Production of Sugarcane and Tropical Grasses as a Renewable Energy Source. Final Report, June 1, 1977-May 31, 1982

摘要

A 5-year study on the production of sugarcane and related tropical grasses as energy crops was completed with all objectives attained. Begun in 1977 with screening of candidate grasses at the greenhouse level, the project progressed to field-plots and then to mechanized field-scale production technologies emphasizing maximum total dry matter yield at minimum cost on a continuous, year-round basis. Culminating in an energy cane concept for optimal fuels and feedstocks production, the 5-year study underscored two points: (a) Revised management technologies that emphasize growth rather than sugar storage, and (b), multiple species integration for year-round supply of fuels and feestocks to biomass-utilizing industry. Through revised management, sugarcane yields in the order of 83 short tons/acre year were attained for whole green cane (as opposed to 27 short tons/acre year for conventional sugarcane in PR). Sugarcane managed in this way is now depicted as energy cane, or first-generation energy cane. Second-generation energy cane, consisting of revised field management technologies plus varieties specifically selected for biomass produced over 110 short tons/acre year. Production costs were slightly higher than $1000/acre year but less than $10.00 green ton. Recoverably energy yields were in excess of 450,000,000 BTUs/acre year at costs under $2.00/million BTUs. Combined values for fuels (pegged to fuel oil at $33.00/barrel) and high-test molasses (at $0.76/gallon) exceed $3000/acre year for second-generation energy cane. (ERA citation 08:014309)