Production Patterns of Perennial Herbaceous Biomass Crops in the Great Lakes Region

Fick, Gary W.; Pfeifer, Rebecca A.; Lathwell, D. J.

doi:10.1080/00908319408909082

Cited by 8 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Precipitation patterns in the Cornell University trials varied among the seven locations where crops were evaluated (15,19) but followed a similar pattern to that experienced at other screening trials. The years of 1985 and 1988 experienced somewhat to seriously below normal precipitation, 1986 was closer to normal, 1987 had above and below normal precipitation depending on location, and 1989 was generally normal or above for all sites.…”

Section: Cornell University -New Yorkmentioning

confidence: 55%

“…(19) Switchgrass was identified as showing promise for well-drained sites, but the establishment problems and weed competition experienced in the trials were a concern. The investigators did suggest that the variety used in the trials (Cave-in-Rock) was possibly not the best choice for the area and that more work on switchgrass was merited for the Great Lakes Region.…”

Section: Cornell University -New Yorkmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Historical Perspective on How and Why Switchgrass was Selected as a "Model" High-Potential Energy Crop

Wright¹

2007

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Section: Cornell University -New Yorkmentioning

confidence: 55%

Section: Cornell University -New Yorkmentioning

confidence: 99%

Historical Perspective on How and Why Switchgrass was Selected as a "Model" High-Potential Energy Crop

Wright¹

2007

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“…Fertilization responses and benefits are still ambiguous: while fertilization improves yields on some soils [81,82], this is surprisingly not the case everywhere [83]. In one early study, the effect of N-fertilization was related to soil drainage class: switchgrass yields were unaffected on welldrained soils, but significantly improved with N on poorly drained soils [57]. Soil drainage is likely also factor of importance determining grass establishment and yields [82], but the potential returns from bioenergy cropping on marginal soils are not likely to justify the considerable cost of drainage installations.…”

Section: Perennial Grass Productionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Cool-season reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) is well adapted to elevated soil moisture [42,77], can survive repeated inundation [78], and is drought-tolerant [77]. In early screening studies, its yields exceeded those of switchgrass on poorly drained northeastern soils, but fell short of potential switchgrass yields on better drained soils [57]. Yields on marginal Iowa mollisols approached those of switchgrass, but at higher per ton production costs [79] due to twice yearly fertilization and harvests.…”

Section: Perennial Grassesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Untapped Potential: Opportunities and Challenges for Sustainable Bioenergy Production from Marginal Lands in the Northeast USA

et al. 2014

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Over two million hectares of marginal land in the Northeast USA no longer used for agriculture may be suitable and available for production of second-generation cellulosic bioenergy crops, offering the potential for increased regional bioenergy production without competing with food production on prime farmland. Current yields of perennial bioenergy grasses and short-rotation woody crops range from 2.3 to 17.4 and 4.5 to 15.5 Mg/ha, respectively, and there is great potential for increased yields. Regional advantages for bioenergy development include abundant water resources, close proximity between production and markets, and compatibility of bioenergy cropping systems with existing agriculture. As New York and New England (a subset of the Northeast region) account for~85 % of the nation's heating oil consumption, production of bioheat, biopower, and combined heat and power could substantially reduce the region's dependence on imported petroleum. While numerous grassroots efforts are underway in the region across supply chains, bioenergy development faces several challenges and unknowns in terms of environmental impact, production, yields, socioeconomics, and policy. We explore the opportunities for second-generation bioenergy production on the unused marginal lands of the Northeast USA and discuss the challenges to be addressed to promote sustainable bioenergy production on the region's underutilized marginal land base.

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“…Therefore, biomass, e.g. herbaceous feedstocks such as switchgrass, is considered an alternative source of energy. − Studies performed at Virginia Tech (Virginia), Auburn University (Alabama), Cornell University (New York), Purdue University (Indiana), and several others aimed at screening potential plants for use as fuel in the Herbaceous Crop program (1986–1992) have shown that some of the tested species can combine high cost-effectiveness with other benefits such as minimal chemical input requirement, low pest and disease risk, etc . Biomass can be used in several ways: it can be added to coal and undergo gasification − or be used alone in fast pyrolysis which leads to high yields of a liquid product called pyrolysis oil, which is catalytically converted into hydrogen , in the presence of steam.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Thermal Analysis in Determining Properties of Herbaceous Materials

Iwanek

Gliński

2018

J. Chem. Educ.

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In this laboratory experiment, students performed thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) of herbaceous materials (TGA-MS) and learned to analyze mass-loss curves, as well as identify common fragmentation ions. The experiment is the first one to present the application of TGA in a currently relevant topic: biomass conversion. A preweighed dry sample of herbaceous origin treated to 700 °C with a steady temperature increase rate exhibited the following mass-loss steps: desorption of adsorbed species (e.g., H2O and CO2) followed by char formation via emission of volatile organic compounds and small inorganic molecules. Next, when the process is carried out in the presence of oxygen, the formed char combusted leaving only the ash in the thermobalance crucible. The proportions of these mass losses are significant in the study of biomass for any potential application, such as in the production of energy in plants which already currently utilizes a mixture of coal and plant-based materials. A comparison of two TGA curves obtained from two portions of the same sample heated in an inert and oxygen-containing atmosphere enabled students to determine if and how the char-formation step is influenced by the presence of oxygen. Students also acquired mass spectrometry data from the gaseous stream that was emitted from the sample during the recorded mass-loss steps. Therefore, students were able to gain a basic understanding of what can happen to biomass upon heating, i.e., formation of H2O (m/z = 18) and CO2 (m/z = 44), and the release of simple organic molecules from complex organic matter, which is manifested in the MS spectrum by the presence of positively charged fragments (m/z = 29, 43, 77, 91, etc.).

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Production Patterns of Perennial Herbaceous Biomass Crops in the Great Lakes Region

Cited by 8 publications

References 8 publications

Historical Perspective on How and Why Switchgrass was Selected as a "Model" High-Potential Energy Crop

Historical Perspective on How and Why Switchgrass was Selected as a "Model" High-Potential Energy Crop

Untapped Potential: Opportunities and Challenges for Sustainable Bioenergy Production from Marginal Lands in the Northeast USA

Application of Thermal Analysis in Determining Properties of Herbaceous Materials

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