TABLE OF CONTENTS As discussed in the previous section, FBC technology is a key contributor in the implementation of clean coal strategies. As part of these strategies, PFBC has been identified as playing a role in providing niche opportunities, most likely over the medium to long term. There are near-term opportunities, though, for FBC technology to support niche markets that are not currently being addressed. One such potential application is the ability for FBC technology to provide security to a nation's food supply,which is being explored in the United States but is relevant worldwide [10]. The unique opportunity is discussed in this section and is of interest to the food industry mainly because of an FBC boiler's ability to accommodate low-grade fuels. The following discussion is a summary ofwork thatwas performed at Penn State, at the requestof and with support from the food industry (i.e., National Cattlemen's Beef Association [NCBA] and Cargill Meats Solutions) [23] [86] [87] [88] [89] [90] [91] State government (i.e., Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority [PEDA]) [17], and federal government (i.e., U.S. Department of Energy [DOE]) [92].
The United States agricultural sector, of which animal agriculture comprises a substantial portion, accounts for about 13% of the United States' gross domestic product and nearly 17% of United States jobs [93] The value of U.S. livestock commodities is enormous, amounting to $105 billion during 2003 with United States animal agriculture contributing...
