Source: Arvens Technology Inc. submitted to NRP
PENNYCRESS:"A WONDER WEED TO WONDER FUEL:DEVELOPING COMMERCIAL FARMING PRACTICES FOR PENNYCRESS"
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
SMALL BUSINESS GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0221901
Grant No.
2010-33610-21225
Cumulative Award Amt.
$90,000.00
Proposal No.
2010-00461
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Aug 15, 2010
Project End Date
Jun 15, 2012
Grant Year
2010
Program Code
[8.8]- Biofuels and Biobased Products
Recipient Organization
Arvens Technology Inc.
801 West Main Street
Peoria,IL 61604
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
Pennycress is a non-food member of the mustard family that is grown as a winter annual producing seeds containing 36% oil or twice that of soybeans. This oil can be extracted and converted to high quality biodiesel fuel while the remaining de-oiled presscake biomass can be converted to other energy products. Planted in the fall after corn harvest, Pennycress is then harvested in the spring before planting soybeans. Farmers growing this crop can earn extra income on land that would otherwise be left bare during the winter while still growing corn and soybeans in a tradition rotation. One ton of seeds grown on one acre can produce 190 gallons of liquid fuel. To establish Pennycress as a viable energy crop, practical knowledge and optimized farming practices must be established through well-designed experiments that validate the findings. This project will establish the best farming practices to allow growers to maximize yields thus enhancing economic returns in the production of a dedicated energy crop. Field experiments will be conducted to establish optimized planting, harvesting and storage practices. This information will then be provided to regional farmers seeking to grow Pennycress benefiting the environment, rural economy and consumers.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
20218991060100%
Knowledge Area
202 - Plant Genetic Resources;

Subject Of Investigation
1899 - Oilseed and oil crops, general/other;

Field Of Science
1060 - Biology (whole systems);
Goals / Objectives
The goals of this project include developing standard commercial practices for the planting, harvest and storage of Pennycress seed. Pennycress (Thlaspi arvense) is a non-food member of the mustard family that is grown as a winter annual producing seeds containing 36% oil. This oil can be extracted and converted to high quality biodiesel while the remaining de-oiled presscake biomass can be converted to other energy products. Significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and net energy gains can be realized through use of this new energy crop. One ton of seeds grown on one acre can produce 190 gallons of liquid fuel. Planted in the fall, Pennycress is then harvested in the spring allowing double cropping with soybeans. Farmers growing this crop can earn extra income on land that would otherwise be left bare during the winter and still grow corn and soybeans in a tradition rotation. The best farming practices developed by this project will be used by growers to maximize yields thus enhancing economic returns in the production of a dedicated energy crop benefiting the environment, rural economy and consumer.
Project Methods
To establish Pennycress Thlaspi arvense) as a viable energy crop, practical knowledge and optimized farming practices must be established through well-designed experiments that validate the findings. To determine optimized planting methods for maximum germination and seed production in shortest time, different factors will be evaluated in statistically replicated field trials. These factors include: (1) Types of planters (drill, grass seeder, air seeder or aerial applications), (2) Seeding rate (pounds per acre) to establish optimized plant stands and yields and (3) Pretreatment of seeds to enhance germination and synchrony. Efforts to develop a growth stage monitoring system include field work and observations to (1) Determine latest planting date for fall germination, (2) Monitor fall germination, plant establishment, winter growth and dormancy, (3) Monitor spring growth, flowering, seed setting and maturity and (4) Determine when oil is fully formed in the seed. Field experiments with statistical comparisons to optimize harvest methods for maximum yields will include (1) Types of combines (cylinder or rotary), (2) Types of combine heads (grain or draper) and (3) Combine process settings and speeds. Work to optimize cleaning and drying procedures for oil extraction and seed stock will focus on developing seed cleaning processes as well as developing seed drying protocols for both crushing and planting seeds. The validated methods for optimized production of Pennycress will be made available to regional farmers seeking to grow this new energy crop.

Progress 08/15/10 to 08/31/11

Outputs
OUTPUTS: Results of the research conducted under this project were disseminated at grower meetings, research conferences and technical/trade events. In addition, the latest research on production methods for Pennycress was presented in newspaper articles, trade publications, radio and TV interviews. Eight grower sessions were presented though-out Illinois during the spring of 2011. An information booth and materials were presented at the University of Illinois 2011 Agronomy Field Day and at the Illinois Commodity Conference. Science based presentations were made at the International Biomass Conference and Expo, annual meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Midwest Regional Meeting. PARTICIPANTS: Employees of Arvens Technology Inc. worked on this project with the collaboration of Dr. Terry Isbell of USDA-ARS National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Peoria IL. Dr. Win Phippen of Western Illinois University, Macomb IL with both undergraduate and graduate students, also participated on the project. Numerous students had opportunities to participate in field-work, analysis and presentation of project results. All senior scientists also presented results at professional meetings. TARGET AUDIENCES: This project was undertaken to provide validated data on agronomic, handling and processing practices that would assess the commercial viability of growing Pennycress as winter crop to provide a biofuel feedstock. Two different audiences were the focus of the work and reporting. Farmers need validated data on which to base farming practices and scientists need data from which future work to develop this crop can be based. Both populations were served successfully by the project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: All project objectives were achieved and all experiments were conducted by the proposed protocols. No project modifications were required.

Impacts
The technical objectives of this Phase I, USDA SBIR project included field-work to develop standard and commercial practices for the planting, harvest and storage of Pennycress grown as a winter crop and biofuel feedstock. All proposed objectives were completed and the commercial viability of growing Pennycress as an energy crop was established. The research findings were developed into current "best practice" recommendations and communicated to Pennycress growers and the research community. The work has been used to begin the first commercial venture for Pennycress production and conversion to biofuels.The work also served as the basis of a USDA SBIR Phase II application and award.

Publications

  • Glenn, B. 2010. Pennycress, what we know and what we need to learn. Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Annual Meeting, Fort Collins, CO. September 19-22, 2010. Abstract. Isbell, T. and S. Chermak, 2010. Thlaspi arvense (Pennycress) germination, development and yield potential. Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Annual Meeting, Fort Collins, CO. September 19-22, 2010. Abstract.
  • Johnsen, P.B. 2010. Pennycress: a sustainable energy crop for biofuels production. American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Midwest Regional Meeting. October 1, 2010. Chicago IL. Abstract.
  • Phippen, W.B. and M.E. Phippen. 2010. Evaluation of field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) populations. Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Annual Meeting, Fort Collins, CO. September 19-22, 2010. Poster.
  • Phippen, W.B., J. Gallant, and M.E. Phippen. 2010a. Evaluation of planting method and seeding rates with field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.) Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Annual Meeting, Fort Collins, CO. September 19-22, 2010. Poster.
  • Phippen, W.B., B. John, and M.E. Phippen. 2010b. Planting date, herbicide, and soybean rotation studies with field pennycress (Thlaspi arvense L.). Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops Annual Meeting, Fort Collins, CO. September 19-22. Poster.