The problem solvers

AURI’s waste utilization program builds
momentum refining products and processes

Story by Dan Lemke
Photos by Rolf Hagberg

Waseca, Minn. — If you ask Jack Johnson or Alan Doering to explain what they do, you’d better allow a little time for the answer. From composting livestock mortalities to studying ways to make ethanol more profitable, there’s a lot going on in AURI’s waste utilization and engineering services program.

Johnson, director of engineering services, was key in establishing the waste utilization program nearly eight years ago. The focus, he says, used to be strictly utilization, but “now we’re increasing engineering services, including helping clients find the correct equipment (to handle waste) and evaluating their processes.”

As the increase in clientele and services stretched Johnson’s one-man show, it became unworkable to run the lab and still meet with clients to assess needs. That’s when Al Doering came in.

Since January, Doering has served as technical services specialist for AURI’s Waseca-based waste utilization and engineering services program. He keeps AURI’s unique collection of lab hardware humming. Using mixers, dryers, extruders and all, Doering works to increases uses for lower value commodities such as crop residue or food processing waste. If needed technology isn’t available at the lab, alliances with others allows him access to additional equipment.

Neither Johnson nor Doering is aware of any similar facility helping entrepreneurs develop products from agricultural waste products.

“This has always been a unique program and we’ve always had the demand,” says Johnson, “We’ve scaled up our resources so now as new ideas come up we can help prototype and be an active part of the testing and feasibility to bring ideas to reality. We fill a niche that can’t be filled elsewhere.”

Johnson’s work on fiber coproducts led to several patents for highly refined cellulose, which AURI jointly holds with the University of Minnesota. The cellulose could be used in place of plastic film or other products where degradability is important.

Much of Johnson’s and Doering’s work comes early in a product’s development and can involve formulation testing, actual production runs and performance testing. Recent projects include work on specialty animal feeds, absorbent materials and soil abatement products. The team is also collaborating with swine researchers at the U of M Southern Research and Outreach Center to test the effects of various feed rations and non-traditional feed ingredients on hog odor.

Technology transfer, technical assistance and help with regulatory compliance round out the program. Johnson’s expertise has also been tapped on waste treatment projects including hog odor treatment systems and a low-flow wastewater pre-treatment system.

Both men are involved in a statewide effort to examine potential revenue streams for the state’s 15 ethanol-producing plants.

“Some projects involve a simple production run and you’re done,” Doering says. “Others require a lot of analytical work and testing. But that carries with it a lot of job satisfaction in seeing a product from beginning to end. In other words, we don’t get bored.”