Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences have included agricultural producers interested in diversifying their production base, entrepreneurs interested in developing bioenergy- related businesses, scientists interested in biofuels research and development, and community leaders. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?
Nothing Reported
How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Resutls from this work have been presented at the annual meeting of the Sweet Sorghum Ethanol Association, which is a group representing a cross-section of producers, entrepreneurs, and renewable energy developers. It has also been presented at the annual meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, which is a group representing scientists, engineers, and businesses involved in agricultural processing and products. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Research efforts have focused on developing a method for processing sweet sorghum for biofuel in regions of the country with temperate climates and potentially small acreages compared to sugar cane plantations in Brazil. Early efforts looked at using an in-field harvester with mobile press rolls that would leave the bagasse on the field. Research results have led to the conclusion that the sugar extraction efficiencies in that modelare not going to generate an economically viable business model. Research is now focused on processing the whole sweet sorghum stalks for conversion to sugar and trying to develop a process which can be used with other feedstocks as well.The goal is to develop a dual feedstock process that can be utilized more months of the year by rotating feedstocks. Progress has been made in the utilization of a counter current diffusion process for sugar extraction that could be used in a complementary rotation with sugar beets.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Pessani, N., D. Bellmer, V. Pamu, H. Atiyeh, G. Kakani. Diffusion of sugar from sweet sorghum for use in a dual feedstock process, Poster presentation at Annual ASABE meeting, Kansas City, MO, July 22, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
D. Bellmer. Processing sweet sorghum for a dual feedstock bioenergy system. Presentation at Sorghum Improvement Conference of North America, Lubbock, TX, August 29, 2013.
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: The potential use of sweet sorghum as a bioenergy crop is gaining interest in locations around the world. During the past year, dissemination of information has taken place largely through one-on-one phone calls from individuals and businesses interested in learning more about the production and processing of sweet sorghum. An invited presentation was made at the annual meeting of the Sweet Sorghum Ethanol Association on 'The untapped potential of sweet sorghum as a bioenergy feedstock.' A presentation was also made at the annual meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers in Dallas Texas involving potential new designs for roller presses for juice exctraction from sweet sorghum. PARTICIPANTS: Project participants include co-investigators in Plant and Soil Science, Chemical Engineering, and Biosytems Engineering, along with the National Sorghum Producers and the Sorghum Checkoff Program, who is helping to support this work. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include agricultural producers, scientists, community leaders, investors, and project planners interested in the development of a renewable energy industry in the southern great plains. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Research activities during this project period have been focused on alternative sugar extraction processes for sweet sorghum. The goal is to develop a process that can be used for multiple feedstocks, so that in a region where the sweet sorghum harvest window is limited, other complementary feestocks could be processed in the same facility. Typical sugar extraction processes involve large roller presses, but the roller press is difficult to apply to other feedstocks. Diffusion processes are being investigated for their efficiency in sugar extraction from sweet sorghum. Specifically, the effects of temperature, pH, particle size, and solid to liquid ratio on sugar extraction efficiency are being evaluated. This type of process would apply well in a dual feedstock facility utilizaing a complementary feedstock such as sugar beets.
Publications
- Godsey, C.B., J. Linneman, D. Bellmer, and R. Huhnke. 2012. Developing row spacing and planting density recommendations for rainfed sweet sorghum production in the Southern Plains. Agronomy Journal 104:280-286.
- V. Schielack, M. Buser, D. Bellmer, R. Huhnke. Sweet sorghum press concept - preliminary evaluation. Presentation at ASABE Annual Meeting, Dallas, TX, July 2012.
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Progress 10/01/10 to 09/30/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Interest in sweet sorghum as a bioenergy crop is growing around the world. Results from research in this area have been disseminated in numerous forms. A presentation highlighting fermentation of sweet sorghum juice was made at the annual meeting of the Sweet Sorghum Ethanol Association in January 2011. A presentation was also made at the Great Plains Sorghum Conference in fall 2011 to highlight the benefits of sweet sorghum as a bioenergy crop. Results of a study involving the effects of early deheading on sweet sorghum sugar content were presented in a poster presentation at the annual meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers in August 2011. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include agricultural producers, scientists, community leaders, investors/entrepreneurs interested in the development of renewable resources, and the general public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Project resources were used to conduct a study involving deheading of sweet sorghum stalks. Many sweet sorghum syrup producers have suggested that deheading of stalks within weeks prior to harvest will generate significantly higher levels of sugar in the stalk juice. Results from the study showed that in general, deheading stalks two weeks prior to harvest resulted in a 1-2% increase in sugar yields in the pressed juice. This was true for two different planting dates and two different varieties. However, harvesting stalks 4-5 weeks after deheading did not result in increased sugar yields. These results can be used by producers to make informed decisions about deheading of stalks prior to harvest.
