Growing and utilising miscanthus as a biomass fuel in Northern Ireland

摘要

Miscanthus has yet to be developed into a commercial crop in Northern Ireland (NI). Research has therefore been carried out into the establishment of the crop, its yield and its properties as a biomass fuel for small to medium scale boilers. In a replicated experiment at two sites it was found that yield increases attributed to the use of plastic mulch at planting, high planting density and dividing the rhizome into smaller pieces evident in the first three seasons after planting were no longer present or had started to decline by the fourth season. Autumn yields reached 18-20 tDM ha'1 in the fourth year but spring yields of 11 -12 tDM ha~(-1) indicated over-winter losses of over 35%. Miscanthus gave a similar heat output per kgDM to other biomass fuels, but a lower heat output rate, higher ash and higher NOx and CO emissions than wood pellets or Spruce chips.