Gaseous Fuels and Bioelectricity Service Learning Projects and Case Studies

Abstract

Abstract This chapter presents the gaseous biofuel-related service learning projects undertaken by students over many years as part of the University level Bioenergy Program. The students' experiences are described. Particularly three different case studies are presented authored by the respective students who successfully completed their projects. The first case study, “Effect of daily variation in food waste on biogas production during anaerobic digestion,” was conducted in partnership with a local bioenergy business developing scalable anaerobic biodigesters used for biogas and bioelectricity production. The team examined whether daily variation in food waste from breakfast, lunch, and dinner would cause variation in biogas production yields and digester stability, with a purpose to examine whether there is enough balance in nutrient composition of each meal to sustain the microorganisms responsible for biogas production during anaerobic digestion. The second case study, “Potential for anaerobic digestion in meeting statewide energy needs,” determined anaerobic digestion's capacity for offsetting statewide use of fossil fuels, in light of recent legislation, Act 148 in the state of Vermont, requiring diversion of all organics from landfills. The third case study, “Biomass gasification as a strategy for rural electrification in developing nations: lessons from the field,” assessed the environmental and social impacts of Biomass Gasification Energy systems, specifically the necessary supply chains could potentially work well statewide when integrated with working landscape ethic.