Generators for Agriculture Industry

Generators for Agriculture Industry
Generators for Agriculture Industry

Agricultural Farm Generators & Biogas Engines

of
Bettencourt

GENERATING PROFITABLE RENEWABLE ENERGY

Rock Creek Dairy, a Bettencourt Dairies operation with 9,000 cows, received odor complaints from local residents. To reduce both the odor and methane emissions from Rock Creek’s cows, an anaerobic digester system was installed. Two Cat® 3520C gas generators, specifically designed to operate on biogas, convert the gas to electricity. Among numerous other benefits, this technology has resolved odor and methane issues, while producing power for the facility and the local grid.

 

The power to sustain your world — and your operation.

What generations before you considered waste is now counted as cost-saving fuel. Byproduct gases from agricultural, food processing, and industrial processes are captured to create agricultural biogas that fuels Cat low-energy fuel generators. And the energy you generate is nearly free power for your facility. It's technology to cut your input costs and reduce the release of harmful gases. Our standby and rental emergency generators help farmers keep their operations running smoothly during costly power outages. From dairy farms to greenhouse facilities, Cat farm generators provide power for all your agricultural applications.  

Choose to sell additional power to your electric utility with our switchgear, including programmable logic controller (PLC) based controls, so you can parallel your farm generators for agricultural industry to the local grid.

Whether it’s an estimate, an installation, or a scheduled maintenance check, our global dealer network is available to keep you running efficiently so you can continue running a successful operation.

Request a Dealer Consultation

 

A Viable Alternative for Electric Power Production

Durable and reliable biogas can yield significant long-range savings, in addition to being environmentally responsible. Biogas, which is derived as a byproduct of many agricultural, food processing, and industrial processes, is used today as a fuel source for engine generators. By tapping into biogas resources with proven Caterpillar technology, agricultural biogas and industrial biogas projects result in:

  • Reduction of carbon emissions through the destruction of naturally occurring methane
  • Reclamation of valuable land space normally used for purifying organic wastewater
  • Elimination of odor and pest issues that are caused by the decomposition of organic material

How It Works

Consisting primarily of methane and carbon dioxide, agricultural biogas is produced through the anaerobic decomposition of organic waste. Instead of allowing uncontrolled decomposition of these wastes and the release of gases into the atmosphere, they are contained in an oxygen-deprived environment such as a covered lagoon or aboveground steel tank. From there, methane is extracted and burned to generate electricity or heat.

Because of the impurities and inconsistencies in biogas, pretreatment is generally required. However, using a gas engine specifically designed to operate on biogas can reduce the amount of investment in pretreatment. Cat low-energy fuel farm generators are engineered to handle fuel with variations in methane content typical of agricultural biogas operations.

Cat biogas engines typically include a crankcase ventilation pump to eject potentially acidic blow-by gases.

Bettencourt Dairy
Bettencourt Dairy

 

How Distributed Generation and Standby Power Work

When power is produced locally without heat recovery from the engine, Caterpillar provides radiators to provide proper cooling to the engine jacket water, engine oil, and aftercooler water circuits. Cat paralleling switchgear is employed to allow generators to operate with one another or in conjunction with a local utility power source.

Although diesel fueled emergency power systems will always be the solution of choice for life safety emergency standby systems, there has been an increasing move toward natural gas fueled standby power systems in recent years. Typically installed with an automatic transfer switch (ATS) or paralleling switchgear control for multiple generators, these systems sense when a utility outage occurs and automatically start the backup power system and transfer power to the emergency source. When normal grid power returns, the control system automatically switches back and shuts down the emergency generator.

 

Cat® Gas Gensets help convert Biogas to clean energy

Byproduct gases from agricultural, food processing, and industrial processes are captured to produce agricultureal biogas for Cat low-energy fuel generators. These farm generators are engineered to handle fuel with variations in methane content typical of biogas operations. And the energy you generate is nearly free power for your facility.

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biogas
biogas

Testimonials

Products Featured in Customer Stories

  • C18 (60 Hz)
    Maximum Rating
    600 ekW
    600 ekW
    Minimum Rating
    500 ekW
    500 ekW
    Emissions/Fuel Strategy
    Low Fuel Consumption
    Low Fuel Consumption

    C18 (60 Hz)

    The C18 diesel generator sets have been developed for your mission critical, standby and prime applications. Producing reliable power from 500 to 600 ekW at 60 Hz, meeting ISO 8528-5 transient response requirements and built to accept 100 % rated load in one step. Our C18 generator sets range from low fuel consumption systems to EPA Stationary Emergency (Tier 2) certified.

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  • G3512 with FAST RESPONSE
    Gas Standby Rating
    750 ekW @ 0.8pf
    750 ekW @ 0.8pf
    Fuel Type
    Natural Gas, Hydrogen Blend (up to 5%)
    Natural Gas, Hydrogen Blend (up to 5%)
    Emissions/Fuel Strategy
    U.S. EPA Certified for Non-Emergency Stationary Genset
    U.S. EPA Certified for Non-Emergency Stationary Genset

    G3512 with FAST RESPONSE

    Caterpillar is leading the power generation marketplace with Fast Response generator sets engineered to deliver unmatched performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.

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  • G3520C
    Continuous Rating
    2050 ekW
    2050 ekW
    Fuel Type
    Natural Gas, Biogas, Coal Gas
    Natural Gas, Biogas, Coal Gas
    Maximum Electrical Efficiency
    40.10%
    40.10%

    G3520C

    From natural gas-fueled combined heat and power (CHP) systems and emergency power for facilities, to renewable biogas energy to support the local grid, or electricity generated from coal mine gases, Caterpillar has a wide range of reliable gas power solutions.

    Learn More

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