By Blake Jackson
Kentucky State University researcher Dr. Liang Yu, working with Washington State University collaborators, highlighted that one of the most overlooked materials on dairy farms may hold valuable energy potential. Their study shows that dairy manure can be turned into renewable energy while improving farm sustainability.
Dairy manure creates waste-management challenges for producers, but it also contains materials that can be converted into biogas. Biogas includes methane, which can be captured and used as a renewable energy source instead of being lost as waste.
Dr. Liang Yu of Kentucky State University conducted the study with researchers from Washington State University. Their peer-reviewed findings were recently published in the journal Fuel.
The study focuses on anaerobic digestion, a process where microorganisms break down organic material in a sealed environment without oxygen. This process creates methane-rich biogas that can be used for energy.
Researchers tested a three-stage treatment system. Dairy manure first moves through standard anaerobic digestion. The remaining material is then treated with heat and water through hydrothermal treatment. After that, the material enters a second digestion stage.
Across all tested conditions, the improved system increased methane production. The strongest result came when solids were heated to 180 degrees Celsius for one hour. That treatment delivered a 52 percent higher methane yield. It also improved the breakdown of plant fibers and reduced leftover solids.
“Livestock manure presents a major opportunity for renewable energy production when treated efficiently,” Dr. Yu said. “This study demonstrates that targeted hydrothermal treatment can unlock more usable energy from agricultural waste while remaining practical for real-world farm operations.”
Researchers also designed a closed-loop system that recovers and reuses heat created during processing. This allows the system to remain energy efficient while producing more renewable methane.
“This work supports the development of more sustainable agricultural systems,” Dr. Yu said. “By improving how manure is converted into energy, we can help producers strengthen both environmental stewardship and economic resilience.”
Kentucky State continues to support innovation through its Biological and Agricultural Engineering program, connecting research, student learning, and practical solutions that benefit farms, communities, and future workers.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-magicxeon
Categories: Kentucky, Sustainable Agriculture