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Yield of Biomass for Various Feedstocks
Theoretical Yields per Dry Ton for Commonly Considered Biomass Feedstock
The table below shows the theoretical yields of cellulosic ethanol from agricultural residue, waste products and woody biomass.
|
Feedstock |
Theoretical Yield (gallons per dry ton of feedstock) |
|
Corn Stover |
113.0 |
|
Rice Straw |
109.9 |
|
Cotton Gin Trash |
56.8 |
|
Forest Thinning |
81.5 |
|
Hardwood Sawdust |
100.8 |
|
Bagasse |
111.5 |
|
Mixed Paper |
116.2 |
|
Bamboo |
122.5 |
Source: http://www1.eere.energy.gov/biomass/ethanol_yield_calculator.html
* Note: This site also provides a Theoretical Ethanol Yield Calculator
For comparison:
- Yields of ethanol from first generation feedstocks such as corn are about 100 gal / dry ton
- Yield of ethanol using the biomass to liquid process (BTL) is also in the range of 100 gal / dry ton. (Source: Coskata)
Yield from Energy Crops
The table below shows the theoretical yields of various biomass per acre per year.
|
Energy Crops |
Yield Per Acre (in dry tons) |
Location |
|
Bambusa Edulis |
26.4 |
US, Taiwan |
|
Switchgrass |
17.0 |
US |
|
Giant Miscanthus |
19.6 |
US, EU |
|
Guinea Grass |
9.7-20.6 |
Japan, Puerto Rico |
|
Poplar |
6.1-8.9 |
US, EU |
|
Eucalyptus |
8.0-14.1 |
Australia, Hawaii |
|
White Birch |
3.0-4.5 |
Japan |
|
Willow |
7.7-8.3 |
Sweden |
|
Japanese Oedar |
2.8-4.0 |
Japan |
Source: STFC and Monthly Market Review, Ethanol Statistics, Mar 2008
These crops are currently being studied by federal, university and private groups for their potential to produce ethanol. Energy crops like bambusa, switch grass, miscanthus, poplar and willow are already being grown by farmers in different parts of the world. A five-year trial of switchgrass on farmland in the Midwestern United States found that the crop produces significantly more renewable energy as a biomass energy crop for cellulosic ethanol than energy consumed in its production.
Reference:
http://www.pnas.org/content/105/2/464.full.pdf+html
Related Links:
- Ethanol as Biofuels
- What are feedstocks?
- Properties of Feedstocks for ethanol production
- Yield of Biomass for Various Feedstocks
- Feedstocks used by Various Companies
- Why Cellulosic Ethanol?
- Cellulosic Ethanol Production
- Cellulosic Ethanol Production Value Chain
- Ethanol production methods
- Latest Discoveries and Breakthroughs
- R & D Roadmap in Cellulosic Ethanol
- Future projections
- Companies Involved in Producing Cellulosic Ethanol
- Investments & Funding
- Challenges & Barriers in the commercialization process
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