Effect of Different Crop Species and Mixtures and Storage Methods on Ethanol Production

摘要

Different feedstocks -- corn, grain sorghum, wheat and barley were tested for ethanol production as pure species and in mixtures. Some compensatory responses were discovered such as foam reduction in barley feedstocks. Cull potatoes were also tested for ethanol production in their pure state and in combination with grain sorghum. Potato producers could derive additional income if cull potatoes could be profitably used in the production of ethanol. A potato and grain mixture may alleviate the necessity of adding additional grinding equipment to process fleshy high moisture material. It is noteworthy to point out that the hammer mill employed at NMSU Agricultural Science Center at Clovis has no problems in processing potatoes in their pure form. Ensiling storage for high moisture corn and sweet sorghum was tested to determine the effect on ethanol production. High moisture corn proved to be an acceptable feedstock for ethanol production. Because of significant deterioration of the ensiled sweet sorghum samples, further investigation into appropriate techniques to simulate silage on a small-scale is needed.