A review of energy production systems through the utilization of poultry litter as a fuel source and determination of feasibility for North Carolina farming operations

Abstract

ABSTRACT Crawford, Kyle. A review of Energy Production Systems through the utilization of poultry litter as a fuel source and determination of feasibility for North Carolina’s poultry farming operations (Under the direction of Linda Taylor) There is both a growing demand for clean energy consumption and an increase in agricultural production in order to both feed the world and continue to keep our global environment as clean as possible. The following dissertation aims to determine if clean and sustainable biofuel energy, utilization of poultry litter a fuel source, could be utilized to power the operation of a poultry farm, the same farm in which the litter was derived. Three techniques will be assessed: combustion, gasification, and digestion. In addition, a determination of feasibility associated with an average North Carolina poultry operation will be assessed for long term feasibility and applicability.