DOCSLIB.ORG

Biomass Valorisation of Arundo Donax L., Miscanthus × Giganteus And

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Biomass Valorisation of Arundo Donax L., Miscanthus × Giganteus And Int. Agrophys., 2017, 31, 575-581 doi: 10.1515/intag-2016-0085 Note Biomass valorisation of Arundo donax L., Miscanthus × giganteus and Sida hermaphrodita for biofuel production** Tajana Krička1, Ana Matin1, Nikola Bilandžija1*, Vanja Jurišić1, Alan Antonović2, Neven Voća1, and Mateja Grubor1 1University of Zagreb Faculty of Agriculture, 2University of Zagreb Faculty of Forestry; Svetošimunska cesta 25, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia Received May 25, 2017; accepted October 12, 2017 Abstract. In the context of the growing demand for bio- the RED (2009/28/EC) directive introduced the term ‘sus- mass, which is being encouraged by the EU directives on the tainable biomass’. This term gained additional power and promotion of the use of renewable energy, recent investigations significance upon the EU Council decision (2016/590) to have been increasingly focused on fast-growing energy crops. The sign the Paris Climate Agreement. aim of this study was to investigate the energy properties of three While defining agricultural biomass, the term ‘biofuel’ types of agricultural energy crops: Arundo donax L., Miscanthus × giganteus and Sida hermaphrodita. This investigation looked is often used. Produced from biomass itself, biofuels can into the content of non-combustible and combustible matter, be divided into several types, in terms of the form of their higher and lower heating values, lignocellulose content, and bio- end use and the type of raw material they are produced mass macro-elements. The results indicate that the energy values from. With respect to their end use, biofuels are classified of these crops are comparable, while their lignocellulose content as solid, liquid and gaseous. shows significant variations. Thus, Arundo donax L. can best be Agricultural lignocellulose biomass carries a large utilised as solid biofuel due to its highest lignin content, while energy potential because it is obtained from the residues Miscanthus × giganteus and Sida hermaphrodita L. can be used of primary agricultural products and from food processing for both liquid and solid biofuels production. As far as Arundo donax L. is concerned, a higher ash level should be taken into by-products (Krička et al., 2012). However, due to their consideration. low requirements when cultivated for biomass production, K e y w o r d s : energy crops, energy values, chemical com- as well as their significant yield of biomass per hectare, position perennial energy crops are being increasingly investigated. These crops are well-adapted for cultivation on marginal INTRODUCTION soils where they do not compete with food production. The According to Directive 2009/28/EC, biomass is the bio- establishing of such plantations in rural areas provides the degradable fraction of products, waste and residues of bio- opportunity to develop an independent renewable energy logical origin, derived from agriculture (including plant and source and has positive influence on agricultural production. animal substances), forestry and related industries, includ- These crops include Arundo donax L., Miscanthus × ing the biodegradable fraction of industrial and municipal giganteus and Sida hermaphrodita. Arundo donax L. is an waste. Biomass production is directly associated with the 8-9 metres high grass species that grows in dense stands. use of soil, which must be sustainable. Sustainability is Its biomass yield depends on moisture content, density and achieved when biomass production is CO2 negative or neu- time of cultivation, and can reach up to 30 t ha1. Arundo tral during its life-cycle. In order to prevent the food versus donax L. is adapted to a wide variety of ecological con- energy competition when biomass production is concerned, ditions, but it is generally associated with riparian and *Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected] wetland systems. Several field studies have highlighted the **This research was funded by the Croatian Science Foundation, beneficial effect of the crop on the environment, due to its under project No. 3328, (2014-2018) ‘Converting waste agricul- minimal requirements with regard to soil tillage, as well as tural biomass and dedicated crops into energy and added value fertilizer and pesticide applications (Riffaldi et al., 2010). products – bio-oil and biochar production’, and by the Ministry of Agriculture under the VIP project (2014-2018) ‘The potential of © 2017 Institute of Agrophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences energy crops Sida hermaphrodita on organic farm’. 