Methane Production from Manure

Recent general public awareness that the reserve supply of conventional liquid and gaseous fossil fuels is rapidly diminishing has given rise to a serious concern for securing the future energy supply for all sectors of society. This major concern was brought into sharp focus by the oil embargo imposed in 1973 by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC). This event has been of such significance that energy considerations are frequently time related as to their occurrence having taken place "Prior to" or in "Post" OPEC years. Programs in Canada to promote energy conservation and to stimulate research into potentially viable alternate sources for energy fuels have been very active during the past five "Post OPEC" years. The utilization of the anaerobic digestion process for the conversion of organic raw material into a useful energy fuel has emerged as one technology to receive serious attention. This paper will discuss the