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Improving the Viability and Sustainability of Perennial Grasses for Bioenergy

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Page : 0 pages

File Size : 43,14 MB

Release : 2013

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The adoption of perennial warm-season grass crops for bioenergy production faces significant social, economic, and agronomic challenges. To overcome these hurdles, three separate studies were completed that evaluated alternative plant breeding and agronomic approaches. The first study evaluated the tradeoffs required for breeding programs to incorporate selection for reduced biomass nitrogen concentration. Biomass Yield and nitrogen concentration had a negative genetic correlation (-0.43), but a 50% increase in biomass yield will result in a 37% increase in nitrogen removal with direct selection for biomass yield. Incorporating the goal of reducing nitrogen concentration into a breeding program would result in improving nitrogen reduction by 225% per cycle as compared to direct yield selection, with only a 26% reduction in biomass yield gains. Reducing nitrogen concentration in biomass will improve quality for use of biomass in a combustion system and have minimal effects on quality in an ethanol conversion system. An alternative approach to reduce inputs is to incorporate legumes into warm-season grass crops. Once established, red clover addition increased biomass yields in unfertilized swards to levels equivalent to fertilization of 112 kg nitrogen ha-1 and reduced weed cover by 7%. The yield gains with clover addition were consistent regardless of the warm-season grass accession tested and were due to the production of biomass by the clover. The incorporation of legumes in mixtures with perennial warm-season grasses can and should play a part in improving the viability of these cropping systems. The purpose of the third study was to determine whether increasing genetic diversity can increase biomass yields and reduce weed pressure at the population-level using switchgrass monocultures, big bluestem monocultures, and mixtures of the two species. Genetic diversity was the best predictor of productivity and weed cover, with increased diversity resulting in an increase in productivity of up to 6% and a reduction in weed cover of up to 18.4% in switchgrass and big bluestem monocultures. Only switchgrass genetic diversity was predictive of productivity in species mixtures, but total genetic diversity in species mixtures reduced weed cover by 8.7%.



Perennial Grasses for Bioenergy and Bioproducts

Author : Efthymia Alexopoulou

Publisher : Academic Press

Page : 308 pages

File Size : 36,25 MB

Release : 2018-01-02

Category : Technology & Engineering

ISBN : 0128129018

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Perennial Grasses for Bioenergy and Bioproducts: Production, Uses, Sustainability and Markets for Giant Reed, Miscanthus, Switchgrass, Reed Canary Grass and Bamboo brings together a team of international authors to explore the current utilization, sustainability and future perspectives of perennial grasses in the bioeconomy. The book begins by examining the role of these crops as feedstock for bioenergy, in particular advanced biofuels and bioproducts. It then offers five chapters, each covering one perennial grass type, namely giant reed, miscanthus, switchgrass, reed canary grass and bamboo. The book covers their breeding, cultivation, harvesting, pre-treatment, economics and characterization. The book goes on to present the thermochemical conversion pathways for different types of feedstock. The last chapter explores issues concerning sustainability of perennial grasses, including their production in marginal lands. This thorough overview is a helpful reference for engineering researchers and professionals in the bioenergy sector, whose understanding of feedstock characterization, sustainability and production is critical in the development of conversion technologies. Those in the industrial crops sector will benefit from discussion of various issues surrounding crop production, which can guide their feedstock cultivation, harvesting and pre-treatment for specific conversion processes or end use. The book is also a useful resource for instructors and students in Masters and PhD programs in the area of biomass and energy crops. Policy makers and government agents involved in regulating the bioenergy and bioproducts sector will find comprehensive information to guide their decision making. Explores the whole value chain of grassy feedstock for advanced biofuels and bioproducts, from cultivation to end use, including biomass characterization (physical properties, chemical composition, etc.) and conversion and sustainability Examines the sustainability and economic factors related to perennial grasses and their conversion into biofuels and bioproducts Includes a complete list of grasses relevant for energy uses, and tables with their current and expected future uses and markets





Introduction to Bioenergy

Author : Vaughn C. Nelson

Publisher : CRC Press

Page : 209 pages

File Size : 39,8 MB

Release : 2017-12-19

Category : Nature

ISBN : 1315353938

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Explore a Major Component of Renewable Energy Introduction to Bioenergy takes a look at energy from biomass (thermal energy, power, liquid fuels, and biogas) and envisions a sustainable future fueled by renewable energy. From production to conversion to heat, power, and biofuel, this book breaks down the science of bioenergy and explains the major processes for its production, conversion, and use. Covers Solar Energy, Bioenergy, and Biomass Resources The book begins with an introduction to solar energy (the source of bioenergy) and then moves on to describe bioenergy, biomass, chemical conversion, and the renewable energy processes involved. The authors cover measurement energy parameters, analysis of data, and the prediction of energy production for different bio products. They also consider the institutional, environmental, and economic concerns surrounding bioenergy. An all-inclusive resource covering a rapidly-advancing field, this book: Explores the impact of climate change and global warming on the production of biomass Describes the positive and negative effects of biomass production on ecosystems and biodiversity Illustrates the use of biomass for the production of electricity Considers the replacement of fossil fuels with biofuels, biofuel production, and emerging technologies Addresses institutional and environmental issues relevant to bioenergy Discusses factors impacting the economic feasibility of renewable energy systems Introduction to Bioenergy defines major processes for the production, conversion, and use of bioenergy. A book suitable for coursework or self-study, this essential work serves students and practicing professionals in the renewable energy, environmental science, agriculture engineering, and biology fields.



