The purpose of this project is to identify a method to cost-effectively utilize manure and other abundant agricultural wastes to produce useful energy. A fuel made from this resource has the potential to reduce farmers' waste disposal and energy expenses, mitigate negative environmental impacts caused by excessive and inappropriately stored manure, and improve the economic viability of farm operations. This research project designed, produced and tested several samples of "straw-pooh" fuel briquettes that could be co-fired with coal in utility-scale power plants, burned on site to produce heat and power for agricultural operations, or used in a medium-scale application, such as district heating (to provide heat to one or more large buildings or structures).
