Details

Title:

Forage Sorghum: an Excellent Feedstock for Second Generation Biofuels in the North Central Region of the Usa

Author(s):

Berti, M., Johnson, B., Gesch, R., Samarappuli, D., Ji, Y., Seames, W., Kamireddy, S.R.

Document(s):

Abstract:

Forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] is grown in many semi­arid regions of the world as forage for hay and grazing and it is just starting to be considered as a lignocellulosic feedstock for biofuel generation. The objective of this multi­location, multi­year study was to determine the potential of forage sorghum as a second generation (2G) feedstock for biofuel in the northern Great Plains. Forage sorghum and sorghum x sudangrass hybrids were tested in North Dakota from 2009 to 2012. Twenty eight entries were evaluated at each location including Brown Mid Rib (BMR) hybrids. Forage sorghum biomass yield fluctuated between 9 and 20 Mg/ha and was greater for non­BMR sorghum than BMR sorghums. The principal component analysis indicated that ethanol yield, and N content were correlated with the presence of the BMR character. Chemical analysis results indicated that BMR and non­BMR sorghums had the same cellulose content, 33.7 dry wt%, as compared with that of corn (Zea mays L.) stover with 37.3% dry wt%. Hemicellulose content was higher in corn stover and BMR­sorghum, than in non­BMR sorghum. Lignin content was higher in corn stover (18.1%) compared with BMR­ (15.8%wt) and non­BMR sorghum (13.9%wt). The pretreatment of forage sorghum biomass at 160°C, 10 min, and 1 wt% acid concentration, led to maximum hemicellulose and cellulose hydrolysis. Many growers do not envision sorghum growing well in short­growing season areas, but the results of this study indicate forage sorghum is an excellent candidate for 2G feedstock.

Keywords:

cellulose, ethanol, hemicellulose, lignin, yield, Brown-mid-rib, principal components, forage sorghum

Topic:

Biomass resources

Subtopic:

Energy crops and energy grasses

Event:

21st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition

Session:

1CO.12.4

Pages:

160 - 165

ISBN:

978-88-89407-53-0

Paper DOI:

10.5071/21stEUBCE2013-1CO.12.4

Price:

FREE