ORH RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS
In Progress
Ohio Renewable Holdings is creating carbon negative, renewable natural gas by processing dairy manure through anerobic digestion in Northwest Ohio. The RNG will be injected into the existing natural gas pipeline where it can be utilized to offset the use of fossil fuels and decrease carbon emissions into the environment.
COMMON QUESTIONS
WHAT IS AN ANAEROBIC DIGESTION?
“Anaerobic digestion,” or “AD,” refers to the process of using anaerobic bacteria to decompose organic waste like dairy cow manure. This process happens naturally when manure is trapped in an oxygen free environment through a series of enclosed holding tanks and structures.
HOW DO ANAEROBIC DIGESTERS WORK?
An “anaerobic digester” is basically a mechanical stomach. It is an enclosed machine used to intentionally replicate the digestion process and capture the biogas that is naturally produced from the anaerobic bacteria.
WHAT IS BIOGAS?
Biogas or RNG captured by digesters can be used to produce vehicle fuels, generate electricity, or be injected into the utility pipeline. One cow’s manure in a digester can supply the equivalent of 180 gallons of gasoline per year. Four or five cows can supply enough electricity to power a house. The result is a reduced dependence on fossil fuels and other carbon intensive power sources.
DO DIGESTERS REDUCE GHG EMISSIONS?
Methane is a greenhouse gas that is naturally produced through conventional manure storage. By employing manure digesters, the methane is captured to produce renewable energy. Each cows’ manure processed in a digester removes greenhouses gases equivalent to approximately one automobile—roughly 4 metric tons of CO-2 equivalent per year.
HOW ARE DAIRY DIGESTERS REGULATED?
Depending on the location and project scope, digesters are regulated by The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or the Department of Agriculture. Ohio Renewables will be regulated and monitored by the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA).
ARE DIGESTERS GOOD FOR WILDLIFE?
According to the EPA, anaerobic digestion reduces the manure’s chemical oxygen demand by over 50%. This has a direct effect on water quality improvements and leads to healthier crops and nearby aquatic wildlife.
DO DIGESTERS CONTROL ODORS?
Digesters trap much of the odorous gasses produced at dairies while also prevent propagation of flies and other disease vectors. This leads to cleaner air and less odors than traditional manure storage.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE NUTRIENTS?
The digestion process preserves the nutrient value in the manure and kills most pathogens (including E-Coli). It also changes the state of the nutrients so they can be applied to a growing crop.
IS THERE A RISK FOR MANURE RUNOFF?
The digestion process makes the nutrients of manure more plant accessible, allowing them to consume the manure more rapidly. This improves the natural fertilizer value and greatly reduces the risk of potential runoff.
ARE DIGESTERS GOOD FOR SOIL HEALTH?
The digestion process converts the nutrients in manure from an organic state to an inorganic state which creates a more accessible form of nutrients for plants to use.
WILL THE TRUCKS DAMAGE ROADWAYS?
Manure is already being managed and trucked in our region and this is just a new step in the process. ORH officials are working directly with the townships to ensure any trucking impacts will be managed responsibly.
WHAT IS THE ECONOMIC IMPACT?
As a result of our project, over the next ten years, $50 Million is estimated to be generated in our region. In addition, 85 temporary and permanent jobs are expected to be created.