Estimated availability of resources for large-scale production of SNG by anaerobic digestion of specially grown plant material
An assessment of the available US resources for producing SNG via the anaerobic digestion of plant material grown for that purpose concludes that the three most important requirements - the appropriate plant species, suitable land, and viable conversion technology - can probably support an eventual SNG-production rate of 7-11 trillion SCF/yr. The biomass plantations needed to produce this volume would cover about 75-100 million acres of land. The preferred plants include fast-growing deciduous trees (poplars, cottonwoods, soft maples, etc.) as well as certain perennial grasses such as Bermuda grass; such species could yield 8-10 dry tons/acre. SNG from the deciduous plant materials would cost about $3.75-$5.00/1000 SCF; from the grasses, $2.80-$3.70/1000 SCF. The total investment, including the cost of the plantations, would range from $1.80 to $3.40/SCF-day of production capacity (assuming 1975 prices and capacities of 50-250 million SCF/day). The study recommends a laboratory investigation of anaerobic-digestion processes.
- OSTI ID:
- 5844079
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: AGA Cat. No. M80779
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
14 SOLAR ENERGY
BIOMASS
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
HIGH BTU GAS
PRODUCTION
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
BIOCONVERSION
DIGESTION
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
MANAGEMENT
PROCESSING
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
090122* - Hydrocarbon Fuels- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass- (1976-1989)
140501 - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion