Minnesota Agri Power Project. Quarterly report, July 1, 1997--September 30, 1997

Program status and accomplishments for a project to develop alfalfa as a biomass fuel for power generation are summarized in this report. The main areas of reporting include: (1) alfalfa separation pilot plant testing, (2) design of gasification plant, (3) alfalfa leaf meal feeding trials and analysis, (4) integrated plant design and cost estimate, and (5) site plan construction and environmental permits. The alfalfa separation pilot plant fractionation equipment encountered operating problems from rocks and other tramp materials in the alfalfa bales. An investigation of techniques and equipment to remove the tramp materials resulted in the selection of a vibrating conveyor system. The Carbona gasification plant design basis and the Westinghouse scope of supply and design basis for the hot gas filter are provided in the report. The alfalfa leaf meal feeding trials showed that this economically critical co-product can be a viable livestock feed ingredient if favorable price, availability, and quality are maintained. The Stone and Webster basis of design for the integrated plant is included, and the basis for development of gas turbine performance runs is also detailed