The performance and biomass yield of the perennial energy plant Sida hermaphrodita (hereafter referred to as Sida) as a feedstock for biogas and solid fuel was evaluated throughout one entire growing period at agricultural field conditions. A Sida plant development code was established to allow comparison of the plant growth stages and biomass composition. Four scenarios were evaluated to determine the use of Sida biomass with regard to plant development and harvest time: (i) one harvest for solid fuel only; (ii) one harvest for biogas production only; (iii) one harvest for biogas production, followed by a harvest of the regrown biomass for solid fuel; and (iv) two consecutive harvests for biogas production. To determine Sida's value as a feedstock for combustion, we assessed the caloric value, the ash quality, and melting point with regard to DIN EN ISO norms. The results showed highest total dry biomass yields of max. 25 t ha À1, whereas the highest dry matter of 70% to 80% was obtained at the end of the growing period. Scenario (i) clearly indicated the highest energy recovery, accounting for 439 288 MJ ha À1 ; the energy recovery of the four scenarios from highest to lowest followed this order: (i) ≫ (iii) ≫ (iv) > (ii). Analysis of the Sida ashes showed a high melting point of >1500°C, associated with a net calorific value of 16.5-17.2 MJ kg À1 . All prerequisites for DIN EN ISO norms were achieved, indicating Sida's advantage as a solid energy carrier without any post-treatment after harvesting. Cell wall analysis of the stems showed a constant lignin content after sampling week 16 (July), whereas cellulose had already reached a plateau in sampling week 4 (April). The results highlight Sida as a promising woody, perennial plant, providing biomass for flexible and multipurpose energy applications.
Due to an increased awareness of climate change and limited fossil resources, the demand for alternative energy carriers such as biomass has risen significantly during the past years. This development is supported by the idea of a transition to a bio‐based economy reducing fossil‐based carbon dioxide emissions. Based on this trend, biomass for energy is expected to be used in the EU mainly for heating until the end of the decade. The perennial herbaceous mallow plant Sida hermaphrodita (L.) Rusby (‘Sida’) has high potential as an alternative biomass plant for energy purposes. Different density cultivation scenarios of Sida accounting for 1, 2, or 4 plants per m2 resulted in a total biomass yield of 21, 28, and 34 tons dry matter/ha, respectively, over a 3‐year period under agricultural conditions while the overall investment costs almost doubled from 2 to 4 plants per m2. Subsequently, Sida biomass was used as SI) chips, SII) pellets, and SIII) briquettes for combustion studies at pilot plant scale. Pellets outcompeted chips and briquettes by showing low CO emission of 40 mg/Nm3, good burnout, and low slagging behavior, however, with elevated NOx and SO2 levels. In contrast, combustion of chips and briquettes displayed high CO emissions of >1,300 mg/Nm3, while SO2 values were below 100 mg/Nm3. Contents of HCl in the flue gas ranged between 32 and 52 mg/Nm3 for all Sida fuels tested. High contents of alkaline earth metals such as CaO resulted in high ash melting points of up to 1,450°C. Life cycle assessment results showed the lowest ecological impact for Sida pellets taking all production parameters and environmental categories into consideration, showing further advantages of Sida over other alternative biomasses. Overall, the results indicate the improved applicability of pelletized Sida biomass as a renewable biogenic energy carrier for combustion.
Das Sonnenbad auf der EnergiepflanzeDieses Bild entstand am Morgen des 4. Juni 2014. Zum mittlerweile zehnten Mal stand im Rahmen meiner Masterarbeit am Forschungszentrum Jülich, IBG-2: Pflanzenwissenschaften, und an der FH Aachen, Standort Jülich, die wöchentliche Ernte auf dem Sida hermaphrodita-Versuchsfeld in Jülich/Mersch (NRW) an. Diese Pflanze ist auch unter dem Namen "Virginiamalve" und "Sida East" bekannt, und stammt ursprünglich aus Nordamerika. Sida hermaphrodita ist eine mehrjährige Pflanze, der eine hohe Produktivität an Biomasse für die energetische Nutzung nachgesagt wird. Der Himmel zog sich nach anfänglichem Sonnenschein sehr schnell zu, ein Regenguss stand kurz bevor. Die Ernte neigte sich langsam dem Ende zu, als mir bei einem letzten Kontrollgang eine Wanze auf dem Blatt einer Sida-Pflanze auffiel. Genau wie ich für die Ernte, so wollte wohl auch sie die vorerst letzten Sonnenstrahlen ausnutzen. Von jeder der fünf geernteten Pflanzen wurde neben den physiologischen Parametern Entwicklungsstadium, Höhe, Anzahl und Durchmesser der Stängel, ein Foto aufgenommen. Um das beeindruckende Farbenspiel zwischen Insekt und Pflanze festzuhalten, nutzte ich die Gunst der Sekunde und schoss dieses Foto. Keine fünf Minuten später setzte der Regen ein und beendete das Sonnenbad für die Wanze und die Feldarbeit für mich. Zur Beurteilung der Qualität und Nutzbarkeit von Sida hermaphrodita wurden Verfahren zur Bestimmung des Biogasbildungspotenzials, des Brennwertes, der Ascheschmelztemperatur sowie der Elementaranalyse für diese Biomasse herangezogen. In Kombination mit den ermittelten Erträgen lassen sich Aussagen über den Energieertrag erzielen. Doch Sida kann noch mehr: Die Pflanze ist auf Grund ihrer langanhaltenden Blühphase bei Bienen, Hummeln und anderen Bestäuber-Insekten sehr begehrt und dient somit neben ihrer Biomasseproduktion als "Ökosystem-Dienstleister". Mehr zum Thema Sida hermaphrodita u.a. hier: [1] M.
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