At the recent Missouri Pork Association Annual Board Meeting, Kent Schien, president/CEO of Innoventor, Inc., updated the group on its progress in converting affluent from swine production pits and lagoons to new energy resources.

The project has been made possible by a grant through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and, according to Schien, the affluent of one market hog has the potential to produce six to eight gallons of sour crude oil. In addition to the oil, the project would produce byproducts such as clean water for recycling through the livestock production system, the elimination of odor from the affluent, and organic plant foods—all items with significant economic value.

“The upside potential for this project is astounding,“ says Kathy Chinn, chairman of the Missouri Pork Association and a producer from Clarence. “Considering today’s energy and fertilizer prices, the success of this project could create a substantial new revenue source for producers while enhancing environmental issues related to air and water.“

While the market for the sour crude oil isn’t readily available yet, a plant to process sour crude is planned in western Illinois in the near future. Currently, the price of sour crude oil is about half that of the normally quoted sweet crude value.

With most of the lab work and bench testing complete, the next step in this pilot project will be to install a prototype processing unit for on-farm trials during the first half of 2006.

Innoventor is an engineering technology company based in Maryland Heights, Missouri that innovates for its customers and invents proprietary processes and products on its own. Its multiple engineering disciplines and industries participation allows for full turnkey solutions, and the ability to leverage technology from one industry to another.

The Missouri Pork Association represents the state’s pork producers in the areas of promotion, research, education and legislation. For more information on the MPA or any of its programs, log on to www.mopork.com, click here to send us an email, or call (573) 445-8375.

Source: Missouri Pork Association - 3rd January 2006