Research

12 pages, 1175 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Production of Itaconic Acid from Cellulose Pulp: Feedstock Feasibility and Process Strategies for an Efficient Microbial Performance

by Abraham A. J. Kerssemakers, Pablo Doménech, Marco Cassano, Celina K. Yamakawa, Giuliano Dragone and Solange I. Mussatto

Energies 2020, 13(7), 1654; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13071654 - 02 Apr 2020

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3240

Abstract

This study assessed the feasibility of using bleached cellulose pulp from Eucalyptus wood as a feedstock for the production of itaconic acid by fermentation. Additionally, different process strategies were tested with the aim of selecting suitable conditions for an efficient production of itaconic [...] Read more.

This study assessed the feasibility of using bleached cellulose pulp from Eucalyptus wood as a feedstock for the production of itaconic acid by fermentation. Additionally, different process strategies were tested with the aim of selecting suitable conditions for an efficient production of itaconic acid by the fungus Aspergillus terreus. The feasibility of using cellulose pulp was demonstrated through assays that revealed the preference of the strain in using glucose as carbon source instead of xylose, mannose, sucrose or glycerol. Additionally, the cellulose pulp was easily digested by enzymes without requiring a previous step of pretreatment, producing a glucose-rich hydrolysate with a very low level of inhibitor compounds, suitable for use as a fermentation medium. Fermentation assays revealed that the technique used for sterilization of the hydrolysate (membrane filtration or autoclaving) had an important effect in its composition, especially on the nitrogen content, consequently affecting the fermentation performance. The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C:N ratio), initial glucose concentration and oxygen availability, were also important variables affecting the performance of the strain to produce itaconic acid from cellulose pulp hydrolysate. By selecting appropriate process conditions (sterilization by membrane filtration, medium supplementation with 3 g/L (NH₄)₂SO₄, 60 g/L of initial glucose concentration, and oxygen availability of 7.33 (volume of air/volume of medium)), the production of itaconic acid was maximized resulting in a yield of 0.62 g/g glucose consumed, and productivity of 0.52 g/L·h. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 27th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2019))

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22 pages, 3008 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High-Temperature, Dry Scrubbing of Syngas with Use of Mineral Sorbents and Ceramic Rigid Filters

by Mateusz Szul, Tomasz Iluk and Aleksander Sobolewski

Energies 2020, 13(6), 1528; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13061528 - 24 Mar 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 5067

Abstract

In this research, the idea of multicomponent, one-vessel cleaning of syngas through simultaneous dedusting and adsorption is described. Data presented were obtained with the use of a pilot-scale 60 kW_th fixed-bed GazEla reactor, coupled with a dry gas cleaning unit where mineral [...] Read more.

In this research, the idea of multicomponent, one-vessel cleaning of syngas through simultaneous dedusting and adsorption is described. Data presented were obtained with the use of a pilot-scale 60 kW_th fixed-bed GazEla reactor, coupled with a dry gas cleaning unit where mineral sorbents are injected into raw syngas at 500–650 °C, before dedusting at ceramic filters. The research primarily presents results of the application of four calcined sorbents, i.e., chalk (CaO), dolomite (MgO–CaO), halloysite (AlO–MgO–FeO), and kaolinite (AlO–MgO) for high-temperature (HT) adsorption of impurities contained in syngas from gasification of biomass. An emphasis on data regarding the stability of the filtration process is provided since the addition of coating and co-filtering materials is often necessary for keeping the filtration of syngas stable, in industrial applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 27th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2019))

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32 pages, 10799 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Evaluation of the Potential of Biomass to Energy in Portugal—Conclusions from the CONVERTE Project

by Mariana Abreu, Alberto Reis, Patrícia Moura, Ana Luisa Fernando, António Luís, Lídia Quental, Pedro Patinha and Francisco Gírio

Energies 2020, 13(4), 937; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13040937 - 21 Feb 2020

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 3855

Abstract

The main objective of the Portuguese project “CONVERTE-Biomass Potential for Energy” is to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, identifying biomass typologies in mainland Portugal, namely agri-forest waste, energy crops and microalgae. Therefore, the aim was to design and construct a georeferenced [...] Read more.

