scholarly journals Mechanical Properties of Hemp (Cannabis Sativa) Biomass

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 184
Author(s):  
Andris Kronbergs ◽  
Elgars Širaks ◽  
Aleksandrs Adamovičs ◽  
Ēriks Kronbergs
Keyword(s):  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Cannabis Sativa ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Energy Crop ◽  
Agricultural Ecosystem ◽  
Mass Unit ◽  
Cutting Energy ◽  
Cross Section Area ◽  
Solid Biofuel

In Latvia approximately of 14.6% of unfarmed agricultural land can be used for herbaceous energy crop growing. Herbaceous energy crops would be as the main basis for solid biofuel production in agricultural ecosystem in future. Herbaceous energy crops as hemp (Cannabis sativa) are grown in recent years and can be used for solid biofuel production. Experimentally stated hemp stalk material ultimate tensile strength the medium value is 85 ± 9 N mm-2. The main conditioning operation before preparation of herbaceous biomass compositions for solid biofuel production is shredding. Therefore hemp stalks were used for cutting experiments. Cutting using different types of knives mechanisms had been investigated. Specific shear cutting energy for hemp samples were within 0.02 – 0.04 J mm-2. Hemp stalk material density was determined using AutoCAD software for cross-section area calculation. Density values are 325 ± 18 kg m-3 for hemp stalks. Specific cutting energy per mass unit was calculated on basis of experimentally estimated values of cutting energy and density.

scholarly journals CONDITIONING OF ENERGU CROPS FOR BIOENERGY PRODUCTION

2015 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 38
Author(s):  
Ēriks Kronbergs ◽  
Mareks Šmits
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Agricultural Land ◽  
Minimum Energy ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Common Reed ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Energy Crop ◽  
Renewable Energy Resources ◽  
Minimum Energy Consumption ◽  
Solid Biofuel

The main steps of rural policy to the development of renewable energy resources are energy crop production. Latvia can provide for the use of approximately 0.36 million ha of the unused now agricultural land for herbaceous energy crop growing. More than 230 million tones of peat are available for solid biofuel production. Peat is recomended as additive because it improves density and burning properties of herbaceous material solid biofuel. Herbaceous stalk material can be harvested in winter season with humidity less than 15% and used for compacting without drying. The aim of experimental investigation is to determine conditioning methods for solid biofuel production with minimum energy consumption. Common reed stalk material is used for experiments, because it experimentally stated ultimate tensile strength is 256 ± 27 N mm-2. This value testifies that common reeds are twice strongest material than cereal crop stalk materials and conditioning mechanization equipment of common reeds would be useful for other energy crops.

scholarly journals Biomass valorisation of Arundo donax L., Miscanthus × giganteus and Sida hermaphrodita for biofuel production

2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 575-581 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tajana Krička ◽  
Ana Matin ◽  
Nikola Bilandžija ◽  
Vanja Jurišić ◽  
Alan Antonović ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lignin Content ◽  
Arundo Donax ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Miscanthus Giganteus ◽  
Solid Biofuels ◽  
Solid Biofuel ◽  
Biomass Valorisation ◽  
Lower Heating ◽  
The Eu

Abstract In the context of the growing demand for biomass, which is being encouraged by the EU directives on the promotion of the use of renewable energy, recent investigations have been increasingly focused on fast-growing energy crops. The aim of this study was to investigate the energy properties of three types of agricultural energy crops: Arundo donax L., Miscanthus × giganteus and Sida hermaphrodita. This investigation looked into the content of non-combustible and combustible matter, higher and lower heating values, lignocellulose content, and biomass macro-elements. The results indicate that the energy values of these crops are comparable, while their lignocellulose content shows significant variations. Thus, Arundo donax L. can best be utilised as solid biofuel due to its highest lignin content, while Miscanthus × giganteus and Sida hermaphrodita L. can be used for both liquid and solid biofuels production. As far as Arundo donax L. is concerned, a higher ash level should be taken into consideration.