576 T. KRIČKA et al. Miscanthus is a promising lignocellulosic feedstock which crop had the best performance in terms of production with various applications, due to its rapid biomass accu- of solid or liquid fuels. The investigations encompassed mulation in temperate climates. Miscanthus x giganteus both non-combustible and combustible properties of bio- can reaches 4 metres in height, and its yields (with applied mass, as well as its heating value, lignocellulose content -1 irrigation) can reach up to 40 t ha (Clifton-Brown, 2001). and macro-elements content. The crop requires limited fertiliser application and very few other inputs, and it adds significant amounts of organic MATERIALS AND METHODS matter to the soil. Three rapidly-growing energy crops, i.e. Arundo don- Sida hermaphrodita is a perennial crop that is 1-4.5 m ax L., Miscanthus × giganteus and Sida hermaphrodita, high (mostly around 3 m). Its yields can reach up to 25 t were investigated. The crops were cultivated in Zagreb and -1 ha (Denisiuk, 2006). Sida hermaphrodita belongs to the Zagreb County, i.e. in the western part of Croatia. The soil at mallow family and is native to North America. It has hairy all three sites was slightly acidic (with the average amount stems and leaves with toothed lobes. Plantations can be of pH (H2O) ranging from 5.39 to 6.53), while the percent- used for up to 25 years whereby the dry woody parts are age of organic matter ranged from 1.53 to 2.13, the nitrogen harvested from late autumn until spring with high and sta- content from 0.09 to 0.17, the amount of phosphorus (P2O5) ble yields. It is an easy-to-handle crop that can be cultivated -1 from 2.32 to 8.98 mg 100 g of soil, and potassium (K O) with conventional farming methods and machinery. 2 from 10.6 to 22.0 mg 100 g-1 of soil. Plantations of the Among the many biomass features, quality is determi- investigated crops were grown using classical agrotechnics, ned by observing non-combustible and combustible pro- perties. The most important indicators of biomass qua- without fertilization and irrigation. The harvest was carried lity are the content of energy-carrying chemical bonds and out in February 2017 when the plants were four years old of the most common elements (nitrogen, carbon, sulphur, (with the average air temperature at the harvested time being hydrogen and oxygen), as well as the total ash content (Tao -15°C). In our research, non-combustible and combustible et al., 2012). properties, heating value, lignocellulose composition and In order to use biomass as fuel in heat and electric ener- macro-element content were investigated. The following gy generation, it is necessary to know its heating values, methods were used: moisture content, i.e., dry matter con- as they constitute a reliable measure for determining the tent (HRN EN 18134-2:2015), was measured in a laboratory energy content of fuel (Jenkins et al., 1998). This is often dryer (INKO, Croatia), nitrogen content (HRN EN ISO expressed as either higher or lower heating value. Higher 16948:2015) was measured in an elementary analyser Vario heating values refer to the heat released in the complete MACRO (Elementar, Germany), ash content (HRN EN combustion of a fuel volume unit which results in the ISO 18122:2015) and coke content (CEN/TS 15148:2009) generation of water vapour and its eventual condensa- were measured in a muffle furnace (Nabertherm, USA), tion. At that point, the released energy is measured. Lower while fixed carbon content (EN 15148:2009) were meas- heating values do not consider the latent heat of the water ured by computed derivation. What is more, carbon and contained in the fuel (Vargas-Moreno, 2012). hydrogen content (HRN EN ISO 16948:2015) and sulphur Biomass is a complex heterogeneous mixture of struc- content (HRN EN ISO 16994:2015) were measured in tural organic components, such as cellulose, hemicellulose a CHNS analyser (Elementar, Germany), oxygen and resi- and lignin. The characterisation of these components dues of elements C, H, N, S were determined by computed (regarding quality and quantity) in a given biomass is cru- derivation, while volatile matter content was measured cial for determining the approach to biomass processing according to EN 15148:2009. The higher heating value was (Antonović et al., 2016) and for understanding the biofuel determined by the EN 14918:2010 method, in an adiabatic reaction mechanism in its production. Biomass quality is calorimeter (IKA, Germany), while the lower heating value crucial for usability, and it is often connected with the con- tent of various micro- and macro-elements. Such biomass was obtained by computed derivation. elemental content is commonly influenced by genetically Determination of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin determined properties, as well as by environmental condi- content was conducted by the modified standard method tions, such as soil characteristics (fertility, pH), weather ISO 5351-1:2002 in laboratory conditions. Finally, the features (precipitations) and plant growing measures – quantity of macro-elements (sodium, magnesium, potas- mainly fertilization (Barglowicz, 2014). Knowledge on the sium and calcium) in the samples was determined by HRN content of different elements in biomass may be useful in EN ISO 16967:2015 methods – in an atomic absorption choosing the method of transforming biomass into energy spectrometer (Perkin Elmer, Analyst 400), with the sam- (Barglowicz, 2014; Borkowska and Lipiński, 2008). ples previously prepared in a microwave oven (HRN EN Therefore, the aim of this work was to investigate the 16968:2015).
