Biomass Feedstock For Production Research Articles

Development and application of BioFeed model for optimization of herbaceous biomass feedstock production

Abstract An efficient and sustainable biomass feedstock production system is critical for the success of the biomass based energy sector. An integrated systems analysis framework to coordinate various feedstock production related activities is, therefore, highly desirable. This article presents research conducted towards the creation of such a framework. A breadth level mixed integer linear programming model, named BioFeed, is proposed that simulates different feedstock production operations such as harvesting, packing, storage, handling and transportation, with the objective of determining the optimal system level configuration on a regional basis. The decision variables include the design/planning as well as management level decisions. The model was applied to a case study of switchgrass production as an energy crop in southern Illinois. The results illustrated that the total cost varied between 45 and 49 $ Mg −1 depending on the collection area and the sustainable biorefinery capacity was about 1.4 Gg d −1 . The transportation fleet consisted of 66 trucks and the average utilization of the fleet was 86%. On-farm covered storage of biomass was highly beneficial for the system. Lack of on-farm open storage and centralized storage reduced the system profit by 17% and 5%, respectively. Increase in the fraction of larger farms within the system reduced the cost and increased the biorefinery capacity, suggesting that co-operative farming is beneficial. The optimization of the harvesting schedule led to 30% increase in the total profit. Sensitivity analysis showed that the reduction in truck idling time as well as increase in baling throughput and output density significantly increased the profit.

A review of remote sensing methods for biomass feedstock production

Monitoring and maximization of bioenergy yield from biomass feedstock has recently become a critically important goal for researchers. Remote sensing represents a potential method to monitor and estimate biomass so as to increase biomass feedstock production from energy crops. This paper reviews the biophysical properties of biomass and remote sensing methods for monitoring energy crops for site-specific management. While several research studies have addressed the agronomic dimensions of this approach, more research is required on perennial energy crops in order to maximize the yield of biomass feedstock. Assessment of established methods could lead to a new strategy to monitor energy crops for the adoption of site-specific management in biomass feedstock production. In this article, satellite, aerial and ground-based remote sensing’s were reviewed and focused on the spatial and temporal resolutions of imagery to adopt for site-specific management. We have concluded that the biomass yield prediction, the ground-based sensing is the most suitable to establish the calibration model and reference for aerial and satellite remote sensing. The aerial and satellite remote sensing are required for wide converge of planning and policy implementations of biomass feedstock production systems.

A novel decomposition and distributed computing approach for the solution of large scale optimization models

Abstract Biomass feedstock production is an important component of the biomass based energy sector. Seasonal and distributed collection of low energy density material creates unique challenges, and optimization of the complete value chain is critical for cost-competitiveness. BioFeed is a mixed integer linear programming (MILP) problem model that has been developed and successfully applied to optimize bioenergy feedstock production system. It integrates the individual farm design and operating decisions with transportation logistics to analyze them as a single system. However, this integration leads to a model that is computationally demanding, leading to large simulation times for simplified case studies. Given these challenges, and in wake of the future model extensions, this work proposes a new computational approach that reduces computational demand, maintains result accuracy, provides modeling flexibility and enables future model enhancements. The new approach, named the Decomposition and Distributed Computing (DDC) approach, first decomposes the model into two separate optimization sub-problems: a production problem, focusing on on-farm activities such as harvesting, and a provision problem, incorporating the post-production activities such as transportation logistics. An iterative scheme based on the concepts from agent based modeling is adapted to solve the production and provision problems iteratively until convergence had been achieved. The computational features of the approach are further enhanced by enabling distributed computing of the individual farm optimization models. Simulation studies comparing the performance of the DDC approach with the rigorous MILP solution approach illustrated an order of magnitude reduction in computational time using the proposed DDC approach. Moreover, the solution obtained using the DDC approach was within ±5% of the rigorous MILP solution. This approach can be a valuable tool to solve complex supply chain optimization problems in other sectors where similar challenges are encountered.

