Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Scientists, engineers, undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral associates, farmers interested in growing biofuel crops, bioindustry personnel, policy makers and the general public. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Most projects, at the principal investigator level, would have opportunities such as laboratory and field safety training and how to conduct science-based research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Presentations at technical conferences and through publishing of journal articles. Sun Grant Program-South Central Region Website. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?At the Center level, ensure good progress on projects continues through receipt and review of quarterly reports and final reports from principal investigators.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
"Value-Added Utilization of Biochar in Syngas Cleanup and Conditioning" (Donghai Wang, Kansas State University): Biomass type, air flow rate and gasifier design had significant effects on biochar. Wood chips has significantly lower biochar yield, but surface area of char was much higher than rice hulls at the same operating conditions. Higher air flow rates led to lower biochar yields but larger surface areas. Insulation increased pyrolysis temperatures, resulting in larger biochar surface areas. Ni/char catalyst was superior to commercial tar cracking catalysts such as Ni/γ-Al2O3. More than 99% of tars were effectively removed using the Ni/char catalysts. Syngas H2 and CO concentrations also significantly increased. "Torrefaction and Densification of Switchgrass to Improve Syngas Quality and Transportation Logistics" (Ajay Kumar, Oklahoma State University): Effects of four pretreatments (torrefaction at 230 and 270°C, densification, and combined torrefaction and densification) were investigated. Switchgrass torrefied at 270°C had the highest carbon and lowest hydrogen and oxygen contents. Combined torrefaction and densification of switchgrass resulted in the least volatile and highest ash and fixed carbon contents. Among all pretreatments, torrefied and densified switchgrass resulted in the highest H2 and CO yields, highest syngas heating value and efficiency at the gasifier bed temperature of 900°C. Anhydrous sugars and phenols in bio-oil increased with torrefaction. High pyrolysis temperatures enhanced decomposition of lignin and anhydrous sugars, leading to increase in phenols, aromatics and furans. "Development of Safflower as a New Biomass Energy Crop for the Lower Great Plains of North America" (Dick Auld, Texas Tech University): The genetic enhancement of safflower concentrated on development of F3:4 populations with increased oil content and higher levels of monounsaturated fatty acids. Selection within the winter hardy PI accessions of safflower identified in this project provided sufficient genetic variation for either high oil content (excess of 40%) or increase oleic acid (excess of 80%). Fifteen additional crosses were made between three best PI accessions with superior agronomic performance and five commercial cultivars were made in the greenhouse in the early spring of 2014. F1:2 generation was increased in the 2014 growing season and F2:3 generation was increased at Lubbock, TX in the 2015 growing season along with 15 individual plant selections for unique plant growth characteristics. Extensive public exposure and web site presence made the project on safflower as a potential bio-renewable fuel well known across the regions agricultural industry. "Sustainable Feedstock Production for Bioenergy" (Clyde Munster, Texas A & M University): Biochar produced from sorghum was field applied to Boonville sandy loam soil at rates of 0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 Mg ha-1. Biochar have no significant effect on physical parameters, biomass, runoff, or sediment loss. Biochar produced significant increases on certain soil chemical parameters tested six months after application (pH, conductivity, and K) but the effects were not present 22 months after biochar application, except for K. Surface applied biochar aided bermudagrass emergence, decrease days till maximum emergence and increase seedling emergence. Application rates of biochar (8 and 12 Mg ha-1) to Burleson clay produced optimum yields of biomass in the greenhouse. There was no significant change in nutrient export in bermudagrass tissue related to biochar application. "Miscanthus and Switchgrass Bioenergy Production and Soil Remediation on Marginal and Vulnerable Landscapes" (Newell Kitchen, USDA-ARS, Columbus, MO): In eight sites from over two growing seasons (2013-2014), miscanthus yield was benefitted by N fertilization at one site, with an increase of 3.3 tons/acre over unfertilized plots. The ALMANAC crop model on switchgrass growth consistently underestimated yield when compared to measured yield from plot studies even with soil inputs modified for measured soil texture and bulk density. Model results did not improve with increased depth to claypan as an input, but this was observed with measured results for drier than average years of precipitation. Ethanol production of switchgrass increased with greater DTC for years. Ethanol yield increased with N fertilization for most years with drier than average years of precipitation. Switchgrass compared to corn resulted in greater water use efficiency, and nearly 50% greater crop N recovery efficiency, and generated about 50% less runoff. "Enhanced Biofuels Production with Genetically Optimized Feedstocks by Multistage Pyrolysis" (Laura Bartley, University of Oklahoma): Sorghum biomass pyrolysis products vary somewhat with genotype, but torrefaction products are much more sample-dependent. A number of correlations between switchgrass biomass composition and thermal products that fit biomass components in formation of liquid pyrolysis products were found: 1) as direct sources, 2) as catalysts, and 3) as indirect factors whereby chemical interactions among components or cell wall structural features impact thermal products. Biomass-product relationships were also explored by developing predictive linear models torrefaction alkylphenols for a) biomass p-coumaric acid and potassium and b) lignin S:G ratio. This will enable identification of biomass and biomass-processing methods suited for biofuel