Application Facilities of By-Products for Energy Grass Fertilising (original) (raw)
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International Review of Applied Sciences and Engineering, 2015
The world’s energy consumption continues to increase, which results in demographic changes, living standard increases and technical development. In the world and Hungary the interest in biomass crops also has increased considerably over the previous decades. This paper summarizes the most important biological, biotechnological and agronomical researches and results of our working group, in Department of Agricultural Botany, Plant Physiology and Plant Biotechnology, University of Debrecen. It represents our research group publications and introduces some efficient propagation possibilities of promising new perennial bioenergy crops, giant reed (Arundo donax L.) and Virginia fanpetals (Sida hermaphrodita Rushby).
Bioenergy from Perennial Grasses
Advances in Biofuels and Bioenergy, 2018
In recent years, the establishment of perennial grasses as energy crops has emerged as a very viable option mainly due to their comparative ecological advantages over annual energy crops. Nonwoody biomass fuels have a great potential to replace fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, their application in small-scale combustion appliances for heat production is often associated with increased operational problems such as slagging in the bottom ash or deposit formation, as well as elevated gaseous and particulate matter emission levels. To mitigate these problems, scope and limitation of blending raw materials owing to critical fuel composition with less problematic biomasses have been systematically studied during combustion experiments in a commercially available small-scale combustion appliance. Apart from traditional use, perennial rhizomatous grasses display several positive attributes as energy crops because of their high productivity and low demand for nutrient inputs, consequent to the recycling of nutrients by their rhizomes and resistance to biotic as well as abiotic stresses. Therefore, they are used to generate heat and electricity. In addition, grasses appear to be an economically and environmentally appropriate fuel for generating some local energy in rural areas. This chapter gives an overview on species characteristics, their soil-climate requirements, cultivation technology, yielding, and energy characteristics of lignocellulosic biomass of giant miscanthus (Miscanthus × giganteus), reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), and giant reed (Arundo donax L.).
Reed canary grass cultivation’s energy efficiency and fuel quality
2017
The article discusses the energy yield and yield capacity of reed canary grass stands in semi-natural and cultivated meadows with edaphic conditions most favourable for species growing on fertile soil. Energy grass production yields have been assessed with respect to the issues of precipitation, sunshine, and frozen ground. In Estonia, a dried matter level of 4.2–8.5 t ha of reed canary grass may produce 72.91–147.56 GJ ha gross energy by using 1.48–3.06 GJ ha input energy, which consequently nets 71.44–1,445.00 GJ ha. The above finding indicates that 1 MJ input energy enables the production of 2.8 kg dry matter. The efficiency of energy production (ratio of energy returned on energy invested) depends on the amount of input energy used to grow and harvest reed canary grass. The input energy payback ratio for the given case was 48.2–49.4, which was higher than cases with lower and higher dry matter yield levels. Precipitation during the second part of the Estonian summer, heavy winte...
Energies
Analyses were conducted on 10 grass species from permanent grasslands in the Noteć Leniwa and Noteć Bystra valley. Their chemical composition was assayed, and their heat of combustion and heating value were determined. The cellulose content ranged from 33.38% to 38.68%, while the content of lignin ranged from 15.42% to 21.99%, and that of hemicellulose from 30.27% to 34.31%. The heating value of grasses was comparable to that of wood from 2- to 3-year-old willows and other fast-growing energy crops. However, the calorific value of naturally dried grasses may be slightly lower. The quantities of minerals in these grasses, exceeding those in wood, did not result in a lowering of their heat of combustion. The analyses clearly showed that the investigated grass species may be successfully used for energy generation purposes.
Effect of Fertilization on the Energy Profit of Tall Wheatgrass and Reed Canary Grass
Agronomy
Cultivation of energy crops is a part of modern agriculture. In particular, maize (Zea mays L.) is widely grown in central Europe. However, in terms of erosion risk and high demands on fertilization and protection against diseases and pests, its growing is not environmentally friendly. Therefore, possibilities of utilization of other more environmentally friendly energy crops have been examined at present. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of various fertilization (mineral, digestate, control) on the yields of tall wheatgrass (TWG) (Elymus elongatus subsp. ponticus) and reed canary grass (RCG) (Phalaris arundinacea L.) cultivated in a long-term field experiment on the experimental site in Czech Republic. The energy profit from cultivation of these crops and its protective anti-erosion effect were evaluated. The average yields ranged from 4.6 (RCG, mineral fertilization) to 7.4 t/ha (TWG, digestate fertilization). The more profitable species was tall wheatgrass, the bi...