The main objective of the Portuguese project “CONVERTE-Biomass Potential for Energy” is to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, identifying biomass typologies in mainland Portugal, namely agri-forest waste, energy crops and microalgae. Therefore, the aim was to design and construct a georeferenced (mapping) database for mainland Portugal, to identify land availability for the implementation of energy crops and microalgae cultures, and to locate agricultural and forestry production areas (including their residues) with potential for sustainable exploitation for energy. The ArcGIS software was used as a Geographic Information System (GIS) tool, introducing the data corresponding to the type of soil, water needs and edaphoclimatic conditions in shapefile and raster data type, to assess the areas for the implantation of the biomass of interest. After analysing the data of interest in each map in ArcGIS, the intersection of all maps is presented, suggesting adequate areas and predicting biomass productions for the implementation of each culture in mainland Portugal. Under the conditions of the study, cardoon (72 kha, 1085 kt), paulownia (81 kha, 26 kt) and microalgae (29 kha, 1616 kt) presented the greater viability to be exploited as biomass to energy in degraded and marginal soils. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 27th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2019))

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11 pages, 1092 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Impact Assessments of Integrated Food and Non-Food Production Systems in Italy and Denmark

by Lisa Mølgaard Lehmann, Magdalena Borzęcka, Katarzyna Żyłowska, Andrea Pisanelli, Giuseppe Russo and Bhim Bahadur Ghaley

Energies 2020, 13(4), 849; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13040849 - 15 Feb 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3720

Abstract

Given the environmental footprints of the conventional agriculture, it is imperative to test and validate alternative production systems, with lower environmental impacts to mitigate and adapt our production systems. In this study, we identified six production systems, four in Italy and two in [...] Read more.

Given the environmental footprints of the conventional agriculture, it is imperative to test and validate alternative production systems, with lower environmental impacts to mitigate and adapt our production systems. In this study, we identified six production systems, four in Italy and two in Denmark, to assess the environmental footprint for comparison among the production systems and additionally with conventional production systems. SimaPro 8.4 software was used to carry out the life cycle impact assessment. Among other indicators, three significantly important indicators, namely global warming potential, acidification, and eutrophication, were used as the proxy for life cycle impact assessment. In Italy, the production systems compared were silvopastoral, organic, traditional, and conventional olive production systems, whereas in Denmark, combined food and energy production system was compared with the conventional wheat production system. Among the six production systems, conventional wheat production system in Denmark accounted for highest global warming potential, acidification, and eutrophication. In Italy, global warming potential was highest in traditional agroforestry and lowest in the silvopastoral system whereas acidification and eutrophication were lowest in the traditional production system with high acidification effects from the silvopastoral system. In Italy, machinery use contributed the highest greenhouse gas emissions in silvopastoral and organic production systems, while the large contribution to greenhouse gas emissions from fertilizer was recorded in the traditional and conventional production systems. In Denmark, the combined food and energy system had lower environmental impacts compared to the conventional wheat production system according to the three indicators. For both systems in Denmark, the main contribution to greenhouse gas emission was due to fertilizer and manure application. The study showed that integrated food and non-food systems are more environmentally friendly and less polluting compared to the conventional wheat production system in Denmark with use of chemical fertilizers and irrigation. The study can contribute to informed decision making by the land managers and policy makers for promotion of environmentally friendly food and non-food production practices, to meet the European Union targets of providing biomass-based materials and energy to contribute to the bio-based economy in Europe and beyond. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 27th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2019))

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21 pages, 7644 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Temporal Aspects in Emission Accounting—Case Study of Agriculture Sector

by Lelde Timma, Elina Dace and Marie Trydeman Knudsen

Energies 2020, 13(4), 800; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13040800 - 12 Feb 2020

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3553

Abstract

Complex relations link climate change and agriculture. The vast majority of the studies that are looking into the quantification of the climate impacts use the Global Warming Potential (GWP) for a 100-year time horizon (GWP100) as the default metrics. The GWP, including the [...] Read more.