Adaptability of Chopper Harvester in Harvesting Sugarcane, Energy Cane, and Banagrass

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-35
Author(s):  
Shaochun Ma ◽  
Manoj Karkee ◽  
Patrick A. Scharf ◽  
Qin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Recovery Rate ◽  
Operating Cost ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Energy Crop ◽  
Recovery Rates ◽  
Energy Cane ◽  
Biomass Recovery ◽  
Sugarcane Harvester ◽  
Field Efficiency

Abstract. Energy crops are important sources of feedstock for biofuel production. Feedstock cost, which accounts for more than 50% of biofuel operating cost, plays a significant role in the commercialization of biofuels. Energy crop harvesting cost is the biggest single contributor of the total feedstock production cost. Thus, investigation of harvesters to improve productivity and efficiency, and hence reduce costs, is important for biofuel production. The performance of an existing sugarcane harvester was evaluated in terms of biomass recovery rate and field efficiency to assess its adaptability for energy crop harvesting. The harvester performance was evaluated in Hawaii fields with three different energy crops: energy cane, banagrass, and sugarcane. The biomass recovery rates achieved by the harvester were 83.0%, 86.6%, and 52.3%, respectively, for energy cane, banagrass, and sugarcane, whereas the field efficiencies were 86.2%, 80.6%, and 59.6%, respectively. In another similar experiment with banagrass, the harvesting rate and field efficiency were 89.8% and 88.7%, respectively. The recovery rates in harvesting energy cane and banagrass achieved in this work were higher than the recovery rate of ~73% found in the literature. Similarly, the nominal field efficiency found in the literature for a harvester is ~70%. The sugarcane harvester used in this work achieved higher field efficiency with energy cane and banagrass harvesting compared to the nominal field efficiency (70%). Additionally, the limitations of existing machines in harvesting energy crops were analyzed to identify the main factors limiting biomass recovery rate and field efficiency. It was found that stubble leaning angle and machine off-track errors have the greatest effect on the harvester’s ability to recover biomass, whereas plugging issues may have a substantial effect on the field efficiency. Keywords: Adaptability, Biomass recovery rate, Chopper harvester, Energy crop, Off-track error, Stubble leaning angle.

scholarly journals Biomass Properties for Mechanization of Conditioning Processes

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 145
Author(s):  
Ē. Kronbergs ◽  
M. Šmits
Keyword(s):  
Crop Production ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Ecosystem Approach ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Energy Crop ◽  
Emission Mitigation ◽  
Solid Biofuel ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Living Organisms ◽  
Oil Fuel

Substitution of fossil feedstock for energy and raw materials by biomass is important measure for GHG emission mitigation. Development of energy crop production and agricultural residue utilisation for energy are important goals of the rural policy. As chemical fertiliser production and usage corresponds to the consumption of oil fuel, biomass usage directly for energy production or as fertiliser are activities with equal importance. The main rural resources for biomass eco-technologies in Latvia are cereal straw residues, energy crops, emergent vegetation and peat from wetlands and sediments from lakes. Wide range of biomass properties cause necessity of appropriate mechanization equipment for biomass conditioning accordingly collection, conversion and usage technologies. The ecosystem approach means taking into account the interrelationships among land, air water and all living organisms including humans for mechanization equipment design of biomass technologies. Complex mechanisation of biomass technologies is based on implementation of ecosystem approach and investigation of properties of biomass in conditioning processes. For solid biofuel production densification properties of chopped stalk materials with different additives (peat, rapeseed cake) had been determined.

scholarly journals Influence of raw material properties on energy consumption during briquetting process

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 02006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tatiana Ivanova ◽  
Bohumil Havrland ◽  
Radek Novotny ◽  
Alexandru Muntean ◽  
Petr Hutla
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Cannabis Sativa ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Miscanthus Sinensis ◽  
Wood Biomass ◽  
Energy Potential ◽  
Solid Biofuel

