Engineer: Sharp Energy
Owner: Sierra Cattle Co
Project: Anaerobic Digester Cover
Size: 6000 Cows (Heifers and Steers)
Material: 60 mil HDPE Cover on Lagoon # 2 (Approx 212,800 SF)
Installer: Environmental Fabrics, Inc.
Sierra Cattle Company. Wastewater Treatment Improvements.
Lindsay, California, December 2004
Sierra Cattle Company, owned by Rob Hilarides, is home to 6,000 heifers and steers. Manure from the heifer ranch was collected in an earthen lagoon. This operation caused unpleasant odors, collected weed seeds, and emitted greenhouse gases.
In an effort to establish itself as an environmental leader in California, Sierra Cattle selected the construction of the biodigester solve these issues and to generate their own power utilizing a renewable fuel source. This ranch now complies with the California dairy net metering law A2228. To help finance the project they used funds from California’s Dairy Power Production Program. Bacteria present in the digester break down volatile solids in the manure, which generates the methane gas which is then combusted in engines/generator sets. They produce approximately 500kW of continuous electrical output.
The material used for all of the anaerobic lagoon covers was 60 mil HDPE manufactured by the Recubrimientos e Impermeabilizaciones SL Ltda. A cover ballast weight system, and a biogas collection system under the cover, were also installed as a part of the system.
Environmental Fabrics, Inc. of Gaston, SC was chosen for the fabrication and installation of the cover and biogas system. Since being placed in operation, the cover system has functioned as designed and with minimal maintenance.