Complex relations link climate change and agriculture. The vast majority of the studies that are looking into the quantification of the climate impacts use the Global Warming Potential (GWP) for a 100-year time horizon (GWP100) as the default metrics. The GWP, including the Bern Carbon Cycle Model (BCCM), was proposed as an alternative method to take into consideration the amount and time of emission, and the fraction of emissions that remained in the atmosphere from previous emission periods. Thus, this study aims to compare two methods for GHG emission accounting from the agriculture sector: the constant GWP100 and the time dynamic GWP100 horizon obtained by using the BCCM to find whether the obtained results will lead to similar or contradicting conclusions. Also, the effect of global temperature potential (GTP) of the studied system is summarized. The results show that the application of the BCCM would facilitate finding more efficient mitigation options for various pollutants and analyze various parts of the climate response system at a specific time in the future (amount of particular pollutants, temperature change potential). Moreover, analyze different solutions for reaching the emission mitigation targets at regional, national, or global levels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 27th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2019))

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15 pages, 2597 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Simulating the Effect of Torrefaction on the Heating Value of Barley Straw

by Dimitrios K. Sidiras, Antonios G. Nazos, Georgios E. Giakoumakis and Dorothea V. Politi

Energies 2020, 13(3), 736; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13030736 - 07 Feb 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2935

Abstract

Many recent studies focused on the research of thermal treated biomass in order to replace fossil fuels. These studies improved the knowledge about pretreated lignocellulosics contribution to achieve the goal of renewable energy sources, reducing CO₂ emissions and limiting climate change. They [...] Read more.

Many recent studies focused on the research of thermal treated biomass in order to replace fossil fuels. These studies improved the knowledge about pretreated lignocellulosics contribution to achieve the goal of renewable energy sources, reducing CO₂ emissions and limiting climate change. They participate in renewable energy production so that sustainable consumption and production patterns can by ensured by meeting Goals 7 and 12 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. To this end, the subject of the present study relates to the enhancement of the thermal energy content of barley straw through torrefaction. At the same time, the impact of the torrefaction process parameters, i.e., time and temperature, was investigated and kinetic models were applied in order to fit the experimental data using the severity factor, R₀, which combines the effect of the temperature and the time of the torrefaction process into a single reaction ordinate. According to the results presented herein, the maximum heating value was achieved at the most severe torrefaction conditions. Consequently, torrefied barley straw could be an alternative renewable energy source as a coal substitute or an activated carbon low cost substitute (with/without activation treatment) within the biorefinery and the circular economy concept. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 27th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2019))

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17 pages, 1317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Sustainability of Bioenergy Strategies in Western Kenya to Address Household Air Pollution

by Ricardo Luís Carvalho, Pooja Yadav, Natxo García-López, Robert Lindgren, Gert Nyberg, Rocio Diaz-Chavez, Venkata Krishna Kumar Upadhyayula, Christoffer Boman and Dimitris Athanassiadis

Energies 2020, 13(3), 719; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13030719 - 07 Feb 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3252

Abstract

Over 640 million people in Africa are expected to rely on solid-fuels for cooking by 2040. In Western Kenya, cooking inefficiently persists as a major cause of burden of disease due to household air pollution. Efficient biomass cooking is a local-based renewable energy [...] Read more.