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Evaluation of the Combustion Characteristics of Four Perennial Energy Crops (Arundo Donax, Cynara Cardunculus, Miscanthus X Giganteus and Panicum Virgatum)
    2nd World Conference on Biomass for Energy, Industry and Climate Protection, 10-14 May 2004, Rome, Italy EVALUATION OF THE COMBUSTION CHARACTERISTICS OF FOUR PERENNIAL ENERGY CROPS (ARUNDO DONAX, CYNARA CARDUNCULUS, MISCANTHUS X GIGANTEUS AND PANICUM VIRGATUM) Jonas Dahl & Ingwald Obernberger Institute of Resource Efficient and Sustainable Systems, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 25, A - 8010 Graz, Austria, Tel.: +43 (0)316 481300, Fax: +43 (0)316 481300 4; E-mail: [email protected] ABSTRACT: The perennial crops giant reed, switchgrass, miscanthus and cardoon were investigated in laboratory- scale and pilot-scale combustion test runs. Laboratory-scale test runs were conducted in a fixed bed pot reactor monitoring the temperature in the fuel bed and the release of gaseous components while pilot-scale test runs where conducted in a 150 kWth rotating grate fired combustion plant measuring formed emissions of CO, NOX, SO2, HCl, and particulates as well as performing deposit probe measurements. The results revealed that the high concentration of ash and slag forming elements such as Si, K and Ca cause severe problems regarding slagging if not specially considered during combustion. Moreover, high concentrations of N are another challenge regarding measures in order to avoid high emissions of NOx. Moreover, also HCl and SO2 emissions are considerably higher compared to wood fuels due to the higher concentrations of Cl and S in these fuels. Keywords: biomass characteristics, biomass conversion, cynara cardonculus, giant reed, switchgrass, miscanthus 1 INTRODUCTION combustion unit (nominal boiler capacity 150 kWth) were carried out with larger amounts (2-4 tons) of Due to the limited availability of wood fuels, in pelletised switch grass and chopped giant reed and southern Europe, high yield energy crops could give an chopped miscanthus (MI).
    [Show full text]
  • Advanced Biofuel Policies in Select Eu Member States: 2018 Update
    © INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON CLEAN TRANSPORTATION POLICY UPDATE NOVEMBER 2018 ADVANCED BIOFUEL POLICIES IN SELECT EU MEMBER STATES: 2018 UPDATE This policy update provides details on the latest measures that select European ICCT POLICY UPDATES Union (EU) member states, namely Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, SUMMARIZE Sweden, and the United Kingdom, are taking to support advanced alternative fuels. REGULATORY AND OTHER EU POLICY BACKGROUND DEVELOPMENTS In 2018, the European Union (EU) set its climate and energy objectives for 2030. RELATED TO CLEAN They included a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction of at least 40% and a minimum of a TRANSPORTATION 32% share of renewable energy consumption across all sectors.1 GHG emissions in the WORLDWIDE. European transportation sector have declined by only 3.8% since 2008, compared to an 18% decrease, or more, in all other sectors, indicating that the decarbonization of transportation should be a priority for the future.2 Biofuels are one of the options considered to increase renewable energy and decrease the carbon intensity of the transportation sector. Through the use of directives and national legislation, the EU has incentivized both the adoption of conventional food-based biofuels and advanced biofuels, which are made from non-food feedstocks. Such incentives date to 2009, when the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) mandated that by 2020, 10% of energy used in the transportation sector should come from renewable energy sources (RES).3 In 2015, the RED was 1 Jacopo Giuntoli, Final recast Renewable Energy Directive for 2021-2030 in the European Union, (ICCT: Washington, DC, 2018), https://www.theicct.org/publications/final-recast-renewable-energy-directive- 2021-2030-european-union 2 EUROSTAT (Greenhouse gas emissions by source sector (env_air_gge), accessed November 2018), https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat.
