Methane can be produced from manure through the process of anaerobic digestion. This method of treatment is not used very frequently since several problems are associated with it:
Initial capital cost per animal unit is quite high and is only feasible where a large number of livestock are raised.
Debris in manure can cause major handling problems.
Gas leaks are dangerous since methane is explosive at concentrations of 5%-15% in air.
Pipe and valve corrosion can be a problem.
The digester must be loaded frequently with a uniform quantity of manure, maintained at a uniform temperature, and kept relatively free of antibiotics in order for the process to occur properly.
Technologies, however, continue to change rapidly. For a short article on the value and concerns associated with utilization of manure as a biogas energy source, download the article "Manure Management" at: http://www.epa.gov/globalwarming/publications/outreach/technology/manuremanagement.pdf. For EPA's AGSTAR webpage covering the most current developments in biogas technology, go to: http://www.epa.gov/agstar/index.html
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