NTROL t:...._ BUOY ~ . -·"· ---....__, .r. ;~}~ ~A;;_;:: Artist's conception of a future ocean farm unit. The upwelling pump is powered by waws. The farm can be positioned by anchoring the central platforin or by propelling the platform with wind power, wave power, or fuel derived from the seaweed harvest. The depth of the farm's mesh may be increased during,large storms to reduce the risk of damage. (U.S. Nm·.1· Photo/ Western Technology Alternative Technology (Village-scale 5000 cft/day bio-gasfertilizer plant) (Large-scale coal-based fertilizer plant) Number of plants Capital cost Foreign Exchange Capital/sales ratio@ Rs.4350 per tonne nitrogen Employment 1 Rs.1200 million Rs.600 million 1.20 1000 26,150 (@ 8.8 tonnes per year per plant) Rs.1070 million (@ Rs.41,000 per plant) nil 1.07 130,750 (@ 5 per plant) Energy about 0.1 million MWH per year consumption 6.35 million MWH per year generation Table 1. The Production of 230,000 Tonnes of Nitrogen per Year by Western and Alternative Technologies Village-sized bio-gas plants have proven a very effective source of both energy and nitrogen fertilizer in India without disruption of local lifestyles. Adoption of this technology throughout the country rather than Western coal-based fertilizer production will result in the dispersal of production to 26,150 villages rather than concentrating it in one center; save Rs600 millions of foreign exchange; conserve Rsl30 millions of precious capital in a capital-poor country; yield a much higher rate of return on investment; generate 130 times more employment; generate energy instead of consuming it; and provide employment to the rural poor rather than the urban elite. Biogas plants have been adapted in India more rapidly than in the U.S. because of India's more equatorial location and lesser heating requirements which allow a greater net production of energy from the wastes than in the U.S. (Undercurrents 14)
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