National Academy of Sciences

Methane Generation from Human, Animal, and Agricultural Wastes National Academy of Sciences

This book deals with the need for alternative energy supplies. Our fossil fuel reserves will eventually be exhausted. Moreover, these reserves are unequally distributed and are becoming too costly for many countries that must purchase them. In addition, the cost of transportation may sharply limit the use of fossil fuels in the rural areas of many developing countries. And, as recent events have shown, the cost ? and the availability ? of these fuels is determined less by market forces than by the decision of the producing nations.

This report is devoted to the development of an alternative energy resource suitable for individual or village use in a rural environment. An ideal resource is one that is local in origin and can produce energy useful for this purpose depending only on local materials and labor. Unlike present rural energy generation (primarily heat from burning), an ideal system should involve a fuel that can be utilized for different kinds of work. The ideal fuel resource should be easily accumulated and stored to provide energy for heating, lighting, small-scale electric power generation, and power for engines as needed. Moreover, where possible, it should also provide more energy.