Systems study of fuels from sugarcane, sweet sorghum, and sugar beets. Volume II. Agricultural considerations. Task 77, final report
The principal findings of the agricultural aspects of the sugar crops research program are summarized. Sugarcane, sugar beets, and sweet sorghum were studied as to their respective production methods, geographical areas in which the crops can be grown, yields, composition, costs, and energy budgets. Sugarcane culture practices in Florida, Louisiana, Texas, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico are compared. Salient factors in production of sugar beets are summarized. The state-of-the-art for sweet sorghum is also presented. The yields of sugarcane with respect to fresh material, dry matter, fermentable solids, and combustible organic products are summarized. The sugar beet product yields and total production by states is presented. Estimates of the yields of sweet sorghum are also included. The present commercial yields of the sugar crops in each agricultural region are far below those obtained under experimental conditions. Comparison of current estimated costs of sugarcane, sugar beets, and sweet sorghum products with prices that would be desired by purchasers interested in the production of fuels and chemical feedstocks is presented. The energy balance between the energy content of the biomass and the fuels required to manufacture this biomass is presented. Speculative forecasts of sugarcane and sweet sorghum production in the years 1985 and 2000, under alternative scenarios, are shown. Potential production of selected chemicals from sugarcane crop products in the year 2000, in a ''critical need'' scenario is shown. Speculative forecasts of the cost of fermentable solids and combustible organic material derived from sugarcane and sweet sorghum are shown.
- Research Organization:
- Battelle Columbus Labs., Ohio (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-92
- OSTI ID:
- 5445553
- Report Number(s):
- BMI-1957(Vol.2)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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