production and can guide genetic engineering of bioenergy crops to improve biomass features. "Decreasing severity of switchgrass pretreatment through biological pretreatment" (Mark Wilkins, Oklahoma State University): This project used a natural lignin deconstruction process by growing Pleurotus ostreatus, also known as the oyster mushroom on switchgrass. P. ostreatus selectively degrades lignin in plants prior to attacking cellulose. Treatments were applied to both square bales and round bales. The bales were then stored outdoors for 9 months and samples were taken at 3, 5, 7, and 9 months. Limited fungal growth was observed in square bales while no fungal growth was observed in round bales. The lack of growth was attributed to a lack of moisture in the bales due to low rainfall. Lignin and sugar composition were preserved throughout storage in both bales due to low moisture penetration into the bales. Square bale was the better package for growing P. ostreatus; however, the moisture content of the bale is critical in initiating and sustaining fungal growth and lignin degradation. "Building the Basis for the Improvement of Microalgae Oil Production Systems Efficiency Through the Quantification and Model Integration of Fundamental Biological and Physiological Processes" (Carlos Fernandez, Texas A & M University): The light attenuation coefficient obtained for Nannochloropsis salina growing in the bioreactors ranged from 0.0098 and 0.5385 cm-1, depending on the culture biomass density, with lowest value corresponding to only saline water and higher value to a culture with a biomass density of 783 g m-3. Cell population growth of N. salina as affected by the combination of four temperature levels ranging from 15 to 27 oC and five levels of incident irradiance (on lit bioreactor side) from 893 to 133µE m-2 s-1 showed a significant interaction between these two environmental factors. A maximum cell population was obtained at average incident PPFD of 512µE m-2 s-1 in combination with a culture temperature of 15oC. A numerical mechanistic model was developed to simulate experimental growth data collected with the bioreactors. The model suggests that lipid production could be optimized to as much as 3.2724 or 50.42 g m-3 d-1.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Nystrom, E., Munster, C., Schnell, R., Provin, T., & McInnes, K. (2015, July). Biochar Effects on Bermudagrass Growth and Nutrient Dynamics. Poster presented at the ASABE International Meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States.
- Type:
Books
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
He, Z., and H. Zhang. 2014. Applied Manure and Nutrient Chemistry for Sustainable Agriculture and Environment. 473 pages, Springer Publishing, New York.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Auld, D.L. and T.D. Miller. 2014. The Missing Link in the Evolution of a new Industrial Crop. Miller, T.D. and Berti, M.T. Eds. (2014), 26th Annual AAIC Meeting. Industrial Crops: Developing Sustainable Solutions: Program and Abstracts. Sep.15-18, 2014. Athens, Greece.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Auld, D.L., C.L. Trostle, S.V. Angadi, D.P. Malinowski, G. Ritchie, S.J. Mass, N. Rajan, T.D. Miller, D.D. Baltensperger, R.K. Imel, B.R. Hendon, L.V. Davis, and T.W. Witt. 2015. Industrial Crops to Hel Mediate Climate Warming in the Southwestern U.S. Ed. J. Janick, A. Whipkey, and V. M. Cruz. Proceedings of the Joint Annual Meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Industrial Crops and the USDS National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Washington D.C. Oct. 12-16, 2015. P. 251-271.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Bardhan, S., Jose, J., Kitchen, N.R., Thompson, A. 2014. Nitrogen uptake by corn and switchgrass plants in soils of varying depths in central Missouri (online). In 2014 ASA-CSSA-SSSA annual meeting abstracts. Long Beach, CA, Nov. 2-5, 2014. ASA Madison, WI. https://scisoc.confex.com/scisoc/2014am/webprogram/Paper89846.html
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Liu Shui, J.J. Wang, Z. Tian, and H. Zhang. 2014. The distribution of organic carbon in wet-sieved aggregates as related to different fertilization in a long-term wheat experiment. ASA, Long Beach, CA, Nov. 2-5, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Nystrom, E., Munster, C., Schnell, R., Provin, T., & McInnes, K. (2015, April). Biochar Effects on Soil Physical Properties and Bermudagrass Growth. Seminar presented at Texas A&M University, Soil & Crop Sciences Department Seminar Series.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Randall, B.K., Kitchen, N.R., Heaton, E. Myers, D.B., and Thompson, A. 2014. Management factors affecting establishment and yield of bioenergy miscanthus on claypan soil landscapes (online). In 2014 ASA-CSSA-SSSA annual meeting abstracts. Long Beach, CA, Nov. 2-5, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Randall, B.K., Kitchen, N.R., Heaton, E. Myers, D.B., and Thompson, A. 2014. Nitrogen Management of Bioenergy of Miscanthus on Claypan Soil Landscapes. 2014 North Central Extension-Industry Soil Fertility Conference, November 19-20, Des Moines, IA. pp. 141-146.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Singh, S., Begna, S. B., Grover, K. K., Angadi, S.V., and Auld, D. L. 2014. Growth Stage Based Irrigation Management of Spring Safflower. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting, Nov 2-5, 2014. Long Beach, CA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Sukhbir Singh, S.B. Begna, K. K. Grover, S.V. Angadi and D.L. Auld. 2014. Growth Stage
Based Irrigation Management of Spring Safflower. ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting, Nov 2-5. Long Beach, CA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Singh, S., K. J. Boote, S.V. Angadi, K. Grover, S. Begna, and D. Auld. 2015. Adapting the CROPGRO model for an industrial oilseed crop: spring safflower. 27th Annual AAIC Meeting. Industrial Crops: Research to Commercial Application: Program and Abstracts. Oct. 18-22, 2015. Lubbock, TX. Poster Paper. p. 22.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Dolginow, J.P., Massey, R.E., Kitchen, N.R., Myers, D.B., and Sudduth, K.A. 2014. A stochastic approach for predicting the profitability of bioenergy grasses. Agron. J. 106:2137-2145. doi:10.2134/agronj14.0110 https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/aj/articles/0/0/agronj14.0110
