Hydrocarbons and energy from plants. [Euphorbias]
To explore the feasibility of obtaining fuels and chemical feedstocks by extraction of reduced photosynthetic materials from latex-bearing plants, field studies were undertaken in the cultivation and harvesting of Euphorbia lathyrus, a shrub that grows wild in the California climate. Preliminary results with wild seed and without the benefit of optimization of fertilizer and irrigation conditions gave an annual crop yield of about 12 dry tons per acre. Continuing agronomic studies are suggested for improving this yield. Reduced photosynthate can be extracted with various solvents from the plant material to the extent of 8.7% of dry plant weight. The extract is a complex mixture, averaging between 400 and 500 in molecular weight. It contains some paraffins and carotenoids in addition to the major components, which are apparently pentacyclic triterpenones. A typical extract has a heat of combustion of 17,000 BTU per pound. Results of a very preliminary economic study of a conceptual process, including a biomass operation and a processing plant that extracts the oily material and leaves behind a saleable, cellulosic residue, indicate a cost of $30 to $45 per barrel for the oil extract.
- Research Organization:
- California Univ., Berkeley (USA). Lawrence Berkeley Lab.
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-7405-ENG-48
- OSTI ID:
- 6497919
- Report Number(s):
- LBL-8596; CONF-7811119-1
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
090122 -- Hydrocarbon Fuels-- Preparation from Wastes or Biomass-- (1976-1989)
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ALKANES
BIOMASS
CHEMICAL FEEDSTOCKS
COMBUSTION HEAT
CROPS
CULTIVATION
ECONOMICS
ELASTOMERS
ENERGY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENTHALPY
EXTRACTION
FEASIBILITY STUDIES
HARVESTING
HEAT
HYDROCARBONS
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
LATEX
OILS
OPTIMIZATION
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
OTHER ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PLANTS
POLYISOPRENE
POLYMERS
PRODUCTIVITY
REACTION HEAT
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
RUBBERS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES
WAXES
YIELDS