Landscape futures analysis: Assessing the impacts of environmental targets under alternative spatial policy options and future scenarios

Environmental targets are often used in planning for sustainable agricultural landscapes but their impacts are rarely known. In this paper we introduce landscape futures analysis as a method which combines linear programming optimisation with scenario analysis in quantifying the environmental, economic, and social impacts associated with achieving environmental targets, on a landscape scale. We applied the technique in the Lower Murray in southern Australia. Landscape futures models were used to identify specific geographic locations in the landscape for six natural resource management (NRM) actions such that regional environmental targets are achieved. The six potential NRM actions that may be undertaken to achieve environmental targets include remnant vegetation management, ecological restoration, conservation farming, deep-rooted perennials, and the production of biomass and biofuels feedstock for renewable energy generation. We developed landscape futures under four alternative spatial prioritisation policy options and four future climate and commodity price scenarios. The impacts of each landscape future were calculated across a range of environmental, economic, and social indicators. The external drivers, climate change and commodity prices, and internal decisions such as policy options for spatially prioritising NRM actions, both have a strong influence on the costs and benefits of achieving environmental targets. Illustrative results for the cleared agricultural areas in the Mallee region indicate that whilst achieving targets can have substantial environmental benefits, it requires large areas of land use and land management change, and is likely to be costly (up to $348.5 M per year) with flow-on impacts on the regional economy and communities. Environmental targets can be achieved more cost-effectively through spatial planning. Costs can be further reduced if markets are established for carbon, biomass, and biofuels to enable landholders to generate income from undertaking NRM. Landscape futures analysis is an effective tool for supporting the strategic regional NRM policy and planning decisions of how best to set and achieve environmental targets.

Optimization of Miscanthus Harvesting and Handling as an Energy Crop: BioFeed Model Application

The success of the bioenergy sector depends significantly on ensuring efficient and sustainable biomass feedstock production and provision, which requires a comprehensive systems theory based approach. BioFeed is a system-level model that has been proposed to optimize the feedstock production and provision activities. It has been applied in the past to study switchgrass production in Illinois. This work presents recent additions to the BioFeed model to enable a more accurate representation of various biomass production activities for energy crops. While maintaining the original model framework that focuses on farm-level design and operational issues in addition to storage and transportation logistics, new biomass packing and size reduction operations such as pelletization and grinding have been added. The selection and operation of biomass handling equipment such as loaders, unloaders, and in-field transportation equipment have also been incorporated. The addition of these new operations created the challenge of ensuring the logical validity of the operational sequence during model simulation. A superstructure of all possible operational sequences was developed, and the biomass form at the output of every piece of equipment was tracked to ensure appropriate equipment selection. The model was then applied to a case study of Miscanthus production as the energy crop in southern Illinois. The results showed that the optimized delivered cost based on existing technology was about $45 Mg-1. Biomass packing and storage were important components of the total cost distribution. The potential alternatives to reduce the delivered cost included using a single-pass mowing and baling operation, increasing the packing throughput capacity, and extending the harvesting window.

The potential impacts of biomass feedstock production on water resource availability

Biofuels are a major topic of global interest and technology development. Whereas bioenergy crop production is highly dependent on water, bioenergy development requires effective allocation and management of water. The objectives of this investigation were to assess the bioenergy production relative to the impacts on water resource related factors: (1) climate and weather impact on water supplies for biomass production; (2) water use for major bioenergy crop production; and (3) potential alternatives to improve water supplies for bioenergy. Shifts to alternative bioenergy crops with greater water demand may produce unintended consequences for both water resources and energy feedstocks. Sugarcane and corn require 458 and 2036 m 3 water/m 3 ethanol produced, respectively. The water requirements for corn grain production to meet the US-DOE Billion-Ton Vision may increase approximately 6-fold from 8.6 to 50.1 km 3. Furthermore, climate change is impacting water resources throughout the world. In the western US, runoff from snowmelt is occurring earlier altering the timing of water availability. Weather extremes, both drought and flooding, have occurred more frequently over the last 30 years than the previous 100 years. All of these weather events impact bioenergy crop production. These events may be partially mitigated by alternative water management systems that offer potential for more effective water use and conservation. A few potential alternatives include controlled drainage and new next-generation livestock waste treatment systems. Controlled drainage can increase water available to plants and simultaneously improve water quality. New livestock waste treatments systems offer the potential to utilize treated wastewater to produce bioenergy crops. New technologies for cellulosic biomass conversion via thermochemical conversion offer the potential for using more diverse feedstocks with dramatically reduced water requirements. The development of bioenergy feedstocks in the US and throughout the world should carefully consider water resource limitations and their critical connections to ecosystem integrity and sustainability of human food.