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Lin, F., Waters, C. L., Mallinson, R.G., Lobban, L. L., and Bartley, L. E. 2015. Relationships between
biomass composition and liquid products formed via pyrolysis. Frontiers in Energy 3:45. Doi: 10.3389/fenrg.2015.00045.http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fenrg.2015.00045/full
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Qian, K. Z., Kumar, A., Zhang, H. L., Bellmer, D., and Huhnke, R. 2015. Recent advances in utilization of biochar. Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews 42:1055-1064
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Singh, S., Grover, K., Begna, S., Angadi, S., Steiner, R. and D.L. Auld. 2014. Physiological Response of Diverse origin Spring Safflower Genotypes to Salinity. Journal of Arid Land Studies 24(1): 169-174
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Singh, S., K.J. Boote, S. Angadi, K. Grover. S. Bega, and D.L. Auld. 2015. Adapting the CROPGRO model to simulate growth and yield of spring safflower in semi-arid Conditions. Agron. J. 108:64-72.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Sun, H., J. Min, H. Zhang, and W. Shi. 2014. Controlled release fertilizer, floating duckweed, and biochar affect ammonia volatilization and nitrous oxide emission from rice paddy fields irrigated with nitrogen-rich wastewater. Paddy Water Environ Technical Report. The International Society of Paddy and Water Environment Engineering and Springer Japan 2015. DOI 10.1007/s10333-015-0482-2
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Randall, B.K. 2015. Establishment and yield of bioenergy miscanthus on clayplan soil landscapes. MS Thesis. Univ. of Missouri.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Gossel, A. 2015. Predicting switchgrass biomass and ethanol potential on claypan soil landscapes. MS Thesis. Univ. of Missouri.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Missouri Crop Resource Guide: Bioenergy Grasses, created while working on this project: http://crops.missouri.edu/bioenergy/
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
http://lubbock.tamu.edu/files/2014/03/Safflower-TX-South-Plains-2014.pdf
C.L. Trostle. 2014. Spring & Winter Safflower as a Potential Crop: South Plains Region,
Texas. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Lubbock, TX.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Switchgrass and Miscanthus: Economics of Perennial Grasses Grown for Bioenergy University of Missouri Extension guide sheet. http://extension.missouri.edu/explorepdf/agguides/crops/g04980.pdf
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Farmer Extension Presentation: C.L. Trostle. 2014. Safflower potential in West Texas. Presentation to Fisher Co., Texas county extension program, Lubbock Co. Crops conference, Dec. 12, 2014.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Series of ~10 Columbia Tribune Newspaper articles on the miscanthus BCAP program in mid-Missouri, including several related to the collaboration work of this research project. http://www.columbiatribune.com/topic/?q=miscanthus%20giganteus&l=25&sd=asc
- Type:
Other
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Biomass crops benefit marginal soils . News from Univ. of Missouri Extension. http://agebb.missouri.edu/news/ext/showall.asp?story_num=6001&iln=4
|
Progress 09/01/13 to 08/31/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Scientists, engineers, undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral associates, farmers interested in growing biofuel crops, bioindustry personnel, policy makers and the general public. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Most projects, at the principal investigator level, would have opportunities such as laboratory and field safety training and how to conduct science-based research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Presentations at technical conferences and through publishing of journal articles. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? At the Center level, ensure good progress on projects continues through receipt and review of quarterly reports from principal investigators.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
"Torrefaction and Densification of Switchgrass to Improve Syngas Quality and Transportation Logistics" (Dr. Ajay Kumar, Oklahoma State University): This project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of torrefaction and densification in reducing challenges in biomass conversion, transportation, and storage logistics. Effects of four pretreatments (torrefaction at 230 and 270°C, densification, and combined torrefaction and densification) were investigated. Devolatilization study of raw and pre-processed biomass showed that switchgrass torrefied at 270°C had the highest carbon and the lowest hydrogen and oxygen contents. Combined torrefaction and densification of switchgrass was the most reactive biomass and resulted in the least volatile and the highest ash and fixed carbon contents. Pretreatments of switchgrass and gasifier bed temperatures had significant effects on gasification performance. Among all pretreatments, gasification of combined torrefied and densified switchgrass resulted in the highest yields of H2 and CO, highest syngas heating value and efficiency at the gasifier bed temperature of 900°C. Anhydrous sugars and phenols in bio-oil increased with torrefaction. High pyrolysis temperature enhanced decomposition of lignin and anhydrous sugars, leading to increase in phenols, aromatics and furans. In addition, densification enhanced depolymerization of cellulose and hemicellulose during pyrolysis. The following are accomplishments of selected on-going projects. "Value-Added Utilization of Biochar in Syngas Cleanup and Conditioning" (Dr. Donghai Wang, Kansas State University): Researchers found that nano-Ni/char catalyst showed higher catalytic reactivity than Ni/char catalyst, which indicates that the size of NiO does matter in syngas reforming. Although nano-Ni/char was not as good as Ni/γ-Al2O3 in WGS reactions at relatively high temperatures (above 750°C), its performance was better at lower temperatures. Nano-Ni/char with 5% nickel loading showed excellent catalytic performance and was close to or better than Ni/char and Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalysts at 