China Environment Forum 中国环境论坛

"Methane is the product of organic matter and acid forming bacteria to form organic acids, and it smells REALLY BAD!" says Karen Mancl from @OhioStateFABE. Methane forming bacteria like a warm temperature, near neutral pH, and low salt content.

"Open-air aerobic digestion is high-cost and energy intensive, whereas anaerobic methane digestion is low cost and actually produces energy, making it a very enticing option for farmers," says Karen Mancl from @OhioStateFABE.

In the US, research into anaerobic digestion exploded in the 1980's after the oil embargo but died out soon afterwards. In China, the research continued, and the country built 7 million biogas digesters, putting them far ahead of the US, says Karen Mancl from @OhioStateFABE.

In 2006, China's new energy law set a goal of building 40 million household digesters by 2010, and they surpassed that goal. In the US, the @EPA started the #AgSTAR program, building a whopping 254 digesters by 2019, says Karen Mancl from @OhioStateFABE.

"In order to fully utilize anaerobic #methanecapture, you can't just build the household digester. You have to improve waste flow from the kitchen, toilet, and animal pen," says Karen Mancl from @OhioStateFABE. This is sexy stuff!

In southern Chinese provinces, warmer temperatures mean that anaerobic digestion is easier and energy is plentiful. In the north, the systems are less efficient, and fewer farmers want to deal with digesters "going sour" during a cold spell, says Karen Mancl from @OhioStateFABE.