    [Show full text]
  • Arundo Donax
    FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY POLICY STATEMENT ON ARUNDO DONAX The Florida Native Plant Society opposes the agricultural production of Arundo donax (giant reed, e- grass, bamboo reed, arundo grass, giant bamboo reed, etc.) as a biofuel in Florida due to its invasive characteristics and empirical evidence of impact on native plant communities. The Society further encourages the eradication of existing stands of this species and the banning of its sale as an ornamental to prevent invasion of native plant habitats in Florida. ---Approved by the Board of Directors of the Florida Native Plant Society on October 28, 2006. BACKGROUND Arundo donax is a large, clumping grass species native to the Indian subcontinent and possibly to adjacent areas of Asia and eastern Europe. It has been spread across most tropical to warm-temperate regions of the globe for various reasons including but not limited to ornamental horticulture, erosion control, reed production for musical instruments, thatch, biomass production (biofuel), and building materials. Outside its native range, Arundo donax is believed to be sterile or nearly sterile and most if not all reproduction is by fragmentation of rhizomes and production of new roots from stems at nodes (Dudley, in press). It is found primarily in riverine habitats where it is broken up and spread during high water events (Else, 1996 as cited in Dudley, in press) and where, once introduced, it spreads vegetatively forming large, dense masses. A single clone can cover hundreds of acres (Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk, 2005). Spread between riverine systems is rarely addressed in the literature with 1) rare viable seed, 2) movement on equipment, 3) deliberate introduction by humans, 4) and occasional movement of plant fragments by animals or humans being known or hypothesized.
    [Show full text]
  • Molecular Identification of Commercialized Medicinal Plants in Southern Morocco
    Molecular Identification of Commercialized Medicinal Plants in Southern Morocco Anneleen Kool1*., Hugo J. de Boer1.,A˚ sa Kru¨ ger2, Anders Rydberg1, Abdelaziz Abbad3, Lars Bjo¨ rk1, Gary Martin4 1 Department of Systematic Biology, Evolutionary Biology Centre, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden, 2 Department of Botany, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden, 3 Laboratory of Biotechnology, Protection and Valorisation of Plant Resources, Faculty of Science Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco, 4 Global Diversity Foundation, Dar Ylane, Marrakech, Morocco Abstract Background: Medicinal plant trade is important for local livelihoods. However, many medicinal plants are difficult to identify when they are sold as roots, powders or bark. DNA barcoding involves using a short, agreed-upon region of a genome as a unique identifier for species– ideally, as a global standard. Research Question: What is the functionality, efficacy and accuracy of the use of barcoding for identifying root material, using medicinal plant roots sold by herbalists in Marrakech, Morocco, as a test dataset. Methodology: In total, 111 root samples were sequenced for four proposed barcode regions rpoC1, psbA-trnH, matK and ITS. Sequences were searched against a tailored reference database of Moroccan medicinal plants and their closest relatives using BLAST and Blastclust, and through inference of RAxML phylograms of the aligned market and reference samples. Principal Findings: Sequencing success was high for rpoC1, psbA-trnH, and ITS, but low for matK. Searches using rpoC1 alone resulted in a number of ambiguous identifications, indicating insufficient DNA variation for accurate species-level identification. Combining rpoC1, psbA-trnH and ITS allowed the majority of the market samples to be identified to genus level.