10% nickel loading, which means that nano-Ni/char can potentially reduce the use of nickel. A top-lit updraft biomass gasifier was fabricated to make biochar from various biomass feedstocks. For wood chips gasification, tests were conducted to determine the effect of different air flow rates. Biochar yield decreased as the flow of air in the gasifier increased. Tar content also presented an inverse relationship with the air-flow rate, reaching its maximum of 86.2 g/m3 at 8 lpm. The highest reaction temperature of 840oC was achieved at 20 lpm and decreased to 661oC when the air-flow rate was reduced to 8 lpm. Comparing rice hulls and wood chips gasification, biochar yield was found to decrease as the air-flow rate increased for both biomasses. However, the yield of biochar from rice hulls was significantly higher than wood chips biochar at all levels of air flow. For instance, at 8 lpm, rice hulls yielded 38% biochar and wood chips 27%. A remarkable increase in the tar content was exhibited when wood chips were used as raw material. At 20 lpm, for both cases, the lowest tar content was observed; however, tar content for wood chips was recorded to be ten times higher than tar produced from rice hulls, 11.4 and 1.1 g/m3, respectively. This rate of tar increased as the air flow decreased since more tar was produced. At 8 lpm, tar content was increased from 2.5 g/m3 (rice hulls) to 60.1 g/m3 (wood chips), representing the highest tar content for the non-insulated cases. The reaction temperatures increased as the air flow increased, but, slightly higher temperatures were observed for rice hulls gasification. At 8 lpm, syngas heating value from rice hulls was 2.9 MJ/m3 and wood chips 2.5 MJ/m3. Little difference on high heating value was found when varying the air-flow rate in the two cases. "Sustainable Feedstock Production for Bioenergy" (Dr. Clyde Munster, Texas A&M University): A field study was initiated to evaluate chemical and physical properties of soil and runoff from biochar-amended plots planted to bermudagrass. A weak trend of decreasing cumulative runoff depth with increasing application rate of applied biochar was observed during the first year of the study. Control plots (no biochar) produced the largest amount of runoff as expected. High rates of biochar applications increased biomass production. There was an inverse relationship between the total biomass produced and runoff of rainfall, especially for the plots with the highest biochar applications. This may be true because, in general, as biomass production increases, the percentage of the soil surface covered by vegetation also increases. This should decrease raindrop impact, increase infiltration, and decrease runoff potential. Harvest data showed a significant increase in grass production in research plots with the highest rates of incorporated biochar addition. Water holding capacity also increased for the highest rate of incorporated biochar, likely leading to the observed increase in grass production. The results of nutrient testing of the research plots revealed significant increases in pH and potassium content of the soil with increasing rates of biochar application, regardless of whether the biochar was unincorporated or incorporated. In addition, there was a significant increase in nitrate-nitrogen content as unincorporated biochar rates increased. A greenhouse study that mimics the field study both in biochar application rates (0, 4, 8, 12, and 16 Mg/ha) and application type (unincorporated and incorporated) and assesses soil nutrients and biomass production is underway. "Miscanthus and Switchgrass Bioenergy Production and Soil Remediation on Marginal and Vulnerable Landscapes" (Dr. Newell Kitchen, USDA-ARS, Columbus, MO): The project aimed to determine: a) nitrogen (N) requirements and yield potentials of Miscanthus in degraded claypan soils and b) how rhizome quality and claypan soil landscape impact initial growth and establishment of Miscanthus. It was found that N fertilizer correlated with in-season plant greenness (as measured with chlorophyll content readings) early in the growing season; however, the effect of N fertilizer rate diminished by September. Further, only one site responded to N fertilization in 2013. This observed lack of response to N fertilization could be due to the ability of miscanthus to recycle nutrients from previous year's growth, along with its ability to re-partition N into the most photosynthetic-active upper leaves throughout the growing season. Thus, these preliminary results suggest little to no N fertilizer is needed when growing miscanthus on claypan soils. Additional years of study are needed to confirm this finding. Larger, longer, and active rhizomes did not result in higher yields of Miscanthus grown in claypan soil. A replicate year of both studies is underway.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Qian, K., A. M. Sharma, A. Kumar, R. L. Huhnke. 2014. Conditioning of biomass-generated syngas using biochar and biochar-based catalysts. In 2014 ASABE and CSBE/SCGAB Annual International Meeting. Montreal, Quebec, Canada, July 13-16, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Qian, K., and A. Kumar. 2014. Reforming of naphthalene and anthracene as model tar using char-supported nickel catalyst. In ACS National Meeting. Dallas, Texas, March 16-20, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Auld, D.L., C.L. Trostle, S.V. Angadi, D.P. Malinowski, G. Ritchie, S.J. Mass, N. Rajan, T.D. Miller, D.D. Baltensperger, R.K. Imel, B.R. Hendon, L.C. Davis, and T.W. Witt. 2013. A new generation of desert crops for the Lower Great Plains of the U.S. Desert Technology 11. San Antonio, TX. Nov. 21, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Bardhan, S., J. Jose, N. R. Kitchen, and A. L. Thompson. 2014. Nitrogen uptake by corn and switchgrass plants in soils of varying depths in central Missouri. In 2014 ASA-CSSA-SSSA annual meeting abstracts. Long Beach, CA, Nov. 2-5, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Boardman, D.L., N. R. Kitchen, E. B. Allphin, and A. L. Thompson. 2014. Water and nitrogen use efficiency of corn and switchgrass on claypan soil landscapes. In Proceedings of the International Conference on Precision Agriculture. Sacramento, CA, July 20-23, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Dolginow, J., R. Massey, B. Myers, and N. R. Kitchen. 2013. Adjusting crop insurance APH calculation to accommodate biomass production. In 2013 Agricultural and Applied Economics Association: Crop Insurance and the Farm Bill Symposium. Louisville, KY,October 8-9, 2013. http://econpapers.repec.org/paper/agsaaeaci/156945.htm
