Team Gemstone BioF.U.E.L.S.

Furthering the Utilization of Energy from Land and Soil

Presentation Roadmap

• Introduction

• Research Questions

• Literature Review

• Methodology

• Timeline

• Questions and Comments

IntroductionThe Current Situation

• Rising gas and energy costs, need for alternative energy sources such as biofuels

• 85 Ethanol derived from corn only a short-term solution

• Energy Independence and Security Act (2007):– Biofuels must account for 36 billion gallons of gasoline by 2022

– 21 billion gallons must be from non-cornstarch products, namely cellulosic biofuels

• Rapidly progressing conversion technologies remain expensive compared to petroleum

IntroductionPurpose of Study

• To examine Miscanthus x giganteus's potential as a future energy crop

• To determine how well Miscanthus x giganteus can grow on marginal land, and how its growth on marginal land can be supplemented

• To estimate the potential effect that the use of Miscanthus x giganteus as an alternative biofuel source will have on the economic sector

Research Questions

• How do the biomass yields of Miscanthus x giganteus compare, with and without the presence of a water-absorbing polymer (potassium-based cross-linked polyacrylamide) in the soil, when grown on agriculturally viable land and agriculturally marginal land? – Does the water-absorbing polymer improve establishment and survival (in the first

year) of Miscanthus x giganteus on both agriculturally viable land and marginal land?

• How does the resulting energy content of Miscanthus x giganteus per unit mass and per unit area compare with the energy content of corn?

• What are the cost-benefit characteristics of Miscanthus x giganteus production on the different land types and with and without the presence of the polymer in the soil?

Literature ReviewWhy Miscanthus x giganteus?

• Perennial grass• Grows to be 12 feet tall• Reaches maturity in 2-4 years • Sterile - non-invasive• Requires little maintenance• Currently used in Europe as bioenergy crop• Little is known about the performance of the

plant in US conditions and on non-agricultural land

Literature ReviewEnergetic Analysis

Calorimetry• Pros: Inexpensive, simple to prepare samples, quick and easily interpretable

results• Cons: Is not a direct conversion into biofuel – the actual fuel-synthesis process

causes significant energy loss

Pyrolysis• No easy access to equipment, not the way that the plant would be processed

in “real world”

Enzymatic breakdown• No current enzyme to break down M. x giganteus specifically, relatively costly,

difficult to prepare plant samples.• (I think we need a note about Zymetis in here, since we’re still planning

on contacting them…)

Literature ReviewEconomic Implications

• Cellulosic ethanol compared to gasoline and corn ethanol

• Cellulosic ethanol has a significantly lower cost to society

Literature ReviewEconomic Implications

• Competitiveness of M. x giganteus among cellulosic ethanol-producing plants– M. x giganteus biomass yield is triple that of switchgrass and

diverse prairie biomass– Breakeven cost of M. x giganteus production (in Illinois) is

less than two-thirds that of switchgrass– Over time, total cost of M. x giganteus production will

decrease due to an increase in overall yield, while cost of switchgrass production will remain constant

MethodologyPlanting Procedure

Two different Maryland plots

• Woodstock plot– Fertile soil– Former farm land

• Brandywine plot– Clay and sandy soil, agriculturally marginal land– Abandoned sand and gravel mine

• SIDE BY SIDE PICTURES

• NOW WITH MORE SIDE-BY-SIDE ACTION

MethodologyPlanting Diagram

MethodologyField Component

• Plot maintenance– During the first year, the Woodstock plot was overgrown by weeds in

August, and was weeded by hand.– Plots are watered by hand at Woodstock, and by an automatic

sprinkler system at Brandywine.

• Harvest, Drying, and Weighing– Plants are harvested annually in the winter, following the season’s first

hard freeze, and dried and stored at the University of Maryland in a climate controlled environment until use.

MethodologyProcessing and Analysis

• Dried biomass will be ground for calometric analysis– Grinding machinery will be provided by Dr. Felton– Composited samples will be used in testing

• Calometric analysis to determine energy content of biomass grown in the four conditions– Comparison of M. x giganteus energy content with that of

corn– Procedures and equipment for calorimetric analysis will be

supplied by the Henry A. Wallace Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.

MethodologyCost-benefit estimate

• Cost-benefit estimate of M. x giganteus production under different growing conditions– On different soil types and with or without polymer

• Use available data on corn production in comparison of cost and benefit with M. x giganteus

• Better understand the efficiency and market impact of adopting M. x giganteus as alternative fuel source

Timeline Completed Objectives

• Summer 2009: – Planted M. x giganteus in two separate plots.

• Fall 2009: – Continue literature review.

• Winter 2009/10: – Harvested from both sites and began analysis of data.

• Spring 2010: – Research and develop economic model for analysis.

– Continue literature review.

– Identify experts for research and guidance.

– Develop a grant proposal for funding research.

– Have web page online.

– Analysis conducted on harvest.

– Complete sample drying, weighing, and grinding of samples.

– Determine how to sample soil, document, and complete soil sampling.

– Finalize team thesis proposal.

TimelineFuture Directions

• Summer 2010: – Begin calorimetric analysis in Beltsville Agricultural Research Center.

• Fall 2010: – Submit funding proposals.

– Make outline for thesis.

– Prepare for Fall Colloquia.  • Winter: 2010/11:

– Begin second harvest and analysis of data.

• Spring 2011:– Data analysis of second harvest.

– Economic analysis of compiled data.

– Complete draft of beginning chapters of proposals.

TimelineFuture Directions

• Summer 2011– Calorimetric analysis of second harvest will begin atBeltsville

Agricultural Research Center.

• Fall 2011:– Finalize thesis for submission.

• Spring 2012:– Team Thesis Conference

Questions and Comments?