The Ontario Biomass Producers Co-operative (OBPC) today announced the launch of a study to assess the feasibility of transforming corn stover into renewable natural gas (RNG). The study sponsor is Northeast Renewables LP, the Toronto-based developer of Project Radius, a cluster of on-farm agricultural RNG facilities in Ontario. The study is endorsed by The Andersons Canada.
OBPC is examining the agronomic and economic feasibility of harvesting, supplying and delivering corn stover to Project Radius RNG facilities in southwestern Ontario. OBPC is consulting with corn growers, custom equipment operators, certified crop advisors and other industry participants. It expects to complete the first phase of its work in late March 2022. Growers or custom operators wishing to be considered for participation in this study should e-mail support@ontariobiomass.com. Growers participating in the study will gain insights into the value-added opportunities associated with corn stover harvesting and the potential agronomic benefits of excess corn stover removal.
The OBPC study is intended to support the creation of an integrated value chain that enables growers to capture extra value from their farming operations while reducing the carbon intensity of agricultural operations and natural gas customers.
At the RNG facility, corn stover bales are chopped using a hammermill crusher and mixed with manure before being fed into an anaerobic digestion system that produces biogas (a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide). An upgrader removes impurities from the agricultural biogas, creating RNG that is then compressed for injection into the existing natural gas pipeline. Digestate – the material left after the anaerobic digestion process is complete – can be safely applied by growers to land as a nutrient-rich organic material that benefits soil and crop growth, is used as livestock bedding or used as a renewable biofuel.