AGRO 215 |
| The US DOE-USDA biomass initiative vision is counting on lignocellulosic conversion to boost the quantities of biofuels produced from starches in order to achieve the much needed energy security. However, with the current challenges in the lignocellulosic conversion to ethanol via the sugar technologies, other methods including thermochemical conversion of biomass to useable energy carrier forms may provide nearer term solution and are receiving attention nationally. One such technique is fast pyrolysis, rapid thermal decomposition of organic compounds in the absence of oxygen to produce liquids, char and gas, is being considered by ARS researchers for energy crops conversion. Pyrolysis of energy crops including alfalfa stems, cool and warm-seasoned perennial grasses such as reed canary grass, eastern gamma grass, Bermuda grass and switchgrass being developed at ARS has been studied. Effect of maturity at harvest and, in some cases, genotype have been characterized and will be presented. Fluidized-bed process production of biooil from Cove-in-Rock switchgrass cultivar including material and energy balances will be discussed. The potential for the use of the pyrolysis oil as a diesel grade fuel for stationary power applications and its upgrading into transportation fuels will also be discussed. |
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Agricultural Biomass, Biobased Products, and Biofuels
1:05 PM-4:30 PM, Thursday, March 29, 2007 McCormick Place South -- Room S103D, Level 1, Oral
Division of Agrochemicals |