Single-Pass, Split-Stream Harvest of Corn Grain and Stover

Abstract

A grain combine was equipped with a whole-plant corn head and modified to produce single-pass, whole-plant corn harvesting with two crop streams: grain and stover. Capture of potential stover DM varied from 48% to 89% for leaves, from 49% to 92% for stalks, and was greater than 90% for husks and cobs, depending on corn head height. Stover aggregate moisture varied between 36% and 50% (w.b.), and area capacity ranged between 1.6 and 2.6 ha h −1 , depending on corn head height. Whole-plant harvesting reduced area capacity by nearly 50% compared to harvesting with a conventional ear-snapping head. Single-pass stover had an average particle size of 69 mm and bulk densities of 51 and 110 kg DM m −3 in the wagon and bag silo, respectively. Estimated ethanol yield ranged between 2600 and 3945 L ha −1 , depending on corn head height. Fermentation of single-pass stover in a bag silo was adequate, with average losses of 6% of total DM.

Cob Biomass Production in the Western Corn Belt

“…2 and 4). This number is similar to that reported by Hanway [2], but less that that of Shinners et al [13]. Using this relationship, a quick calculation can be made of the potential amount of cob biomass that would be available for harvest if the producer has some idea of his potential grain yield.…”

“…Corn cobs are a potential source of biomass because they are already in the harvest stream and all it would require is a few modifications to harvest this resource. Prototype systems for grain and cob harvest and other fractional schemes already exist [3,13]. The main advantage of this source of biomass is that with some slight modifications to the combine, since it is already being handled, it would just be a matter of finding a practical way to accumulate it and then haul it away from the combine.…”

“…The advantage of using the cob as the source of biomass feedstock is that it is already entering the combine, it is a smaller more dense material, and it requires only small modifications for it to be harvested. For example, Shinners et al [13] state their single-pass combine collects 30% of the stover (a large percentage of it being the cob) when equipment with an ear-snapper head is used. Since the cob is a more dense and less bulky material to harvest than corn stalks and leaves, it would require less additional equipment for harvest, transport, and storage.…”

Ash Content and Calorific Energy of Corn Stover Components in Eastern Canada

“…The second scenario collects cob and husk with a cob harvester and stover processor (e.g., Cob Collection Attachment; Hillco Technologies, Nezperce, ID, USA). The third scenario collects all stover components above the ear; this can be achieved by using a combine equipped with a forage harvester header and a stover processor [19]. The fourth scenario uses equipment similar to the third scenario; the whole stover is harvested by lowering the forage header closer to the ground.…”

“…Few studies have highlighted the possibility to enhance biomass quality by harvesting only specific corn stover components [19,23]. The simulation results in Table 5 are based on standing crop stover quality observed in two climatic zones described in the materials and methods section.…”