RECLAIMED WATER USE AND BIOMASS PRODUCTION ON JEA’S BIOMASS ENERGY RESEARCH FARM-SECOND YEAR RESULTS

摘要

) were planted on approximately one acre of the site that had previously been planted in YP. After two growing seasons for the tree species and one growing season for the grass species, GR has the highest average above-ground biomass yield (2.2 dry tons per acre or 4.9 metric tons per hectare) of any species. Eastern cottonwood had the highest growth rate of any tree species, outpacing both hybrid poplar clones, which had the highest estimated growth rates in the first growing season. The highest yielding plot of EC achieved an estimated annualized production rate of approximately 3 DT/ac/yr (6.7 Mt/ha/yr). Based on this preliminary data, GR and EC appear to be early front-runners as the most desirable biomass crop for the North Florida area. Giant Reed yields are expected to increase in 2003 as stand density increases. Destructive sampling and measurement of tree biomass will begin in 2003 so more accurate data will be available to compare yield differences of all species.Overall, JEA is pleased with the initial growth rates and performance observed on the BERF and is excited about the potential of this technology to provide added reuse capacity for its WRFs and biomass to meet “green power” goals. Based on results from the first two years of operation, EC appears to be the preferred woody specie for the North Florida area, while Giant Reed appears to be a promising grass biomass specie.