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Gossel, A., A. L. Thompson, and N. R. Kitchen. 2014. Switchgrass modeling with ALMANAC for eroded claypan soils. In Proceedings of the 2014 ASABE and CSBE/SCGAB Annual International Meeting. Montreal, Quebec, Canada, July 13-16, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Frederick, N., M. Buser, M. Li, M. Wilkins and D.J. Carrier. 2014. Decreasing the severity of chemical pretreatment processes in the saccharification of lignocellulosic biomass through biological pretreatment with the white rot fungi Pleurotus ostreatus. In S1041Multistate Research Committee Meeting. New Orleans, LA, August 4-6, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
James, A., and W. Yuan. 2014. A novel and efficient method to produce biochar from low-bulk density Biomass. In Proceedings of the 2014 ASABE and CSBE/SCGAB Annual International Meeting. Montreal, Quebec, Canada, July 13-16, 2014.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Sarkar, M., A. Kumar, Jaya Shankar Tumuluru, Krushna Patil, and Danielle Bellmer. 2014. Thermal devolatilization kinetics of switchgrass pretreated with torrefaction and densification. Special Collection: Advances in Biomass Pretreatment and Conversion. Transactions of ASABE 57(4):1199-1210.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Severino, L.S., R.L.S. Lima, N. Castillo, M.A. Lucena, D.L. Auld and T.K. Udeigwe. 2014. Emergence and early growth of castor, cotton, and safflower plants influenced by the salinity of sodium, calcium and magnesium. Industrial Crops and Products 57:90-97.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Singh, S., K. Grover, S. Begna, S. Angadi, R. Steiner, and D.L. Auld. 2014. Physiological response of diverse origin spring safflower genotypes to salinity. J. of Arid Land Studies 24(1): 169-174.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Thomas, T.P., D.M. Birney, and D.L. Auld. 2013. Optimizing esterification of safflower, cottonseed, castor, and used cottonseed oils. Industrial Crops and Products 41:102-106.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Randall, B.K., N. R. Kitchen, E. Heaton, D. B. Myers, and A. L. Thompson. 2014. Management factors affecting establishment and yield of bioenergy miscanthus on claypan soil landscapes. In 2014 ASA-CSSA-SSSA annual meeting abstracts. Long Beach, CA, Nov. 2-5, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Sarkar, M., A. Kumar, J. S. Tumuluru, K. Patil and D. Bellmer. 2014. Effects of torrefaction and densification on syngas generated from switchgrass gasification. In Proceedings of the 2014 ASABE and CSBE/SCGAB Annual International Meeting. Montreal, Quebec, Canada, July 13-16, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Sarkar, M., Z. Yang, A. Kumar, J.S. Tumuluru, and R. L. Huhnke. 2014. Effects of torrefaction and densification on switchgrass pyrolysis products. In S1041Multistate Research Committee Meeting. New Orleans, LA, August 4-6, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Singh, S., K. K. Grover, S.B. Begna and S.V. Angadi. 2013. Effects of pre-irrigation and irrigation levels on physiology and yield of spring safflower in the semi-arid Southern High Plains. In ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting. Tampa, Fl., Nov 3-6, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Singh, S., S.V. Angadi, S.B. Begna and K. K. Grover. 2013. Spring safflower water extraction patterns under different irrigation management strategies in the Southern High Plains. In ASA-CSSA-SSSA Annual Meeting. Tampa, Fl., Nov 3-6, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Singh, S., K. Grover, S.B. Begna and S.V. Angadi. 2013. Response of spring safflower genotypes to water stress in semi-arid New Mexico. In URC Research and Creative Activities Fair, NMSU. Las Cruces, NM. Oct 4, 2013.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Waters, C., T. Pegg, S. Wan, L. Bartley, and R. Mallinson. 2014. Strategies for selection of genetic variants of switchgrass feedstocks for favorable thermal conversion pathway characteristics. In 247th National Meeting of the American Chemical Society. Dallas, TX, March 17, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Waters, C., Pegg, T., Lin, F., Wan, S., Jentoft, R., Resasco, D., Lobban, L., Bartley, L., and R. Mallinson. 2014. Correlation of switchgrass biomass composition to thermochemical biofuel product distribution. In Iowa State University Engineered Crops Workshop. Des Moines IA, April 28-29, 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Yuan, W. 2013. Nanotechnology in Biomass Gasification and Artificial Photosynthesis. In North Carolina State A&T University. November 15, 2013.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Dolginow, J.P., R. E. Massey, N. R. Kitchen. D. B. Myers, and K. A. Sudduth. 2014. A stochastic approach for predicting the profitability of bioenergy grasses. Agron. J. 106:2137-2145.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
James A., W. Yuan, M. D. Boyette, D. Wang, A. Kumar. 2014. In-chamber thermocatalytic tar cracking and syngas reforming using char-supported NiO catalyst in an updraft biomass gasifier. Int J Agric & Biol Eng. 7(6): 91?97.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Sarkar, M., A. Kumar, J. S. Tumuluru, K. N. Patil, and D. Bellmer. 2014. Gasification performance of switchgrass pretreated with torrefaction and densification. Applied Energy 127:194-201.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Yang, Z., M. Sarkar, A. Kumar, J.S. Tumuluru, and R.L. Huhnke. 2014. Effects of torrefaction and densification on switchgrass pyrolysis products. Bioresource Technology 174: 266-273.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Wang, D., W. Yuan, D. Wang, and A. Kumar. 2014. A char supported nano-NiO catalyst for biomass syngas cleanup and conditioning. Transactions of the ASABE 57(1): 93-101.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Kumar, A., K. Qian, D. Bellmer, H. Zhang, and K. Patil. 2014. Biomass-derived catalyst for conditioning syngas and other applications. Provisional Patent filed to US Patent Office, May 28, 2014.
