The Port of Benton has patented a formula for creating pellets from agricultural waste that can be used to create cleaner, cheaper power and heat.
Last year, Roger Wright of the Port of Benton began working with different types of agricultural waste -- such as grape pomace, spent hops and mint slug -- to see which formula, when pelletized, created the highest BTUs.
The port received more than $200,000 in grants to do the study to demonstrate that biomass -- agricultural waste byproducts -- from area farmers could be used as a feedstock to produce clean energy through gasification.
Nearly two million tons of agricultural waste is generated each year in Benton, Franklin, Yakima, Walla Walla, and Klickitat counties.
While some of the waste can be used as feed for cattle and other stock, historically much of it has been dumped in rural areas, creating safety issues.
During the study, the waste was pelletized by Yakima Chief in Sunnyside. The pellets were then taken to FruitSmart, a Prosser-based company that dries fruit pulp, extracts the seeds and creates value-added products for the food manufacturing business.
Each day, the pellets were shoveled into a "biomass" gasifier, which burned the pellets and converted them to energy that was used to operate FruitSmart's seed separation machine, instead of the propane the company generally used. The experiment offset propane costs by up to 40 percent, Wright said.
And they kept track of which pellet "recipes" provided the highest BTUs, offering the greatest efficiency.
Wright said the project proved that agricultural waste could by processed into a fuel pellet that could produce clean energy at an economical cost when compared with other fuels.
The port isn't looking to get into the pellet production business itself, but it is looking for a company that's interested in manufacturing the pellets for them, said Scott Keller, the port's executive director.
The port's job is economical development, Keller said, and it will use the patent as a carrot to convince a pellet manufacturer to set up business in Benton County.
"Not so much as to collect royalty, but to force someone who is interested in doing something with it to do it here -- so we can do the project here and create jobs," Wright said.
Wright said the port is hoping to purchase industrial land in rural Benton County -- preferably the Prosser area -- to buy for a manufacturing plant. The location needs to be central to keep the cost of hauling agricultural waste low.
And the port is in discussions with Bear Mountain Forest Products, an Oregon-based company that makes wood pellets. Bob Sourek, the owner of the company, met with port officials last week, Wright said.
The port also is hoping to purchase a commercial gasifier and generator so it will be able to demonstrate the capabilities long-term.
Port officials demonstrated the project for Rep. Doc Hastings, R-Wash., last December in Whitstran.
Hastings said the project presents an exciting opportunity for the port and the community.
"Converting agriculture byproducts to fuel seems to be a natural fit for our farm-based communities," Hastings said.
