The Methane Digester and How It Works

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	Methane Digester Methane digester - it's not for everyone. Only the hardiest of homesteading souls determined to become completely self reliant even in their fuel use will want to try this. However, a methane digester is a great way of using the manure on your property and converting it into something highly useful. If you have a lot of cows - say about 150 or more, you would have enough manure and enough methane to cut back considerably on your energy costs. But even if you have the manure from a family cow, you could still convert that manure into enough methane gas for cooking or heating water. What is Methane? Anytime an organic substance - either from an animal or vegetable source - decomposes, it produces methane gas. Methane gas is a greenhouse gas that is supposed to be far more detrimental on our environment than carbon dioxide. A methane digester takes that gas and converts it into energy. Plus, unlike oil, which is a finite resource, methane is constantly being produced on our planet. We'll never run out of methane gas. Plus, once methane gas is produced, the waste substances left over - both solids and liquids - can be used as organic fertilizers. How a Methane Digester Works When matter breaks down and there is no oxygen, then the anaerobic bacteria break down the matter and produce biogas as a waste product. This happens naturally in swamps, rice fields, soils that are water-logged and the intestines of large animals, but can also be manufactured by storing waste in an airtight container and providing an exit valve for the resulting methane gas. Can it Replace the Power Grid? It could if you had enough manure, preferably cow manure, which is one of the best sources of methane gas. If you have at least 150 cattle or more on your land, it would probably be worth the cost to invest in a large-scale, continuous feed methane digester. With that much manure - and the resulting methane - you could easily generate your own electricity. But For the Rest of Us... Most of us small-scale homesteaders would use a batch-type methane digester. They're relatively easy to assemble - if you know welding. Click here to see an example of a home-built digester. It involves getting two drums: one that is 50 gallons and the other 30 gallons. Cut the top off the 50-gallon drum and the bottom off the 30-gallon drum. Install an exit valve onto the top of the 30-gallon drum. This is where you will tap off the methane gas. Then fill the 50-gallon drum with manure, shredded newspaper and lots of water. Stir it until it becomes slurry - a liquid with particles of manure and newspaper. Put the smaller drum on top and hold it down with weights. The created gas will force the top drum to rise. Release this first gas into the air. It is crucial to do this because this first gas is highly flammable. When the top drum rises again, this gas should be usable methane gas. Warning! Methane gas - like any gas - is highly flammable. You will want to research this thoroughly before you try this at home. Here's a good resource to get you started. Learn More About Going Off the Grid Learn how to make your own solar books with this helpful program. It's not just for a great day at the beach, but the sun can be a great source of energy as well. Learn about harnessing power from the sun. Is it always breezy where you live? You can use all that air to save money. Learn how harnessing the wind is becoming an increasingly viable source of electricity. If you have a small stream nearby, you not only have a source of water, but you could also have a potential source of energy. Learn more here. Want to use that rain on days when it's dry? You can with a rain barrel. Learn why a cistern is great source of back up water for emergency purposes. Find out if solar power is right for you. If you don't have water pumped into your house, you will need an alterative way to deal with waste. Enter the Composting Toilet - How it works and why you should have one. Learn how to make a solar-powered hot water heater with this helpful guide. For the hard-core, off the gridder: The Methane Digester and How it Works. Do you have a drilled well and still want to use it, even when you have no power? Then learn more about a deep well hand pump. Learn the importance of going off the grid. If you live in the country now, or you are considering country life in the future, you will soon realize you don't always have a reliable source of power for your home. That's why knowing a little bit about generators and owning one is so important. Learn more. So what separates the portable propane generator from other generators? You'll find that a propane generator is less expensive to run than the gasoline version, saving you money. Also propane is a much cleaner fuel that produces fewer toxic fumes, making it safer to use around the home. Read more. Using windmills may not be the easiest way to provide power for your home, but if you have the right system and are willing to put in the work, you could have an energy source that will last for years and save you thousands of dollars. Learn more. If you live in a sunny area, solar panels could be a great way to get off the grid. Learn more. Wood burning cook stoves are the epitome of self reliance when it comes to heating your home and cooking food. But be aware there is a learning curve to using this appliance from the past. Learn more. New! Comments Have your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. 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