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Title: Minnesota agripower project. Quarterly report, October--December 1996

Abstract

Alfalfa leaf meal (AML) is a critical co-product to the economics of the alfalfa biomass energy system. Research is being conducted to characterize the nutritional value of ALM in dairy, beef, and turkey diets and provide an estimate of the economic value al ALM to livestock producers.

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Minnesota Valley Alfalfa Producers, Granite Falls, MN (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
503533
Report Number(s):
DOE/GO/10147-1
ON: DE97007723; TRN: 97:004530
DOE Contract Number:
FC36-96GO10147
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Feb 1997
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
09 BIOMASS FUELS; 55 BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE, BASIC STUDIES; ALFALFA; INGESTION; COWS; DIET; PROGRESS REPORT; BIOMASS; ECONOMICS; TURKEY; PROTEINS; RUMINANTS; NUTRITION

Citation Formats

Baloun, J. Minnesota agripower project. Quarterly report, October--December 1996. United States: N. p., 1997. Web. doi:10.2172/503533.
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Baloun, J. Minnesota agripower project. Quarterly report, October--December 1996. United States. doi:10.2172/503533.
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Baloun, J. Sat . "Minnesota agripower project. Quarterly report, October--December 1996". United States. doi:10.2172/503533. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/503533.
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@article{osti_503533,
title = {Minnesota agripower project. Quarterly report, October--December 1996},
author = {Baloun, J.},
abstractNote = {Alfalfa leaf meal (AML) is a critical co-product to the economics of the alfalfa biomass energy system. Research is being conducted to characterize the nutritional value of ALM in dairy, beef, and turkey diets and provide an estimate of the economic value al ALM to livestock producers.},
doi = {10.2172/503533},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1997},
month = {Sat Feb 01 00:00:00 EST 1997}
}
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Technical Report:
View Technical Report (0.79 MB)
DOI:  10.2172/503533
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  • Program status and accomplishments for the quarter are summarized in this report. The Agri-Power project is aimed at the development of alfalfa as a biomass fuel for power generation. Components of the project include varietal evaluation and selection; development of harvest, storage, and transportation systems; pellet production; and assessment of gasification and other combustion systems. Major items reported for the quarter include: (1) Design Package - economic analysis, (2) Review and Confirmation of the Alfalfa Feedwater Supply - sampling studies and resistance studies of varietals, and (3) Project Management, Engineering, and Administration - evaluation of gasification and power generating cycles.

  • This report very briefly summarizes activities related to the use of alfalfa as a fuel for electricity generation. A pilot plant processing facility was obtained and operated during the reporting period. Power purchase agreements and contracts for research and development are noted. Other work included preliminary research of: (1) turkey breeder stock for livestock feeding trials with the co-product alfalfa leaf meal, and (2) USDA indices for power purchase pricing formulas.

  • The Minnesota Valley Alfalfa Producers (MnVAP) propose to build an alfalfa processing plant integrated with an advanced power plant system at the Granite Falls, Minnesota Industrial Park to provide 75 MW of base load electric power and a competitively priced source of value added alfalfa based products. This project will utilize air blown fluidized bed gasification technology to process alfalfa stems and another biomass to produce a hot, clean, low heating value gas that will be used in a gas turbine. Exhaust heat from the gas turbine will be used to generate steam to power a steam turbine and providemore » steam for the processing of the alfalfa leaf into a wide range of products including alfalfa leaf meal, a protein source for livestock. The plant will demonstrate high efficiency and environmentally compatible electric power production, as well as increased economic yield from farm operations in the region. The initial phase of the Minnesota Agripower Project (MAP) will be to perform alfalfa feedstock testing, prepare preliminary designs, and develop detailed plans with estimated costs for project implementation. The second phase of MAP will include detailed engineering, construction, and startup. Full commercial operation will start in 2001.« less

  • ; ;
    This report briefly summarizes preliminary results from crossbreeding alfalfa to develop desirable characteristics for a dedicated biomass feed stock. The varieties development is part of a larger project which includes preparation and gasification of the alfalfa stems for energy production, and use of the co-product alfalfa leaves in livestock feed. The desired alfalfa traits include winter hardiness, resistance to major pathogens, resistance to foliar disease complexes, many thick, tall, solid, non-lodging stems with high lignin content, delayed flowering, and high quality leaves retained through harvest. Currently no alfalfa varieties meet these criteria. Three crosses were made using old European varieties,more » with thick stems, and modern resistant varieties. The crossbreeds showed some resistance to diseases, but increased resistance is needed to maximize leaf and steam yield. 1 tab.« less

  • ;
    Economic analysis is being conducted by the Department of Applied Economics in support of Minnesota Alfalfa Producer`s development of alfalfa as a dedicated biomass feedstock for energy production. University Researchers have assisted in the development and implementation of inventory control systems and procedures. This report lists the tasks for which researchers are currently finalizing economic analysis. The tasks encompass three main areas: (1) optimization of feedstock transportation system, (2) analysis of market potential for new alfalfa products, and (3) total systems analysis.