Author
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Hatfield, Ronald |
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Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter Publication Acceptance Date: 11/10/2014 Publication Date: 8/18/2015 Citation: Hatfield, R.D. 2015. Enhancing biomass utilization for bioenergy - crop rotation systems and alternative conversion processes. In: Biernat, K., editor. Biofuels - Status and Perspective. Chapter 25. Rijeka, Croatia:InTech. p. 547-567. Interpretive Summary: Technical Abstract: Biomass for bioenergy has a great deal of potential for decreasing our dependence upon fossil fuels and decreasing the net CO2 accumulation in the atmosphere. Crop residues are often promoted as a means of meeting the total biomass goals to provide sufficient amounts of materials for liquid fuel production. Increased crop production needed to meet the growing demand for food production puts an additional burden upon our most productive land resources. With these increased demands, there is a growing concern about the loss of soil and nutrients through erosion in row crop-based systems, as well as depletion of soil carbon. This is especially true when more crop residues are removed for bioenergy production. Utilizing crops like alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in crop rotation systems helps stabilize soil, decreases dependence upon additional nitrogen fertilizers, and helps restore soil carbon due to its deep and extensive root system. In addition, alternative processes should be evaluated for the conversion of plant biomass to fuel precursors. Such systems would allow for a more complete conversion of cell wall carbohydrates to fuels and capture more value per unit of land mass. |