    [Show full text]
  • Giant Miscanthus Establishment
    Giant Miscanthus Establishment Introduction Giant Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus), a warm-season perennial grass originating in Southeast Asia from two ornamental grasses, M. sacchariflorus and M. sinensis, is a popular candidate crop for biomass production in the Midwestern United States. This sterile hybrid is high yielding with many benefits to the land including soil stabilization and carbon sequestration. Vegetative propagation methods are necessary since giant Miscanthus does not produce viable seed. Field Preparation A giant Miscanthus stand first begins with field seedbed preparation. To provide good soil to rhizome contact, Figure 1. Rhizome segments. Photo credit: Heaton Lab. the seedbed should be tilled to a 3- to 5-inch depth. Soil moisture is critical to proper establishment for early stage time after the first frost in the fall and before the last one in germination. If working with dry land, prepare your field just the spring. If not immediately replanted in a new field, they prior to planting for optimal soil moisture. Good soil contact should be kept moist and cool (37-40º F) in storage. Ideal is also critical, so conversely, don’t till when the land is wet rhizomes have two to three visible buds, are light colored, and clods will form. Nutrient (NPK) and lime applications and firm (Fig. 1). Smaller rhizomes or those that are soft to should be made to the field as necessary before planting, the touch will likely have lower emergence. following typical corn recommendations for the area. Giant Miscanthus does not have high nutrient requirements once RHIZOME PLANTING established, but fields last for 20-30 years, so it is important Specialized rhizome planters are becoming available that adequate nutrition be present at establishment.
    [Show full text]
  • Alhagi Maurorum
    Prepared By Jacob Higgs and Tim Higgs Class 1A EDRR- Early Detection Rapid Response Watch List Common crupina Crupina vulgaris African rue Peganum harmala Small bugloss Anchusa arvensis Mediterranean sage Salvia aethiopis Spring millet Milium vernale Syrian beancaper Zygophyllum fabago North Africa grass Ventenata dubia Plumeless thistle Carduus acanthiodes Malta thistle Centaurea melitensis Common Crupina Crupina vulgaris African rue Peganum harmala Small bugloss Anchusa arvensis Mediterranean sage Salvia aethiopis Spring millet Milium vernale Syrian beancaper Zygophyllum fabago North Africa grass Ventenata dubia Plumeless thistle Carduus acanthiodes Malta thistle Centaurea melitensis m Class 1B Early Detection Camelthorn Alhagi maurorum Garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata Purple starthistle Cantaurea calcitrapa Goatsrue Galega officinalis African mustard Brassica tournefortii Giant Reed Arundo donax Japanese Knotweed Polygonum cuspidatum Vipers bugloss Echium vulgare Elongated mustard Brassica elongate Common St. Johnswort Hypericum perforatum L. Oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare Cutleaf vipergrass Scorzonera laciniata Camelthorn Alhagi maurorum Garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata Purple starthistle Cantaurea calcitrapa Goatsrue Galega officinalis African mustard Brassica tournefortii Giant Reed Arundo donax Japanese Knotweed Polygonum cuspidatum Vipers bugloss Echium vulgare Elongated mustard Brassica elongate Common St. Johnswort Hypericum perforatum L. Oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare Cutleaf vipergrass Scorzonera laciniata Class 2 Control
    [Show full text]
  • Ecology and Management of Arundo Donax, and Approaches to Riparian Habitat Restoration in Southern California
    ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT OF ARUNDO DONAX, AND APPROACHES TO RIPARIAN HABITAT RESTORATION IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. Gary P. Bell The Nature Conservancy of New Mexico, 212 E. Marcy Street, Suite 200, Santa Fe, NM 87501 USA Abstract By far the greatest threat to the dwindling riparian resources of coastal southern California is the alien grass species known as Arundo donax. Over the last 25 years the riparian forests of coastal southern California have become infested with A. donax which has spread by flood-fragmentation and dispersal of vegetative propagules. Arundo donax dramatically alters the ecological/successional processes in riparian systems and ultimately moves most riparian habitats towards pure stands of this alien grass. By current estimates there are tens of thousands of acres of A. donax along the major coastal drainage systems of southern California, including the Santa Ana, Santa Margarita, Ventura, Santa Clara, San Diego, and San Luis Rey rivers. The removal of A. donax from these systems provides numerous downstream benefits in terms of native species habitat, wildfire protection, water quantity and water quality. Introduction Arundo L. is a genus of tall perennial reed-like grasses (Poaceae) with six species native to warmer parts of the Old World. Arundo donax L. (giant reed, bamboo reed, giant reed grass, arundo grass, donax cane, giant cane, river cane, bamboo cane, canne de Provence), is the largest member of the genus and is among the largest of the grasses, growing to a height of 8 m (Fig. 1). This species is believed to be native to freshwaters of eastern Asia (Polunin and Huxley 1987), but has been cultivated throughout Asia, southern Europe, north Africa, and the Middle East for thousands of years and has been planted widely in North and South America and Australasia in the past century (Perdue 1958, Zohary 1962).
