a method for receiving animal waste from animal confinements or other concentrated animal waste sources and for converting the waste into a usable form is described . the waste contains both liquids and solids . the method includes separating the liquids and solids into separate waste streams , controlling an amount of moisture in the solids waste stream such that the amount of moisture in the solid waste stream is compatible with a selected energy conversion process , and feeding the moisture controlled solid waste into the energy conversion process .