Technology

Bioconversion

California is facing many environmental issues. Local chicken farms produce more than 700,000 tons of poultry litter each year, which requires careful management to prevent groundwater and air pollution. California’s air quality is some of the worst in the nation with transportation accounting for nearly 40% of smog-forming pollution. This is a significant challenge in need of a solution.

AgLand Renewables believes our process to turn what would otherwise be waste from the poultry industry into renewable natural gas (RNG) and organic fertilizer is part of the answer. Not only can our facilities revolutionize the farming industry, but our ability to create RNG and green hydrogen through steam-reforming will provide the clean energy of our future.

At full capacity, each of our facilities can recycle more than 150,000 tons of poultry litter annually using field-proven anaerobic digestion and nutrient recovery technologies.

Step One
Enclosed tractor trailers with specialized walking floors deliver chicken litter directly into our airtight systems, all within minutes of arriving onsite.

Step Two
The chicken litter mixes with water in an oxygen-free digester tank at a temperature of 98 degrees Fahrenheit and remains there for roughly 25 days. During this process, the materials begin to break down creating two usable products – a renewable natural gas and an organic fertilizer.

Step Three
This renewable natural gas (RNG) is made of methane, the same material commonly used to heat homes and cook. The gas rises to the top of the tank while the solid materials, called digestate, sit just below.

Step Four
The gas is pulled from the tank and cleaned, upgrading it to pipeline quality standards. It can then be collected and transferred to the natural gas distribution system to be used for electricity generation or as a replacement vehicle fuel.

Step Five
The remaining solid material is further refined using mechanical and chemical processes to create an organic fertilizer product. This process helps significantly remove and stabilize elements like phosphorous and nitrogen, which in some regions easily wash away, polluting the water supply.

Step Six
The organic controlled-release biostimulant fertilizer is then available for local farmers and their suppliers to use as a natural additive for their fields. This product is also able to satisfy the growing demand for organic products in other high-value market segments such as open field fruit & vegetables, professional turf & ornamentals, home lawn care, and hobby gardening.

Step Seven
The water used in this process is then fully recycled into the plant.