Biofuels, Land, and Water: A Systems Approach to Sustainability

There is a strong societal need to evaluate and understand the sustainability of biofuels, especially because of the significant increases in production mandated by many countries, including the United States. Sustainability will be a strong factor in the regulatory environment and investments in biofuels. Biomass feedstock production is an important contributor to environmental, social, and economic impacts from biofuels. This study presents a systems approach where the agricultural, energy, and environmental sectors are considered as components of a single system, and environmental liabilities are used as recoverable resources for biomass feedstock production. We focus on efficient use of land and water resources. We conducted a spatial analysis evaluating marginal land and degraded water resources to improve feedstock productivity with concomitant environmental restoration for the state of Nebraska. Results indicate that utilizing marginal land resources such as riparian and roadway buffer strips, brownfield sites, and marginal agricultural land could produce enough feedstocks to meet a maximum of 22% of the energy requirements of the state compared to the current supply of 2%. Degraded water resources such as nitrate-contaminated groundwater and wastewater were evaluated as sources of nutrients and water to improve feedstock productivity. Spatial overlap between degraded water and marginal land resources was found to be as high as 96% and could maintain sustainable feedstock production on marginal lands. Other benefits of implementing this strategy include feedstock intensification to decrease biomass transportation costs, restoration of contaminated water resources, and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.

Forage and biomass feedstock production from hybrid forage sorghum and sorghum–sudangrass hybrids

AbstractAs the bioenergy industry expands, producers choosing to shift current forage crop production to dedicated biomass crops can benefit from growing lower risk multipurpose crops that maximize management options. Hybrid forage sorghums (HFS) and sorghum–sudangrass hybrids (SSG) are capable of impressive biomass yields and tolerance to environmental stress. Multiple vegetative harvests (ratoon harvests) of sorghum are possible and there are photoperiod‐sensitive sorghums that remain vegetative. However, the response of newer HFS and SSG cultivars to harvest management practices designed for forage or cellulosic feedstock production has not been fully investigated in all environments. The objectives of this study were to: (i) determine biomass production and quality characteristics of a genetically diverse range of HFS, SSG and sudangrass cultivars and evaluate their interaction with harvest system; and (ii) provide data to aid selection of sorghum cultivars for both forage and biofuel uses. Mean yield across all entries and years for a single late season harvest was 27.1 Mg ha−1 of dry matter per year. Mean total yield for a first harvest plus a ratoon crop was 25.5 Mg ha−1 of dry matter per year. However, entries varied for yield and interacted with harvest system. Mean caloric value was 16.5 Gj Mg−1 and modest differences were observed among cultivars evaluated. The best performing entry (cv. Tentaka) yielded 40.3 Mg ha−1 of dry matter for a single late season harvest, demonstrating the biomass potential of existing sorghum cultivars, specifically those possessing photoperiod‐ and/or thermosensitive genotypes.

Soil carbon dioxide fluxes in established switchgrass land managed for biomass production

Switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.) grown for biomass feedstock production has the potential to increase soil C sequestration, and soil CO 2 flux in grassland is an important component in the global C budget. The objectives of this study were to: (1) determine the effects of N fertilization and harvest frequency on soil CO 2 flux, soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC), and potentially mineralizable carbon (PMC); and (2) evaluate the relationship of soil CO 2 flux with soil temperature, soil moisture, SMBC, and PMC. Two N rates (0 and 224 kg ha −1) were applied as NH 4NO 3 and cattle ( Bos Taurus L.) manure. Switchgrass was harvested every year at anthesis or alternate years at anthesis. The data were collected during growing season (May–October) 2001–2004 on switchgrass-dominated Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) land in east-central South Dakota, USA. Manure application increased soil CO 2 flux, SMBC, and PMC during the early portion of the growing season compared with the control, but NH 4NO 3 application did not affect soil CO 2 flux, SMBC, and PMC. However, seasonal variability of soil CO 2 flux was not related to SMBC and PMC. Estimated average soil CO 2 fluxes during the growing periods were 472, 488, and 706 g CO 2–C m −2 for control, NH 4NO 3–N, and manure-N plots, respectively. Switchgrass land with manure application emitted more CO 2, and approximately 45% of the C added with manure was respired to the atmosphere. Switchgrass harvested at anthesis decreased soil CO 2 flux during the latter part of the growing season, and flux was lower under every year harvest treatment than under alternate years harvest. Soil temperature was the most significant single variable to explain the variability in soil CO 2 flux. Soil water content was not a limiting factor in controlling seasonal CO 2 flux.

Biomass feedstock production systems: Economic and environmental benefits

Biomass feedstock production systems: Economic and environmental benefits

International bioenergy transport costs and energy balance

Abstract To supply biomass from production areas to energy importing regions, long-distance international transport is necessary, implying additional logistics, costs, energy consumption and material losses compared to local utilisation. A broad variety of bioenergy chains can be envisioned, comprising different biomass feedstock production systems, pre-treatment and conversion operations, and transport of raw and refined solid biomass and liquid bio-derived fuels. A tool was developed to consistently compare the possible bioenergy supply chains and assess the influence of key parameters, such as distance, timing and scale on performance. Chains of European and Latin American bioenergy carriers delivered to Western Europe were analysed using generic data. European biomass residues and crops can be delivered at 90 and 70 €/tonne dry (4.7 and 3.7 €/GJ HHV ) when shipped as pellets. South American crops are produced against much lower costs. Despite the long shipping distance, the costs in the receiving harbour can be as low as 40 €/tonne dry or 2.1 €/GJ HHV ; the crop's costs account for 25–40% of the delivered costs. The relatively expensive truck transport from production site to gathering point restricts the size of the production area; therefore, a high biomass yield per hectare is vital to enable large-scale systems. In all, 300 MW HHV Latin American biomass in biomass integrated gasification/combined cycle plants may result in cost of electricity as little as 3.5 €cent/kWh, competitive with fossil electricity. Methanol produced in Latin America and delivered to Europe may cost 8–10 €/GJ HHV , when the pellets to methanol conversion is done in Europe the delivered methanol costs are higher. The energy requirement to deliver solid biomass from both crops and residues from the different production countries is 1.2–1.3 MJ primary /MJ delivered (coal ∼1.1 MJ/MJ). International bioenergy trade is possible against low costs and modest energy loss.

Potential production and environmental effects of switchgrass and traditional crops under current and greenhouse-altered climate in the central United States: a simulation study

If, as many climate change analysts speculate, industrial and other emissions of CO 2 can be offset by substitution of biofuels, large areas of land, including agricultural land, may be converted to the production of biomass feedstocks. This paper explores the feasibility for the Missouri–Iowa–Nebraska–Kansas (MINK) region of the US of converting some agricultural land to the production of switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.), a perennial warm season grass, as a biomass energy crop. The erosion productivity impact calculator (EPIC) crop growth model simulated production of corn ( Zea mays L.), sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench), soybean ( Glycine max L.), winter wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.) and switchgrass at 302 sites within the MINK region. The analysis is done for both current climatic conditions and a regional climate model-based scenario of possible climate change. Daily climate records from 1983 to 1993 served as baseline and the NCAR-RegCM2 model (RegCM hereafter) nested within the CSIRO general circulation model (GCM) provided the climate change scenario. Crop production was simulated at two atmospheric CO 2 concentrations ([CO 2]) at 365 and 560 ppm to consider the CO 2-fertilization effect. Simulated yields of the perennial switchgrass increased at all sites with a mean yield increase of 5.0 Mg ha −1 under the RegCM climate change scenario. Switchgrass yields benefited from temperature increases of 3.0–8.0°C, which extended the growing season and reduced the incidence of cold stress. Conversely, the higher temperatures under the RegCM scenario decreased yields of corn, soybean, sorghum and winter wheat due to increased heat stress and a speeding of crop maturity. With no CO 2-fertilization effect, EPIC simulated maximum decreases from baseline of 1.5 Mg ha −1 for corn, 1.0 Mg ha −1 for sorghum, 0.8 Mg ha −1 for soybean and 0.5 Mg ha −1 for winter wheat. Simulated yields increased for all crops under the RegCM scenario with CO 2 set to 560 ppm. Yields increased above baseline for 34% of the soybean and 37% of the winter wheat farms under RegCM/[CO 2] = 560 ppm scenario. Water use increased for all crops under the higher temperatures of the CSIRO scenario. Precipitation increases resulted in greater runoff from the traditional crops but not from switchgrass due to the crop’s increased growth and longer growing season. Simulated soil erosion rates under switchgrass and wheat cultivation were less severe than under corn management. However, simulated erosion under switchgrass was considerable in eastern Iowa during the period of crop establishment because of strong winds at that time.