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Progress 09/01/12 to 08/31/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Scientists, engineers, undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral associates, farmers interested in growing biofuel crops, bio-industry personnel, policy makers and the general public. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Most projects, at the principal investigator level, would have opportunities such as laboratory and field safety training and how to conduct science based research. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Presentations at technical conferences and through publishing of journal articles. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? At the Center level, ensure good progress on projects continues through receipt and review of quarterly reports from principal investigators.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The five project proposals selected for funding during in FY2012 received approval by USDA during the second quarter of FY13. Those funded were “Development of Safflower as a New Biomass Energy Crop for the Lower Great Plains of North America” lead by Dr. Dick Auld, Texas Tech University; “Sustainable Feedstock Production for Bioenergy” lead by Dr. Clyde Munster, Texas A&M University; “Miscanthus and Switchgrass Bioenergy Production and Soil Remediation on Marginal and Vulnerable Landscapes” lead by Dr. Newell Kitchen, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Columbus, MO; “Enhanced Biofuels Production with Genetically Optimized Feedstocks by Multistage Pyrolysis” lead by Dr. Richard Mallinson, University of Oklahoma; and “Decreasing Severity of Switchgrass Pretreatment through Biological Pretreatment” lead by Dr. Mark Wilkins, Oklahoma State University. The following are accomplishments of selected projects. Value-Added Utilization of Biochar in Syngas Cleanup and Conditioning (D. Wang, KSU): A biomass updraft gasifier was used test the performance of char-NiO catalysts. Results showed that char alone (0% Ni loading) achieved a tar removal rate of 60.9%. Tar removal rate significantly increased as Ni loading increased, suggesting that Ni2O played a significant role in tar removal. When Ni loading increased to 15%, the tar removal rate started to decrease. Research showed that tar removal has a linear relationship with reaction temperature when char and nickel-char catalysts were used. The effect of nickel loading on syngas composition was explored at 0.2s residence time. It was shown that at 10% loading, CO and CH4 showed their highest composition of 23.9% and 7.3%, respectively; hydrogen composition at this point was 14.2%. At the same condition before cracking CO (18.1%) and CH4 (3.9%) presented the lowest syngas composition. Char reforming activity was also presented. Hydrogen was increased from 6.0% to 11.3%; however, No significant increment of CO was shown. The effect of reforming temperature on tar removal and syngas composition was investigated in the temperature range of 650°C to 850C while the Ni loading and gas residence time were fixed at 15wt.% and 0.3 s, respectively. It was shown that tar removal increased with increasing reaction temperature in all cases. Under the same reaction conditions, nano-Ni/char catalyst showed the highest tar removal at all temperatures, ranging from 91% to 99%. The Ni/char catalyst also achieved higher than 90% tar removal rates, even at relatively low temperatures (greater than 750C) where the Ni/y-Al2O3 was not as effective. However, when temperatures were at 800C or higher, Ni/y-Al2O3 was as effective as nano-Ni/char and slightly better than Ni/char in tar removal. This indicates that the Ni/y-Al2O3 catalyst requires higher reaction temperature, while Ni/char and nano-Ni/char can work effectively at lower temperatures. If 95% tar removal is the target, a reaction temperature of 750°C is needed for nano-Ni/char, and a minimum of 800C is required for the other two catalysts. The better catalytic performance of nano-Ni/char and Ni/char at relatively low temperatures could be explained by the fact that char itself decomposes heavy tars into small hydrocarbons at low temperatures, but y-Al2O3 lacks of this capability. It is also well known that nickel catalysts have low catalytic reactivity when reaction temperature is under 750C. Sustainable Feedstock Production for Bioenergy (C. Munster, Texas A&M University): A set of laboratory experiments were conducted on methods and procedures to bind the low density residual biochar with bentonite clay, limestone, and flocculants. Binding biochar with an inexpensive high density material will be extremely important for the handling and land application of the biochar. The goal was to develop the methods and procedures required to transform the biochar into a material that can be easily handled and spread on the land without airborne losses. The effects of several additives on the density and cohesion of biochar particles was studied. These additives included sodium bentonite clay, limestone, urea, and several polymers. It was initially thought that due to the adhesive nature of bentonite clay, this additive would, when wetted, adhere readily to biochar particles causing clumping. This interaction failed to be observed in the sieve analysis. Unacceptably high levels of water, clay and other additives were needed to attain aggregation and would have been prohibitively expensive. Attempts to pelletize the biochar using urea were also investigated as a way to increase the density of biochar as well as increase its value as a commercial soil treatment/fertilizer. It was discovered that pellets formed by this method were fragile and easily broken apart. The friction forces did not generate enough heat during compression to fully liquefy the added urea. In the end, it was determined that simply adding water in the amount of 76-106% by weight to the biochar mixture produced the best biochar aggregation. For biochar applications to agricultural soils, treatments plots were established. For the plots receiving incorporated biochar, the biochar was incorporated to a depth of 3-6 inches using a rototiller. The control and unincorporated plots were tilled in the same manner. The plots were then seeded with Bermudagrass at a rate of 1 lb/500 sq.ft. (87 lb/acre). After seeding, biochar was applied to the unincorporated plots. The plots were irrigated for approximately two weeks in order to establish the Bermudagrass. After the Bermudagrass was establishment, the runoff capturing devices were installed. Development of Safflower as a New Biomass Energy Crop for the Lower Great Plains of North America (D. Auld, Texas Tech University): Replicated plots were established in four water rate plots (4, 10, 16, & 22 inches) of supplemental irrigation on March 27th, 2013. Stand establishment was excellent and the nine spring genotypes had already initiated flower on June 5th when a severe thunderstorm and hail destroyed essentially all of the spring safflower plants but caused only minor damage to the plants of the five facultative winter lines which were just starting to bolt. The spring types were removed by tillage and individual selections of the winter genotype will be evaluated for bloom, maturity, seed yield, and disease tolerance under differential irrigation this summer and fall.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Benson, B., C. Fernandez and J. Fox. 2012. Mechanistic model development of fundamental biological and physiological processes governing lipid production by microalgae. Poster presented at the National Sun Grant Initiative Conference: Science for Biomass Feedstock Production and Utilization, New Orleans, LA.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