Biomass is doubtless a very significant source of renewable energy being worldwide abundant with high energy potential. This paper deals with assessment energy consumption at especially grinding and briquetting processes, which should result in essential economy of energy at solid biofuel production. Various types of raw materials were used at the experiment such as hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) biomass, two species of Miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis, Miscanthus x gigantheus) and apple wood biomass. These materials were dried, grinded and pressed by piston press having pressing chamber diameter of 65 mm. Materials were grinded into three fractions (4 mm, 8 mm and 12 mm). Material throughput (kg.h-1) and energy consumption (kWh.t-1) were registered. As to results: the highest throughput at both grinding cases as well as briquetting was found at apple wood biomass; however the energy consumption during briquetting of apple wood was relatively high. The worst results concerning throughput and energy consumption (especially at briquetting) were found at hemp biomass. Nevertheless, briquettes made of hemp had the best mechanical durability. Both Miscunthus species (herbaceous biomass) have very similar parameters and showed quite good relation between throughput and energy consumption at the used machines.

scholarly journals A Substantiation of the Main Technical-Economic Characteristics of Energy Plantations and Production of Solid Fuel from Biomass of Energy Crops

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (514) ◽  
pp. 123-132
Author(s):  
D. M. Kostenko ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Economic Activity ◽  
Investment Project ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Production Volume ◽  
Net Income ◽  
Solid Biofuels ◽  
Solid Biofuel ◽  
Energy Plantations

The article is aimed at substantiating the basic technical-economic characteristics of energy plantations of miscanthus and production of solid fuels from the obtained biomass on the example of a particular project. As a result of the study: the analysis of the production volume of solid biofuels on the basis of quantities from a given area of plantation was carried out; net income of the complex was determined, which was calculated on the basis of accepted production volumes and «reasonable» wholesale prices, which were determined in a costly manner and provided for the provision of a sufficient level of profitability of economic activity; the current (operational) costs of economic activity of the complex were determined, calculated according to the standards established by analogues of industrial production of biomass from energy crops and its processing into solid biofuels. Also the economic feasibility of implementing an investment project on laying the plantation of miscanthus and production of solid biofuels from the resulting biomass was assessed. In general, in the presence of adequate State-based stimulation of solid biofuel production from miscanthus biomass, the economic efficiency of the project will be high, and the project itself is commercially feasible. Prospects for further research in this direction are substantiation of the main technical-economic characteristics together with feasibility of creating complexes for the transformation of solid biofuels into commodity energy – both electric and thermal.

scholarly journals Potential Use of Copper-Contaminated Soils for Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) Cultivation

Environments ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 111
Author(s):  
Giulia Quagliata ◽  
Silvia Celletti ◽  
Eleonora Coppa ◽  
Tanja Mimmo ◽  
Stefano Cesco ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contaminated Soils ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Cannabis Sativa ◽  
Sulfur Metabolism ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Energy Crop ◽  
Edaphic Conditions ◽  
Alternative Sources ◽  
Mitigate Climate Change ◽  
Copper Contaminated

To mitigate climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved by decreasing the use of fossil fuels and increasing that of alternative sources, such as energy crops. However, one of the most important problems in the use of biomass as a fuel is that of changing soil use and consumption, leading to competition with food crops. We addressed the topic by evaluating the possibility to exploit contaminated areas for energy crops cultivation. Indeed, soil contamination makes land inappropriate for cultivation, with damaging consequences for ecosystems, as well as posing serious health hazards to living beings. Specifically, this work aimed to evaluate the ability of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) plants to grow on a copper (Cu)-contaminated medium. In addition, the effectiveness of an environment-friendly treatment with sulfate in improving plant ability to cope with Cu-induced oxidative stress was also explored. Results showed that plants were able to grow at high Cu concentrations. Therefore, hemp could represent an interesting energy crop in Cu-contaminated soils. Although the response of Cu-treated plants was evidenced by the increase in thiol content, following modulation of sulfur metabolism, it remains to be clarified whether the use of exogenous sulfate could be an agronomic practice to improve crop performance under these edaphic conditions.

scholarly journals Solid Biofuel Production Perspectives in Ukraine

2019 ◽  
pp. 70-78
Author(s):  
М. V. Panchuk ◽  
І. М. Semianyk ◽  
I. O, Mandryk
Keyword(s):  
High Efficiency ◽  
Raw Materials ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
Biofuel Production ◽  
High Concentration ◽  
Potential Yield ◽  
Granulation Process ◽  
Solid Biofuel ◽  
Equivalent Fuel

