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Team Gemstone BioF.U.E.L.S. Furthering the Utilization of Energy from Land and Soil. Presentation Roadmap. Introduction Research Questions Literature Review Methodology Timeline Questions and Comments. Introduction The Current Situation.
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Team Gemstone BioF.U.E.L.S.Furthering the Utilization of Energy from Land and Soil
Presentation Roadmap • Introduction • Research Questions • Literature Review • Methodology • Timeline • Questions and Comments
IntroductionThe Current Situation • Rising gas and energy costs, need for alternative energy sources such as biofuels • 85 Ethanol derived from corn only a short-term solution • Energy Independence and Security Act (2007): • Biofuels must account for 36 billion gallons of gasoline by 2022 • 21 billion gallons must be from non-cornstarch products, namely cellulosic biofuels • Rapidly progressing conversion technologies remain expensive compared to petroleum
Introduction Purpose of Study • To examine Miscanthus x giganteus's potential as a future energy crop • To determine how well Miscanthus x giganteus can grow on marginal land, and how its growth on marginal land can be supplemented • To estimate the potential effect that the use of Miscanthus x giganteus as an alternative biofuel source will have on the economic sector
Research Questions • How do the biomass yields of Miscanthus x giganteus compare, with and without the presence of a water-absorbing polymer (potassium-based cross-linked polyacrylamide) in the soil, when grown on agriculturally viable land and agriculturally marginal land? • Does the water-absorbing polymer improve establishment and survival (in the first year) of Miscanthus x giganteus on both agriculturally viable land and marginal land? • How does the resulting energy content of Miscanthus x giganteus per unit mass and per unit area compare with the energy content of corn? • What are the cost-benefit characteristics of Miscanthus x giganteus production on the different land types and with and without the presence of the polymer in the soil?
Literature ReviewWhy Miscanthus x giganteus? • Perennial grass • Grows to be 12 feet tall • Reaches maturity in 2-4 years • Sterile - non-invasive • Requires little maintenance • Currently used in Europe as bioenergy crop • Little is known about the performance of theplant in US conditions and on non-agricultural land
Literature Review Energetic Analysis Calorimetry • Pros: Inexpensive, simple to prepare samples, quick and easily interpretable results • Cons: Is not a direct conversion into biofuel – the actual fuel-synthesis process causes significant energy loss Pyrolysis • No easy access to equipment, not the way that the plant would be processed in “real world” Enzymatic breakdown • No current enzyme to break down M. x giganteus specifically, relatively costly, difficult to prepare plant samples. • (I think we need a note about Zymetis in here, since we’re still planning on contacting them…)
Literature Review Economic Implications • Cellulosic ethanol compared to gasoline and corn ethanol • Cellulosic ethanol has a significantly lower cost to society
Literature ReviewEconomic Implications • Competitiveness of M. x giganteus among cellulosic ethanol-producing plants • M. x giganteus biomass yield is triple that of switchgrass and diverse prairie biomass • Breakeven cost of M. x giganteus production (in Illinois) is less than two-thirds that of switchgrass • Over time, total cost of M. x giganteus production will decrease due to an increase in overall yield, while cost of switchgrass production will remain constant
Methodology Planting Procedure Two different Maryland plots • Woodstock plot • Fertile soil • Former farm land • Brandywine plot • Clay and sandy soil, agriculturally marginal land • Abandoned sand and gravel mine
SIDE BY SIDE PICTURES • NOW WITH MORE SIDE-BY-SIDE ACTION
Methodology Field Component • Plot maintenance • During the first year, the Woodstock plot was overgrown by weeds in August, and was weeded by hand. • Plots are watered by hand at Woodstock, and by an automatic sprinkler system at Brandywine. • Harvest, Drying, and Weighing • Plants are harvested annually in the winter, following the season’s first hard freeze, and dried and stored at the University of Maryland in a climate controlled environment until use.
Methodology Processing and Analysis • Dried biomass will be ground for calometric analysis • Grinding machinery will be provided by Dr. Felton • Composited samples will be used in testing • Calometric analysis to determine energy content of biomass grown in the four conditions • Comparison of M. x giganteus energy content with that of corn • Procedures and equipment for calorimetric analysis will be supplied by the Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.
Methodology Cost-benefit estimate • Cost-benefit estimate of M. x giganteus production under different growing conditions • On different soil types and with or without polymer • Use available data on corn production in comparison of cost and benefit with M. x giganteus • Better understand the efficiency and market impact of adopting M. x giganteus as alternative fuel source
Timeline Completed Objectives • Summer 2009: • Planted M. x giganteus in two separate plots. • Fall 2009: • Continue literature review. • Winter 2009/10: • Harvested from both sites and began analysis of data. • Spring 2010: • Research and develop economic model for analysis. • Continue literature review. • Identify experts for research and guidance. • Develop a grant proposal for funding research. • Have web page online. • Analysis conducted on harvest. • Complete sample drying, weighing, and grinding of samples. • Determine how to sample soil, document, and complete soil sampling. • Finalize team thesis proposal.
Timeline Future Directions • Summer 2010: • Begin calorimetric analysis in Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. • Fall 2010: • Submit funding proposals. • Make outline for thesis. • Prepare for Fall Colloquia. • Winter: 2010/11: • Begin second harvest and analysis of data. • Spring 2011: • Data analysis of second harvest. • Economic analysis of compiled data. • Complete draft of beginning chapters of proposals.
Timeline Future Directions • Summer 2011 • Calorimetric analysis of second harvest will begin atBeltsville Agricultural Research Center. • Fall 2011: • Finalize thesis for submission. • Spring 2012: • Team Thesis Conference