Switchgrass cultivars and germplasm for biomass feedstock production in Texas

Switchgrass ( Panicum virgatum L.) is a warm-season perennial grass indigenous to North America with excellent potential as a bioenergy crop. Our objective was to determine the yield potential and adaptability of switchgrass cultivars and germplasms in diverse Texas environments where the species might be used as a bioenergy crop. We determined the adaptability of several switchgrass cultivars and germplasms at five ecologically different locations (Beeville, College Station, Dallas, Stephenville, and Temple) in Texas in two experiments during 1992 to 1996. Alamo switchgrass was the best adapted commercially available switchgrass cultivar for biomass feedstock production in Texas in these trials with yields of 8 to 20 Mg ha −1. A single harvest in the fall maximized biomass yield and maintained switchgrass stands. Although very tolerant of moderate or even severe drought, switchgrass failed to yield under chronic extreme drought. At Beeville in 1996, there was no harvestable switchgrass growth because of extreme drought. Upland cultivars from the midwest matured early and did not produce as much biomass as lowland cultivars from the southern U.S. The predominant factor affecting switchgrass productivity in these Texas locations seemed to be rainfall amount. The highest biomass yield at each location generally occurred in years of greatest April to September rainfall. Soil type did not appear to have much influence on biomass production. Soil organic carbon increased from 11.1 to 15. 8 g kg −1 in the upper 30 cm of soil (average of four locations) during 1992 to 1996. These increases in organic carbon indicate a good potential for sequestering carbon through biomass production.

Harvest Management of Switchgrass for Biomass Feedstock and Forage Production

AbstractSwitchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), a warm‐season perennial grass native to North America, has potential as a biomass energy crop. Our objective was to develop harvest management recommendations for biomass feedstock and forage production. ‘Alamo’ switchgrass was established in 1992 at Stephenville and Dallas, TX. Four harvest frequencies (one to four cuts per year) and three final autumn harvests (Sept., Oct., or Nov.) were imposed from 1993 to 1996. Tiller densities were counted each spring. Neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and crude protein (CP) concentrations were measured in 1993 and 1994. Concentrations of NDF were lowest (avg. = 640 g kg−1) and of CP (avg. = 110 g kg−1) were highest in May‐harvested biomass. Forage quality of regrowth decreased with age, reaching NDF concentrations of 790 g kg−1 and CP of <20 g kg−1. Total seasonal yields decreased as harvest frequency increased; however, a severe drought reversed this trend at Dallas in 1996. The highest yields (15–20 Mg ha−1) occurred with a single harvest in mid‐September. Delaying the final harvest until November reduced yields. Harvest date and frequency did not affect tiller density, although tiller density decreased from 900 to 650 and 630 to 310 m−2 at Dallas and Stephenville, respectively, during 1994 to 1997. Thus, a single mid‐September harvest should maximize biomass yields in the south‐central USA. A two‐cut (spring‐autumn) system may allow a farmer to use initial growth as forage and the regrowth for biomass, but total yields would be reduced. More frequent harvests would reduce yields further.