Publications
- Cosgrove, C.T., R.L. Huhnke and D.D. Bellmer. 2011. Design modification and testing of a laboratory-scale sweet sorghum stalk press. Applied Engineering in Agriculture, in press.
- Bellmer, D.D., D Maski and R.L. Huhnke. 2011. Effect of Early Deheading on Sweet Sorghum Juice Quality. ASABE 1111270. Presented at the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, MI.
- Linneman, J., C. Godsey, D. Bellmer, R. Huhnke, and V.J. Kakani. 2010. Developing row spacing and planting density recommendations for sweet sorghum production in the southern Plains. In 2010 Annual Meeting Abstracts. ASA, Madison, WI.
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Progress 10/01/09 to 09/30/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Project results have been disseminated in various forms. The second annual Biofuels Field Day was hosted in October 2009 in Chickasha, Oklahoma to highlight various biofuels research and development projects being conducted at Oklahoma State University. Use of sweet sorghum as a biofuels feedstock was a focal point of the field day. This work was also highlighted at a meeting of the National Association of County Agricultural Agents in Stillwater, OK in July 2010. An invited presentation was also made at the University of Missouri in September 2010, involving the microbial changes during fermentation of sweet sorghum juice. The work was also presented in poster form at the annual meeting of the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. PARTICIPANTS: In addition to the co-investigators on the project, other participants included Peter Muriana, Professor of Animal Science, and Mike Buser, Assistant Professor of Biosystems Engineering, both at OSU. Lee McClune from Sor-Cane harvester also participated. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences include agricultural producers interested in developing alternative biomass crops, entrepreneurs, community leaders, scientists, and the general public. Anyone interested in the development of alternative fuel sources is an appropriate audience. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
One main objective of this project is to investigate factors that influence fermentation efficiency of sweet sorghum juice. Project resources were used to evaluate changes in microbial populations in the juice during processing. The effects of different planting and harvesting times, varieties, and locations on microbial populations in the juice were determined. Results indicate that microbial loads in the juice are most affected by harvest conditions and practices, and are likely due to contamination from soil. In addition, microbial levels in the juice were unaffected by yeast inoculation time or level during fermentation. These results will impact processing decisions, especially as they relate to the stability of the freshly pressed juice.
Publications
- Kundiyana, D., D. Bellmer, R. Huhnke, M. Wilkins, P.L. Claypool. 2010. Influence of temperature, pH And yeast on in-field production of ethanol from unsterilized sweet sorghum juice. Biomass and Bioenergy 34(10): 1481-1486.
- Bellmer, D., R. Huhnke, R. Whiteley, C. Godsey. 2010. The untapped potential of sweet sorghum as a bioenergy feedstock. Biofuels 1(4): 563-573.
- Vijayakumar, P., D. Bellmer, R. Huhnke, P. Muriana. 2010. Microbial Populations in Sweet Sorghum Juice During Fermentation. ASABE Annual Meeting, June 20-24, Pittsburgh, PA.
- Vijayakumar, P. 2010. Microbial Populations in Sweet Sorghum Juice during Fermentation. Master's Thesis, Oklahoma State University.
