The production of herbaceous feedstocks for renewable energy
This document describes the use of a selected group of herbaceous plants as energy feedstocks. Twelve herbaceous crops were selected for study based on their above average yields; their composition, which can increase their value for fuel and other applications; and their ability to produce in a variety of soils and climates. Six of the twelve are carbohydrate crops (sugarcane, sweet sorghum, sweet-stemmed grain sorghum, Jerusalem artichoke, sugar beet, and fodder beet), and six are lignocellulosic crops (kenaf, napiergrass, alfalfa, reed canarygrass, common reed, and water hyacinth). The contribution that herbaceous crops can make to the total US energy supply is discussed. Each candidate crop is characterized in terms of chemical composition, storage, processing, products, and uses. Growth characteristics and production practices in terms of geographic range, yield potential, and cultural requirements are described. Barriers to private sector development of herbaceous energy crops are listed and how R and D programs could be directed to overcome these roadblocks. The areas considered are feedstock selection and production, harvesting and transport, and processing and conversion.
- Research Organization:
- Solar Energy Research Inst., Golden, CO (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-83CH10093
- OSTI ID:
- 6959158
- Report Number(s):
- SERI/SP-273-2302; ON: DE85012136
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140504* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Biomass Production & Conversion-- (-1989)
ALFALFA
AQUATIC ORGANISMS
BACTERIA
BEETS
CEREALS
CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES
FOOD
GRASS
GROWTH
LEGUMINOSAE
MICROORGANISMS
PLANT GROWTH
PLANTS
RESOURCE POTENTIAL
RHIZOBIUM
SORGHUM
SUGAR BEETS
SUGAR CANE
SUNFLOWERS
VEGETABLES
WATER HYACINTHS