98/01386 United States Department of Energy biomass power demonstration programs: Bain, R. L. et al. Energy Bus. Technol. Sourceb., [World Energy Eng. Congr.], 19th, 1996 (Pub. 1997), 11–19. Edited by Ricketts, J., Fairmont Press, Lilburn, Ga

The United States Department of Energy`s (DOE) Biomass Power Program includes core activities such as: working with the biomass power industry to overcome problems in using some forms of biomass in existing boilers; evaluating and developing advanced technologies such as gasification and pyrolysis; assessing the characteristics of biogas produced from various gasification technologies; developing clean-up technology for high-temperature biogas; supporting small-system demonstrations; analyzing biomass power systems; and sponsoring cost-shared feasibility studies with industry. The Biomass Power Program is supporting integrated efforts such as the {open_quotes}Energy Partnerships for a Strong Economy{close_quotes} initiative, which includes jointly funded commercial application projects such as the Hawaii Biomass Gasifier Project at the Hawaii Commercial and Sugar Company`s sugar processing plant in Paia, Maui, Hawaii, and the Vermont Biomass Gasifier project at Burlington Electric Department`s 50-megawatt wood-fired McNeil Station in Burlington, Vermont. DOE is also supporting commercialization of integrated production systems through a collaborative effort with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and private industry. The objective of the {open_quotes}Biomass Power for Rural Development{close_quotes} initiative is to successfully demonstrate the integration of biomass feedstock production with high-efficiency power production systems which will produce power at cost-competitive rates. This paper will discuss details of a numbermore » of integrated production feasibility studies, technology demonstration projects (the Hawaii and Vermont gasifier projects), and integrated commercialization through the {open_quotes}Biomass Power for Rural Development{close_quotes} initiative; and will show the importance of such projects for future commercialization of biomass-based power generation using advanced technologies.« less

Herbaceous biomass feedstock production: The economic potential and impacts on US agriculture

This paper addresses the economic feasibility and impacts on US agriculture of establishing a biomass crop industry capable of producing 8.4 million GJ of methanol or 9.9 million GJ of ethanol by the year 2030 from grasses grown as biomass feedstocks. The results suggest that such an industry could become commercially viable and that the agricultural economy would benefit. Producers of traditional and biomass crops would benefit most. Consumers and livestock producers would lose from higher crop prices, but these losses would be offset by gains to society from reduced government payments to crop producers.

Biomass for energy: the environmental issues

While biomass is attractive as a renewable low-sulfur fuel, utilization of biomass as an energy resource is not without potential environmental impacts. Competition for arable lands required for food and fiber production is the major issue concerning biomass production. Soil disturbance, nutrient depletion and impaired water quality are also potential environmental effects from biomass feedstock production and utilization of agricultural and forest residues for energy. The severity of these impacts is highly site-dependent and must be assessed regionally. Biochemical processes for converting biomass materials to fuel produce air pollutants, solid wastes and wastewater, which may adversely impact the environment. Thermochemical conversion of biomass to fuels produces air pollutants including particulates, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide and polycyclic organic matter. Other environmental considerations arise from the production and handling of wastewater and solid waste. The environmental impacts from biomass production and conversion can be minimized by implementing careful planning and conservation practices, employing appropriate environmental control technology and utilizing any by-products produced.

Agricultural Policies and Biomass Fuels

The agricultural sector has been a large and growing consumer of energy over the last 30 years. The energy consumed in this sector for production of food and fiber is largely derived from nonrenewable resources of pe­ troleum and natural gas. 1 Concern over dwindling domestic reserves of petroleum and rising energy prices have focused attention on the possible impacts of these energy intensive practices upon food prices and the security of food supplies. Some analysts have recommended increasing the energy efficiency of agriculture to lessen the sensitivity of food prices to energy costs. This would involve maintaining current levels of production while simultaneously reducing the energy consumed. Other analysts have recom­ mended increasing production of biomass feedstock per acre in order to make agriculture a source of renewable energy. To the extent that produc­ tion of biomass feedstock requires energy consumption, an apparent conflict