The reserves of fossil fuel resources in Ukraine are limited, that is why the usage of solid biofuel from renewable raw materials is one of the most important factors of state energy policy directed at the preservation of traditional fuel and energy resources and improvement of the environment condition. The analysis of biological resources is made in this paper, and it is determined that Ukraine has a sufficient potential which is available for energy production and constitutes around 29 million tons of equivalent fuel. Energy crops are an important resource therewith. A potential yield of solid biofuel from perennial energy crops can constitute approximately 35.8 million tons per year. It is shown that raw biomass has a number of disadvantages: low energy density, unstable granulometry, wide spread of moisture content, and low bulk density which are the main problems for its storage and transportation. In order to increase consumer performance properties of biomass, the granulation process is suggested to be used. The implementation of granulation process will allow to eliminate the shortcomings of biological raw material and to transform it into a high-efficiency fuel.  One of the most important conditions of effective and profitable functioning of granulated biomass production is the availability and regular supply of raw materials. Therewith, for Ukraine's conditions it is worthwhile to use sets of high-power equipment for its operation both in the places with high concentration of raw materials and small mobile units which can work in stationary conditions and move to the places with sufficient amount of raw materials decreasing the costs of biomass transportation to minimum. At the same time, there is a need in developing new homeland elaborations, both complex process lines and individual equipment units for different capacities.   The paper determines the main directions of using granulation products among which are: combustion in pellet boilers, common combustion with coal, and gasification of granulated biomass for obtaining motor oils. It is mentioned that the application of granulation technologies solves not only the energy problems but also a set of other problems: ecological, agricultural, forestry and social ones.

Simultaneous implementation of sludge dewatering and solid biofuel production by microwave torrefaction

2021 ◽  
Vol 195 ◽  
pp. 110775
Author(s):  
Congyu Zhang ◽  
Shih-Hsin Ho ◽  
Wei-Hsin Chen ◽  
Chun Fong Eng ◽  
Chin-Tsan Wang
Keyword(s):  
Biofuel Production ◽  
Sludge Dewatering ◽  
Solid Biofuel ◽  
Simultaneous Implementation

scholarly journals Water Use Efficiency and Stress Tolerance of the Potential Energy Crop Miscanthus lutarioriparius Grown on the Loess Plateau of China

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 544
Author(s):  
Xuhong Zhao ◽  
Lifang Kang ◽  
Qian Wang ◽  
Cong Lin ◽  
Wei Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Energy ◽  
Water Use Efficiency ◽  
Water Use ◽  
Loess Plateau ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Energy Crops ◽  
Central China ◽  
Energy Crop ◽  
Miscanthus Lutarioriparius ◽  
Use Efficiency

As a potential energy crop with high biomass yield, Miscanthus lutarioriparius (M. lutarioriparius), endemic to the Long River Range in central China, needs to be investigated for its acclimation to stressful climatic and soil conditions often found on the marginal land. In this study, traits related to acclimation and yield, including survival rates, plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), tiller number (TN), water use efficiency (WUE), and photosynthetic rates (A), were examined for 41 M. lutarioriparius populations that transplanted to the arid and cold Loess Plateau of China. The results showed that the average survival rate of M. lutarioriparius populations was only 4.16% over the first winter but the overwinter rate increased to 35.03% after the second winter, suggesting that plants having survived the first winter could have acclaimed to the low temperature. The strikingly high survival rates over the second winter were found to be 95.83% and 80.85%, respectively, for HG18 and HG39 populations. These populations might be especially valuable for the selection of energy crops for such an area. Those individuals surviving for the two consecutive winters showed significantly higher WUE than those measured after the first winter. The high WUE and low stomatal conductance (gs) observed in survived individuals could have been responsible for their acclimation to this new and harsh environment. A total of 61 individuals with productive growth traits and strong resistance to cold and drought were identified for further energy crop development. This study showed that the variation of M. lutarioriparius held great potential for developing energy crops following continuous field selection.

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