Energy potential of sugarcane and sweet sorghum

Book · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1980

OSTI ID:6818152

Elawad, S H; Gascho, G J; Shih, S F

The potential of sugarcane and sweet sorghum as raw materials for the production of ethanol and petrochemical substitutes is discussed. Both crops belong to the grass family and are classified as C/sub 4/ malateformers which have the highest rate of photosynthesis among terrestrial plants. Large amounts of biomass are required to supply a significant fraction of US energy consumption. Biomass production could be substantially increased by including tops and leaves, adopting narrow row spacing and improving cultural practices. This presents challenges for cultivating, harvesting, and hauling the biomass to processing centers. Large plants and heavy capital investment are essential for energy production. Ethanol and ammonia are the most promising candidates of a biomass program. If sugarcane were to be used for biomass production, breeding programs should be directed for more fermentable sugars and fiber. Energy research on sweet sorghum should be done with syrup varieties. Sweet sorghum needs to be incorporated with other crops because of its short growing season. The disposal of stillage from an extensive ethanol industry may pose environmental problems.

• OSTI ID: 6818152
• Report Number(s): NP-25162
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

09 BIOMASS FUELS
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION
BIOCONVERSION
BIOMASS
CEREALS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
DIGESTION
ENERGY SOURCES
ENERGY YIELD
FERMENTATION
GRAMINEAE
GRASS
HARVESTING
MANAGEMENT
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
PLANTS
PROCESSING
PRODUCTION
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
SORGHUM
SUGAR CANE
SYNTHESIS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
YIELDS