    [Show full text]
  • Ornamental Grasses for Kentucky Landscapes Lenore J
    HO-79 Ornamental Grasses for Kentucky Landscapes Lenore J. Nash, Mary L. Witt, Linda Tapp, and A. J. Powell Jr. any ornamental grasses are available for use in resi- Grasses can be purchased in containers or bare-root Mdential and commercial landscapes and gardens. This (without soil). If you purchase plants from a mail-order publication will help you select grasses that fit different nursery, they will be shipped bare-root. Some plants may landscape needs and grasses that are hardy in Kentucky not bloom until the second season, so buying a larger plant (USDA Zone 6). Grasses are selected for their attractive foli- with an established root system is a good idea if you want age, distinctive form, and/or showy flowers and seedheads. landscape value the first year. If you order from a mail- All but one of the grasses mentioned in this publication are order nursery, plants will be shipped in spring with limited perennial types (see Glossary). shipping in summer and fall. Grasses can be used as ground covers, specimen plants, in or near water, perennial borders, rock gardens, or natu- Planting ralized areas. Annual grasses and many perennial grasses When: The best time to plant grasses is spring, so they have attractive flowers and seedheads and are suitable for will be established by the time hot summer months arrive. fresh and dried arrangements. Container-grown grasses can be planted during the sum- mer as long as adequate moisture is supplied. Cool-season Selecting and Buying grasses can be planted in early fall, but plenty of mulch Select a grass that is right for your climate.
    [Show full text]
  • An Armored Scale Released for Biological Control of Giant Reed, Arundo Donax
    112 Session 3 Non-Traditional Biological Control Agents Rhizaspidiotus donacis (Hemiptera: Diaspididae), an Armored Scale Released for Biological Control of Giant Reed, Arundo donax P. J. Moran1, J. A. Goolsby2, A. E. Racelis2, E. Cortés3, M. A. Marcos-García3, A. A. Kirk4 and J. J. Adamczyk5 1U. S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Exotic and Inva- sive Weeds Research Unit, 800 Buchanan St., Albany, CA 94710 USA Email: [email protected] 2USDA-ARS, Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory, Moore Air Base, 22675 N. Moorefield Rd., Edinburg, TX 78541 USA Email: [email protected] 3Instituto de Biodiversidad CIBIO. Universidad de Alicante, Campus Universitario San Vicente del Raspeig, 03080, Alicante, Spain Email: [email protected] 4USDA-ARS, European Biological Control Laboratory, CS 90023 Montferrier-sur-Lez, 34988 Sant Gely du Fesc (Montpelier), France Email: [email protected] 5USDA-ARS, Thad Cochran Southern Horticultural Laboratory, 810 Hwy 26 West, PO Box 287, Poplarville, MS 39470 USA Email: [email protected] Abstract Non-native, invasive perennial grasses have not been widely targeted for classical biological control with insects, despite their global prevalence and damaging effects, in part because of a perceived paucity of host-specific insect herbivores. Armored scales (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) have not been used for biological weed control. However, over 250 armored scale species occur on grasses, of which 87% feed only on this family and 58% feed on only one grass genus, suggesting that armored scales may have unrealized biological control potential. We selected the armored scale Rhizaspidiotus donacis Leonardi as a candidate agent against the exotic, invasive, water-consuming grass known as giant reed (Arundo donax L.), based on literature records and our collections indicating host-specificity to the genus Arundo and its broad geographic range in the Mediterranean basin.
