Military field-feeding generates tons of solid waste that is a costly logistic burden, requiring personnel, vehicles, and fuel that could otherwise be used for the warfighting mission. Such waste also represents a source of chemical energy sufficient to power a field kitchen and/or other force sustainment systems. This research investigated the concept of employing an air-blown downdraft biomass gasifier to convert foodservice waste into useful energy. A prototype system was developed that converts the relatively dry fraction of the waste (i.e., paper and plastic packaging, as well as service items including pulp trays, napkins, and plastic utensils) into combustible producer gas that is used to generate electricity in a diesel engine-generator set adapted for bi-fuel operation. Future work may include enhancements to improve feedstock handling and allow conversion of a greater fraction of the waste stream, including wet food waste.