James, A., W. Yuan, and D. Wang. 2013. Evaluation of operating condition and biomass type effects on an updraft biomass gasifier. Poster presented at the Annual International Meeting of ASABE, Kansas City, MO.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Kumar, A., K. Qian, K.N. Patil, D. Bellmer, and R.L. Huhnke. 2012. Effects of biomass feedstocks, gasifier design and conditions on physiochemical properties of biochar. Poster presented at the National Sun Grant Initiative Conference: Science for Biomass Feedstock Production and Utilization, New Orleans, LA
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Under Review
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Wang, D., W. Yuan, D. Wang and A. Kumar. A char-supported nano-NiO catalyst for biomass syngas cleanup and conditioning. Transactions of the ASABE (in review).2013
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Yuan, W., and A. James. 2012. In-situ thermo-catalytic tar cracking and syngas reforming in an updraft biomass gasifier. ASABE 121336834. Presented at the Annual International Meeting of ASABE, Dallas, TX.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Yuan, W., D. Wang and D. Wang. 2012. Char-based Ni catalysts for syngas cleanup and conditioning in biomass gasification. Poster presented at the National Sun Grant Initiative Conference: Science for Biomass Feedstock Production and Utilization, New Orleans, LA.
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Progress 09/01/11 to 08/31/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Center Administration developed a Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit applicants for the Regional Competitive Grants Competition that would utilize funds from the 2011 USDA grant and the anticipated 2012 USDA grant. The estimated total funds available was $648,000. The RFA was reviewed by the Center's Oversight Team, consisting of one high ranking university official from each state in the region (a total of eight individuals). The Center announced the availability of its regional competitive grants program in a RFA released in January 2012. The RFA was sent via email to the Sponsored Programs offices of all land grant universities in the region plus members of the South Central Region's Advisory Board and Oversight Team. The RFA was also posted on SC-SGI's website http://sungrant.okstate.edu. The RFA stipulated a maximum funding request of $162,000 for two years. Letters of Intent (LOI) were required in order to submit a full proposal. Fifty eight (58) LOIs were received via the on-line Webnibus submission process by the deadline. Fifty three (53) investigators were invited to submit full proposals through on-line submission. A total of 47 full proposals were received (total request of $6,964,018) with PIs from every state in the region except New Mexico: Arkansas, 3; Colorado, 2; Kansas, 5; Louisiana, 7; Missouri, 5; Oklahoma, 8; and Texas, 17. Proposals were assigned to technical reviewers using categories determined by USDA priority areas. Ad Hoc reviewers submitted their ratings and comments into Webnibus. Each proposal was reviewed by at least one Ad Hoc reviewer. After all reviews were submitted, ratings for each proposal were combined to determine the average scores. Each proposal was also reviewed by two Primary reviewers. Primary reviewers also served as panelists responsible for ranking each proposal from high to low based on panelists consensus. The South Central Region's Oversight Team (consisting of a high ranking university official from each land grant institution within the region) was provided the panel results. The Team recommended four (4) proposals for funding for FY 2011 through FY 2013. Awards will be made upon USDA approval. All PIs who submitted full proposals were provided masked Ad Hoc and Primary Reviewer comments. Additional program information can be found at http://www.sungrant.okstate.edu PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Following the 2011 competitive grants program and approval of selected projects by USDA-NIFA, the Center issued subaward agreements for the following 2-year projects: Project Title: Building the Basis for the Improvement of Microalgae Oil Production Systems Efficiency through the Quantification and Model Integration of Fundamental Biological and Physiological Processes Investigators and affiliations: PI: Carlos Fernandez (Texas AgriLife Research, Texas AgriLife Research & Extensions Center - Corpus Christi). Co-PI: Joe Fox (Marine Biology, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi). Co-PI: Barbara Benson (Renewable Resources, University of Louisiana - Lafayette). The following project was originally submitted by Wenqiao Yuan. Per the request of USDA-NIFA, it was split into two projects with Dr. Yuan's project (A) being the parent to Ajay Kumar's project (B) of the same name. Project Title: Value-Added Utilization of Biochar in Syngas Cleanup and Conditioning Investigators and affiliations: A) PI: Wenqiao Yuan (Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State University). Co-PI: Donghai Wang (Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State University). B) PI: Ajay Kumar (Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University). Co-PIs: Danielle Bellmer and Krushna Patil (Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University). In addition to the two competitive grants, a Center grant was awarded, based largely on the competitive grants rating, to Ajay Kumar. Project Title: Torrefaction and Densification of Switchgrass to Improve Syngas Quality and Transportation Logistics. Investigators and affiliations: PI: Ajay Kumar (Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University). Co-PIs: Krushna Patil, Carol Jones and Danielle Bellmer (Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, Oklahoma State University). Co-PI: Jaya Shankar Tumuluru (Biofuels & Renewable Energy Technologies Department Idaho National Laboratory).