    [Show full text]
  • Invasives and Biofuels
    Invasives and Biofuels Roger C. Anderson School of Biological Sciences Illinois State University Biofuel derived substitutes for petroleum • Two categories of liquid biofuels – First generation • Ethanol (from plant starch, sugar) • Biodiesel (from plant & animal oils) • Methanol (wood) – Second generation • Ceullosic ethanol production • Woody plants and grasses First Generation Biofuels • Examples: Corn, Soybeans, sunflower, sugar cane • Costly: Requires high input of resources – Fertilizer, pesticides, tillage – Utilization prime agricultural land • Degrades natural resources – Dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico • Human food chain • Generally, will not persist without human intervention – Rarely invasive Second Generation Biofuels • Uses grasses, herbs, and trees • Grown on marginal, lower productivity land • Neutral to negative carbon budget Miscanthus giganteus • Low resource demand (fertilizer, pesticides) • Not in human food chains • Perennial Crops – Once planted they will persist – Can be invasive Switchgrass Second Biomass Generation Biofuels Cellulose Enzymes Breakdown Cellulose CO2 Sugars CO2 Ethanol CO2 Fossil BTU 1.23 Fossil BTU 0.74 Fossil BTU @ 0.1 Gasoline Corn Ethanol Cellulosic Ethanol From Coal & Natural Gas From Petroleum Desirable Characteristics of Biofuel Plants • C 4 photosynthesis • Long canopy duration • Perennial • No known pests or diseases • Rapid growth in spring -(to outcompete weeds) • Sterility • High water-use efficiency • Partition nutrients belowground in the fall Two Potential Conflicts in the Nation’s
    [Show full text]
  • Research and Development Final Project Report (Not to Be Used for LINK Projects)
    DEPARTMENT for ENVIRONMENT, FOOD and RURAL AFFAIRS CSG 15 Research and Development Final Project Report (Not to be used for LINK projects) Two hard copies of this form should be returned to: Research Policy and International Division, Final Reports Unit DEFRA, Area 301 Cromwell House, Dean Stanley Street, London, SW1P 3JH. An electronic version should be e-mailed to [email protected] Project title A review of the potential of giant grasses for UK agriculture DEFRA project code NF0419 Contractor organisation SAC, Craibstone Estate, Bucksburn, Aberdeen AB21 9YA and location Total DEFRA project costs £ 10,000 Project start date 01/12/00 Project end date 31/03/01 Executive summary (maximum 2 sides A4) Executive Summary Introduction and background 1. Grasses such as reed canary grass, spartina and switchgrass have been studied to only a modest extent in the UK in comparison with miscanthus and short rotation coppice. In addition, other less widely known species of energy crops have been examined in various countries across the world, but their comparative potential has not been systematically evaluated. The aim of this desk study is to assess the competitive position of all these giant grasses, particularly the lesser known species, for cultivation in the UK. An objective of this work is to draw together the disparate studies conducted. It is aimed to present an evaluation of the agronomic and economic performances of giant grasses with a view to identifying any species with promise for UK conditions that merit more detailed study. Summary of agronomic review of crops for consideration Benchmark crops 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Upgrading of Wheat/Barley and Miscanthus Bio-Oil Over a Sulphided Catalyst Bogdan Shumeiko University of Chemistry and Technology, Czech Republic, [email protected]
    Engineering Conferences International ECI Digital Archives Pyroliq 2019: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Proceedings Biomass and Wastes 6-19-2019 Upgrading of wheat/barley and miscanthus bio-oil over a sulphided catalyst Bogdan Shumeiko University of Chemistry and Technology, Czech Republic, [email protected] Miloš Auersvald University of chemistry and technology, Prague David Kubička University of chemistry and technology, Prague Petr Straka University of chemistry and technology, Prague Pavel Šimáček University of chemistry and technology, Prague See next page for additional authors Follow this and additional works at: https://dc.engconfintl.org/pyroliq_2019 Part of the Engineering Commons Recommended Citation Bogdan Shumeiko, Miloš Auersvald, David Kubička, Petr Straka, Pavel Šimáček, and Dan Vrtiška, "Upgrading of wheat/barley and miscanthus bio-oil over a sulphided catalyst" in "Pyroliq 2019: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Biomass and Wastes", Franco Berruti, ICFAR, Western University, Canada Anthony Dufour, CNRS Nancy, France Wolter Prins, University of Ghent, Belgium Manuel Garcia-Pérez, Washington State University, USA Eds, ECI Symposium Series, (2019). https://dc.engconfintl.org/pyroliq_2019/24 This Abstract and Presentation is brought to you for free and open access by the Proceedings at ECI Digital Archives. It has been accepted for inclusion in Pyroliq 2019: Pyrolysis and Liquefaction of Biomass and Wastes by an authorized administrator of ECI Digital Archives. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Authors Bogdan
    [Show full text]