Data from the VTCAD (Vermont Tech Community Anaerobic Digester)
VTCAD feedstock and operational data are presented in Excel tables with graphical display. Daily information is organized by month. - Daily feedstock materials are divided into on-farm vs. off-farm, and volumes of all feedstock materials are recorded. - Daily Operational data include: - biogas volume - biogas quality (% methane & ppm H2S) - electricity produced (kWh) - electricity consumed (kWh) - pH values for hydrolysis & anaerobic digestion tanks - Ripley ratios (VFA : alkalinity) for hydrolysis & anaerobic digestion tanks - total, partial and intermediate alkalinity values for hydrolysis & anaerobic digestion tanks (CaCO3 mg/L) Biomass pellet boiler at the Red School House
The Red School House was built in 1903 and served as the elementary school for Randolph Center for many years; the heating system burned coal. This historic educational building now serves as classroom and office space for Vermont Tech’s agriculture programs. Two years ago, the building was renovated, insulated and made energy efficient. With funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, obtained with the help of Senator Bernie Sanders, the college purchased a sophisticated biomass pellet boiler that was installed in the Red School House by SunWood Systems of Waitsfield, Vermont. During the winter of 2011 – 2012, nearly 18.65 tons of wood pellets were burned in the Frohling pellet boiler. Use of renewable biomass pellets saved the college $2,490.87 and dramatically lowered the carbon footprint for the RSH which had recently been heated with petroleum fuel oil. Allen House biodiesel / diesel furnace
The Allen House, now home to the Admissions Department, is one of the oldest buildings on campus. During renovations several years ago the insulation and windows were upgraded and the heating system was converted to a boiler capable of burning either biodiesel or diesel. Over the last winter the college's local source of biodiesel disappeared. |