Perennial Energy Grasses: Resilient Crops in a Changing European Agriculture
Agriculture
This review describes the multiple utilization of perennial grasses as resilient crops for a multifunctional agriculture. Beyond its role of producing food, feed and fiber, the concept of multifunctional agriculture includes many other functions, such as ecosystem services, renewable energy production and a contribution to the socio-economic viability of rural areas. Traditionally used for feed, some perennial grasses—known as perennial energy grasses (e.g., miscanthus—Miscanthus × giganteus Greef et Deuter, giant reed—Arundo donax L., switchgrass—Panicun virgatum L., reed canary grass—Phalaris arundinacea L.)—have been recommended as a biomass source for both energy and non-energy applications, and ecosystem services. Perennial grasses are lignocellulosic, low-cost feedstock, able to grow in variable environments including marginal lands. Due to their high yield, resilient traits, biomass composition, energy and environmental sustainability, perennial grasses are a candidate feedst...
Potential for energy production from reed biomass in the Vojvodina region (north Serbia)
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2015
In this paper we estimated the potential of Phragmites australis as an energy source in the Vojvodina region, northern Serbia. Reed is chosen for this study due to its availability, high growth rates, carbon neutrality, characteristics that are beneficial for the sustainability of the ecosystem, and the fact that it does not violate and compete with the surfaces used for food production. Biomass of P. australis can be converted into energy by combustion, producing cellulosic ethanol and biogas. The Province of Vojvodina is a typical lowland region chracterized by intensive agriculture and reduced area with natural vegetation. It comprises cc. 27% of the country's total population. It is an energy-deficient province. The theoretical potential of reed, as a material for the generation of electric energy could meet one quarter of electricity needs in Vojvodina. It can also contribute to the heat energy production with 6390 TJ. As a whole, the Province of Vojvodina has a great potential to produce the reed biomass. However, bioenergy production is not feasible yet, due to the high cost of biomass processing. The significance of reed was more local in character until now, taking into account its ability to purify various types of ecosystems. The use of common reed in systems for ecoremediation (e.g. constructed wetlands in Slovenia) proved to be very efficient and cost-effective. Hence, reed can be considered a potentially profitable energy source in Vojvodina, when the values that are more difficult to estimate are taken into account.
Energy Crops as Alternative Agriculture Crops for Biomass Production in Macedonia and Bulgaria
Journal of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Sciences, 2018
In this review the focus is on few agricultural energy crops, which means crops that are grown exclusively or primarily for the purpose of producing biomass for energy purposes in an agricultural rather than a forestry context. However, cultivation of most of these crops is restricted to certain regions, e.g. by requirements for a certain climate zones. Having in mind the similar agro ecological conditions in R. Macedonia and Bulgaria, but also needs of the crops for successful growth and development, species as miscanthus , switch grass and sweet sorghum are introduced as a potentially used energetic plant species for this part of the Balkan region. optimum N rates for switchgrass varied, from 50 – 110 kg ha -1 year -1 (Planting and Managing Switchgrass as a Biomass Energy Crop) up to 160 – 220 kg ha- 1 year -1 (Is switchgrass a low nutrient input crop or not?). Split applications are more suitable for rates greater than 100 kg ha -1 or for a two-cut harvest system. Investigations ...
Perennial energy crops: growth and management
2009
Summary The production of biomass for energy purposes on agricultural land is an important way to generate renewable energy, and energy crops will probably be grown on a significant and increasing fraction of agricultural land in Europe and worldwide. Among the energy crops, particularly perennial grasses and trees could contribute substantially to alleviation of global problems in climate change and energy security, if high yields can be achieved.
Some Perennial Herbaceous Species for Multiple Energy Purposes in the Republic of Moldova
2018
The sources of renewable energy have acquired considerable interest in recent years, at global and national level. The investigation of local as well as introduced herbaceous plant species for multiple energy purposes is an important objective. We investigated some agro-biological peculiarities, the biochemical composition of the green mass and silage; energy characteristics of dry biomass of the perennial herbaceous species: local cv. Energo of Virginia mallow, Sida hermaphrodita, and an local ecotype of elecampane, Inula helenium, the most frequently used energy crops: maize – for biogas production and wheat straw – for solid biofuel production were used as control variants. It has been established that the gas-forming potential of the green mass of perennial species varied from 440 to 454 l/kg ODM and silage – 433 to 458 l/kg ODM, maize – 536 and 557 l/kg ODM, respectively. The best results of biomethane production were achieved by cv. Energo of Sida hermaphrodita (4000-4050 m/ha...