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Progress 10/01/08 to 09/30/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results from this project have been disseminated in a number of different venues. In October of 2008 we hosted a Biofuels Field Day in Chickasha, Oklahoma to showcase various biofuels research projects to the public, including the sweet sorghum ethanol project. The work was also highlighted at the Governor's Conference on Biofuels in November of 2008 during a presentation on 'In-Field Production of Ethanol from Sweet Sorghum'. Sweet sorghum ethanol research was also presented at the Sorghum Improvement Conference of North America in Grapevine, Texas in February of 2009. The target audiences in these various venues are very diverse, and include community leaders, state legislators, local agricultural producers, scientists, entrepreneurs, and the general public. PARTICIPANTS: In addition to the participating investigators, other collaborators included the folks from Sor-Cane Harvester, who are developing an in-field press. TARGET AUDIENCES: Target audiences have been diverse, and have included state legislators, community leaders, agricultural producers, the scientific community, and the general public. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The overall objective of this project is to evaluate the feasibility of producing alternative energy from sweet sorghum. Project resources were used to evaluate sweet sorghum research plots at numerous locations around the state including the Stillwater, Chickasha, Lahoma, Haskell, and Lane research stations. Staggered planting dates were tested again at several different locations to evaluate the potential length of harvest window in Oklahoma. Row spacing and plant populations studies were also initiated, to determine ideal planting conditions. Fertilization studies were also conducted to determine the effect of nitrogen application on sweet sorghum yield. An evaluation of the microbial load in sweet sorghum juice was also initiated. This information will identify the microbial populations present during the life cycle of the juice and will help in evaluating alternative strategies for stabilization of the juice after pressing. Delayed inoculation studies were also continued in conjunction with the microbial studies. Sweet sorghum bagasse was gasified in a downdraft gasifier to determine its potential value as an energy feedstock, in an effort to identify the best processing alternative for the bagasse waste.
Publications
- Cosgrove, C., R. Huhnke, and D. Bellmer. 2009. Design of an Improved Laboratory-Scale Sweet Sorghum Press. ASABE 095929. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI.
- Patil, K., R. Huhnke, and D. Bellmer. 2009. Downdraft Gasification of Forage and Sweet Sorghums for Syngas Generation. American Society of Agricultural Engineers, St. Joseph, MI.
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Progress 10/01/07 to 09/30/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Sweet sorghum research plots were evaluated at six different locations around the state of Oklahoma, including Stillwater, Lane, Altus, Goodwell, Haskell, Ardmore. Some plots were irrigated, some were dryland. Staggered planting dates were used at several different locations to test the potential length of the harvest window. A small scale press was used to express juice in each location. The press was modified to include the use of controlled pressure on the rollers and to incorporate corrugated rolls for improved stalk feeding. The effects of pressure and roller configuration on juice expression efficiency were evaluated. The pressed sorghum juice was fermented under various conditions to evaluate fermentation efficiency. Delayed inoculation studies were conducted to evaluate the stability of the juice for an extended time after pressing. Sweet sorghum bagasse was collected for enzymatic hydrolysis studies. Samples of bagasse from 5 different varieties at two different harvest times were subjected to dilute acid pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis in order to compare their ease of hydrolysis. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Numerous presentations regarding a smaller decentralized approach to ethanol production using sweet sorghum have been made. The target audiences span the entire gammet, including individuals with international prominence from IFAD and ICRISAT, national leaders at USDA and other federal agencies, state legislators and political leaders, the scientific community, entrepreneurs interested in developing alternative energy businesses, and local agricultural producers. We have targeted as many audiences as possible. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
The existence of this research project has generated much interest in sweet sorghum around the country and the world. Findings have been reported and presented at numerous meetings and events which have been local, regional, national, and even international in scope. Some examples of presentation venues over the past year included a global consultation on sweet sorghum organized by IFAD in Rome, Italy, an international meeting on the use of sorghum for biofuels organized by USDA, a newly formed association called the sweet sorghum ethanol association, a statewide bioenergy conference, and regional extension meetings for interested parties in the local areas. In each case, the impact has been a new understanding and excitement for sweet sorghum as a biofuel. Results presented show the feasibility of using a low-technology process which may be able to be conducted on a farm scale or a cooperative scale. The potential economic benefit to rural America in this scenario is tremendous.
Publications
- Bellmer, D., R. Huhnke, and D. Kundiyana. 2008. Issues with in-field fermentation of sweet sorghum juice. ASABE 084828. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, MI.
- Pradipta, V., D. Bellmer, and M. Wilkins. 2008. Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Sweet Sorghum Bagasse. ASABE 084827. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, St. Joseph, MI.
- D. Bellmer, R. Huhnke, C. Godsey. 2008. 'Sweet Sorghum Trials Across Oklahoma', in Oklahoma Panhandle Research and Extension Highlights.
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