Biofuels and Bioenergy

Author : Baskar Gurunathan

Publisher : Elsevier

Page : 562 pages

File Size : 14,96 MB

Release : 2021-10-17

Category : Science

ISBN : 032385270X

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Book Description

Biofuels and Bioenergy: Opportunities and Challenges is the first of two volumes that address the technological developments and challenges in the production of a broad range of biofuels and bioenergy products from renewable feedstock. The book emphasizes the opportunities and challenges involved in various processes including fermentation, transesterification, microbial fuels cells, liquefaction, gasification, and pyrolysis. These are also considered from a biorefinery perspective and discuss all common biomass feedstocks. In addition, the book presents new research on microalgae from waste water treatment, large scale production of microalgae, microbial biooil production, biogas production, computational tools for manipulation of metabolic pathway for enhanced biogas production, production of biofuel from genetically modified microalgal biomass, techno-economic analysis, environmental impact and life cycle analysis. Biofuels and Bioenergy is an ideal reference on the latest research for researchers and students working in the area of biofuels and renewable energy. Addresses biological and chemical methods of biofuel and bioenergy production Provides industry case studies alongside in-depth techno-economic analysis, environmental impact, and life cycle assessment of biofuels production Focuses on the commercial viability of production processes





Fueling the Future

Author : United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science. Subcommittee on Energy

Publisher :

Page : 376 pages

File Size : 22,87 MB

Release : 2006

Category : Technology & Engineering

ISBN :

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Forest-Based Biomass Energy

Author : Frank Spellman

Publisher : CRC Press

Page : 514 pages

File Size : 47,90 MB

Release : 2011-12-07

Category : Nature

ISBN : 1439860203

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Book Description

What is forest-based biomass energy and why should we care? Written by environmental expert Frank Spellman, Forest-Based Biomass Energy: Concepts and Applications details how forest biomass can be converted to energy and energy products, including direct combustion, pellets, gasification, and co-firing. It explores the possibilities of forest-based



Bioenergy from Perennial Grasses

Author : Claudia Santibáñez Varnero

Publisher :

Page : pages

File Size : 24,56 MB

Release : 2018

Category : Technology

ISBN :

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In recent years, the establishment of perennial grasses as energy crops has emerged as a very viable option mainly due to their comparative ecological advantages over annual energy crops. Nonwoody biomass fuels have a great potential to replace fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, their application in small-scale combustion appliances for heat production is often associated with increased operational problems such as slagging in the bottom ash or deposit formation, as well as elevated gaseous and particulate matter emission levels. To mitigate these problems, scope and limitation of blending raw materials owing to critical fuel composition with less problematic biomasses have been systematically studied during combustion experiments in a commercially available small-scale combustion appliance. Apart from traditional use, perennial rhizomatous grasses display several positive attributes as energy crops because of their high productivity and low demand for nutrient inputs, consequent to the recycling of nutrients by their rhizomes and resistance to biotic as well as abiotic stresses. Therefore, they are used to generate heat and electricity. In addition, grasses appear to be an economically and environmentally appropriate fuel for generating some local energy in rural areas. This chapter gives an overview on species characteristics, their soil-climate requirements, cultivation technology, yielding, and energy characteristics of lignocellulosic biomass of giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), and giant reed (Arundo donax L.).



Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry

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Page : 82 pages

File Size : 37,30 MB

Release : 2005

Category : Agriculture and energy

ISBN :

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are both strongly committed to expanding the role of biomass as an energy source. In particular, they support biomass fuels and products as a way to reduce the need for oil and gas imports; to support the growth of agriculture, forestry, and rural economies; and to foster major new domestic industries-- biorefineries--making a variety of fuels, chemicals, and other products. As part of this effort, the Biomass R AND D Technical Advisory Committee, a panel established by the Congress to guide the future direction of federally funded biomass R AND D, envisioned a 30 percent replacement of the current U.S. petroleum consumption with biofuels by 2030. Biomass--all plant and plant-derived materials including animal manure, not just starch, sugar, oil crops already used for food and energy--has great potential to provide renewable energy for America s future. Biomass recently surpassed hydropower as the largest domestic source of renewable energy and currently provides over 3 percent of the total energy consumption in the United States. In addition to the many benefits common to renewable energy, biomass is particularly attractive because it is the only current renewable source of liquid transportation fuel. This, of course, makes it invaluable in reducing oil imports--one of our most pressing energy needs. A key question, however, is how large a role could biomass play in responding to the nation's energy demands. Assuming that economic and financial policies and advances in conversion technologies make biomass fuels and products more economically viable, could the biorefinery industry be large enough to have a significant impact on energy supply and oil imports? Any and all contributions are certainly needed, but would the biomass potential be sufficiently large to justify the necessary capital replacements in the fuels and automobile sectors?