FAIRMONT - Thanks in part to a study by Rural Advantage and Kahler Automation, production of industrial microwave units to create renewable energy could become a reality.
It all started last year with a $25,000 grant from Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation for a feasibility study at Kahler Automation.
"For Kahler, it's a good fit for what they do," said Linda Meschke, president of Rural Advantage. "The capacity is there, and there is a company in New Hampshire that is able to supply the microwave portion of the unit ... Now the question is, what is the market for this? Is it adequate or does it need to evolve? There will be some additional work to determine that."
The microwave units are not like the ones in kitchens used for heating leftovers or popping popcorn. Instead, these units can take any organic material and break it down into crude bio-oil, synthetic natural gas and ash/charred product.
"It's about a 40, 40, 20 split with the oil and gas breaking down into the 40 percents," Meschke said. "The ash can be used as fertilizer; the oil can be made into composites like petroleum, plastics or foam; and the gas can be used as natural gas. But in this case, the gas goes through a turbine to generate electricity to power the microwave unit."
Several things that separate the microwave from other technologies include its ability to handle any organic material and different mixtures. No water is needed, and it uses less energy, heat and pressure.
"The materials are densified by seven and a half times," said Chris Pierce of Martin County EDA. "So transportation costs for these products also will be reduced."
The technology was proven to work before the feasibility study began, according to Meschke. The University of Minnesota has one of the microwave units and is working on a mobile unit to use in demonstrations throughout the state this summer.
"Rural Advantage is providing the feed stock and also helping set up these demonstrations," Meschke said. "We're hoping that these units can be built at Kahler Automation. We're taking an idea from the U of M and trying to get it to commercialization, and getting our foot in the door at the early stages."
The units, estimated to cost about $350,000 each, will be smaller-scale and able to serve entire communities or a co-op.
Future plans for the units could go many directions, including sending the bio-oils to refineries in the state, or building plastic facilities. But those directions are far from being determined.
"We're already ahead of the game with the '25 by 25,'" Pierce said, regarding the state mandate of 25 percent of the state's energy coming from renewable sources by the year 2025. "Eventually, the market will have a demand for this. By being involved now, it shows the university that our county is interested and we're building that rapport with them ... This project is a natural fit for our EDA and the county."