Wetland Biomass Production: emergent aquatic management options and evaluations. A final subcontract report. [Includes a bibliography containing 686 references on Typha from biological abstracts]

Technical Report · Sun Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 1984

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6897964· OSTI ID:6897964

Pratt, D C; Dubbe, D R; Garver, E G; Linton, P J

The high yield potential and attractive chemical composition of Typha make it a particularly viable energy crop. The Minnesota research effort has demonstrated that total annual biomass yields equivalent to 30 dry tonnes/ha (13 tons/acre) are possible in planted stands. This compares with yields of total plant material between 9 and 16 dry tonnes/ha (4 to 7 tons/acre) in a typical Minnesota corn field. At least 50% of the Typha plant is comprised of a belowground rhizome system containing 40% starch and sugar. This high level of easily fermentable carbohydrate makes rhizomes an attractive feedstock for alcohol production. The aboveground portion of the plant is largely cellulose, and although it is not easily fermentable, it can be gasified or burned. This report is organized in a manner that focuses on the evaluation of the management options task. Results from stand management research performed at the University of Minnesota during 1982 and 1983 are integrated with findings from an extensive survey of relevant emergent aquatic plant research and utilization. These results and findings are then arranged in sections dealing with key steps and issues that need to be dealt with in the development of a managed emergent aquatic bio-energy system. A brief section evaluating the current status of rhizome harvesting is also included along with an indexed bibliography of the biology, ecology, and utilization of Typha which was completed with support from this SERI subcontract. 686 references, 11 figures, 17 tables.

• Research Organization: Minnesota Univ., St. Paul (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-83CH10093
• OSTI ID: 6897964
• Report Number(s): SERI/STR-231-2383; ON: DE84013022
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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09 BIOMASS FUELS
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ALCOHOLS
AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS
AQUATIC SPECIES PROGRAM
BIOMASS
BIOMASS PLANTATIONS
CARBOHYDRATES
CATTAILS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COMBUSTION
DECOMPOSITION
ECOSYSTEMS
ETHANOL
FEDERAL REGION V
HARVESTING
HYDROLYSIS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
LAND USE
LYSIS
MARSHES
MINNESOTA
NORTH AMERICA
NUTRIENTS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXIDATION
PLANTS
PRODUCTIVITY
SACCHARIDES
SOILS
SOLVOLYSIS
SWAMPS
THERMOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
USA
USES
WETLANDS