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 09/01/10 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: After receiving notification of funding, center Administration developed a Request for Applications (RFA) to solicit applicants for the Regional Competitive Grants Competition. The RFA was reviewed by the center's Oversight Team, consisting of one high ranking university official from each state in the region (a total of eight individuals). The center announced the availability of its regional competitive grants program in a RFA released in December 2010. The RFA was sent via e-mail to the Sponsored Programs offices of all land grant universities in the region plus members of the South Central Region's Advisory Board and Oversight Team. The RFA was also posted on SC-SGI's website http://sungrant.okstate.edu. The RFA outlined one grant category: grants of up to $60,000 annually for no more than two years. Letters of Intent (LOI) were required in order to submit a full proposal. Twenty LOIs were received via the on-line Webnibus submission process by the deadline. No Principal Investigators (PIs) were discouraged from submission due to failure to meet submission requirements. Twenty (20) projects were invited to submit full proposals through on-line submission. Proposals were submitted by PIs from every state in the region except New Mexico: Arkansas 1, Colorado 1, Kansas 3, Louisiana 3, Missouri 1, New Mexico 0, Oklahoma 3, and Texas 8. Of the 20 LOIs, seventeen (17) full proposals (total request of $2,109,219) were received and assigned to technical reviewers using categories determined by USDA priority areas. Ad Hoc reviewers submitted their rating and comments into Webnibus. Each proposal was reviewed by at least one Ad Hoc reviewer. After all reviews were submitted, ratings for each proposal were combined to determine the average scores. Reviews were also performed by On-Site reviewers. Two On-Site reviewers served as a primary or secondary reviewer for each of the assigned USDA-NIFA proposals. After the proposals were reviewed, they were ranked from High to Low based upon On-Site Reviewer Team consensus. The South Central Region's Oversight Team (consisting of one high ranking university official from a land-grant within each state in the region) was provided the On-Site Review Team's results. The team recommended two (2) Competitive Grants for funding totaling $320,000 for FY 2010 through FY 2012. The center administration selected one (1) of the competitively reviewed projects as a Center Award totaling $83,241. All PIs who submitted past the Full Proposal stage will be provided the masked Ad Hoc and On-Site Reviewer comments after approval is received. Awards will be made on an incremental basis, based upon annual progress of project. PARTICIPANTS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
Following the competitive grants review, the following proposals were recommended to USDA-NIFA for funding. The Center is awaiting USDA-NIFA approval to mail award letters, decline letters, and masked reviews. After receipt of approval, the Center will issue subaward agreements for the following 2-year competitive projects. Project Title: Building the Basis for the Improvement of Microalgae Oil Production Systems Efficiency through the Quantification and Model Integration of Fundamental Biological and Physiological Processes. Principal Investigators and affiliations: PI: Carlos Fernandez (Texas AgriLife Research, Texas AgriLife Research & Extensions Center Corpus Christi), Associate-PI: Joe Fox (Texas A&M University Corpus Christi, Marine Biology), Associate-PI: Barbara Benson (University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Renewable Resources). Funded: $120,000 The following project was originally submitted by Wenqiao Yuan in the amount of $159,954. Per the request of USDA-NIFA, it was split into two projects with Wenqiao Yuan's project (A) is the parent to Ajay Kumar's project (B) of the same name. Project Title: Value-Added Utilization of Biochar in Syngas Cleanup and Conditioning. Principal Investigators and affiliations: A) PI: Wenqiao Yuan (Kansas State University, Biological and Agricultural Engineering), Co-PI: Dr. Donghai Wang (Kansas State University, Biological and Agricultural Engineering). Funded: $80,688. (B) PI: Ajay Kumar (Oklahoma State University, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering), Co-PI: Dani Bellmer (Oklahoma State University, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering), Co-PI: Krushna Patil (Oklahoma State University, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering). Funded: $79,266.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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