Over 640 million people in Africa are expected to rely on solid-fuels for cooking by 2040. In Western Kenya, cooking inefficiently persists as a major cause of burden of disease due to household air pollution. Efficient biomass cooking is a local-based renewable energy solution to address this issue. The Life-Cycle Assessment tool Simapro 8.5 is applied for analyzing the environmental impact of four biomass cooking strategies for the Kisumu County, with analysis based on a previous energy modelling study, and literature and background data from the Ecoinvent and Agrifootprint databases applied to the region. A Business-As-Usual scenario (BAU) considers the trends in energy use until 2035. Transition scenarios to Improved Cookstoves (ICS), Pellet-fired Gasifier Stoves (PGS) and Biogas Stoves (BGS) consider the transition to wood-logs, biomass pellets and biogas, respectively. An Integrated (INT) scenario evaluates a mix of the ICS, PGS and BGS. In the BGS, the available biomass waste is sufficient to be upcycled and fulfill cooking demands by 2035. This scenario has the lowest impact on all impact categories analyzed followed by the PGS and INT. Further work should address a detailed socio-economic analysis of the analyzed scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 27th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2019))

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17 pages, 2177 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis and Application of Heterogeneous Catalysts Based on Heteropolyacids for 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural Production from Glucose

by Jéssica Siqueira Mancilha Nogueira, João Paulo Alves Silva, Solange I. Mussatto and Livia Melo Carneiro

Energies 2020, 13(3), 655; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13030655 - 04 Feb 2020

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2919

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the synthesis and application of heterogeneous catalysts based on heteropolyacids for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) production from glucose. Initially, assays were carried out in order to establish the most favorable catalyst synthesis conditions. For such purpose, calcination temperature (300 or [...] Read more.

This study aimed to evaluate the synthesis and application of heterogeneous catalysts based on heteropolyacids for 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) production from glucose. Initially, assays were carried out in order to establish the most favorable catalyst synthesis conditions. For such purpose, calcination temperature (300 or 500 °C), type of support (Nb₂O₅ or Al₂O₃), and active phase (H₃PW₁₂O₄₀—HPW or H₃PMo₁₂O₄₀—HPMo) were tested and combined based on Taguchi’s L₈ orthogonal array. As a result, HPW-Nb₂O₅ calcined at 300 °C was selected as it presented optimal HMF production performance (9.5% yield). Subsequently, the reaction conditions capable of maximizing HMF production from glucose using the selected catalyst were established. In these experiments, different temperatures (160 or 200 °C), acetone-to-water ratios (1:1 or 3:1 v/v), glucose concentrations (50 or 100 g/L), and catalyst concentrations (1 or 5% w/v) were evaluated according to a Taguchi’s L₁₆ experimental design. The conditions that resulted in the highest HMF yield (40.8%) consisted of using 50 g/L of glucose at 160 °C, 1:1 (v/v) acetone-to-water ratio, and catalyst concentration of 5% (w/v). Recycling tests revealed that the catalyst can be used in four runs, which results in the same HMF yield (approx. 40%). Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 27th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2019))

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20 pages, 2790 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Economic and Environmental Analysis of Small-Scale Anaerobic Digestion Plants on Irish Dairy Farms

by Sean O’Connor, Ehiaze Ehimen, Suresh C. Pillai, Gary Lyons and John Bartlett

Energies 2020, 13(3), 637; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13030637 - 03 Feb 2020

Cited by 25 | Viewed by 5318

Abstract

The European Union’s (EU) climate and energy package requires all EU countries to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20% by 2020. Based on current trends, Ireland is on track to miss this target with a projected reduction of only 5% to [...] Read more.

The European Union’s (EU) climate and energy package requires all EU countries to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 20% by 2020. Based on current trends, Ireland is on track to miss this target with a projected reduction of only 5% to 6%. The agriculture sector has consistently been the single largest contributor to Irish GHG emissions, representing 33% of all emissions in 2017. Small-scale anaerobic digestion (SSAD) holds promise as an attractive technology for the treatment of livestock manure and the organic fraction of municipal wastes, especially in low population communities or standalone waste treatment facilities. This study assesses the viability of SSAD in Ireland, by modelling the technical, economic, and environmental considerations of operating such plants on commercial Irish dairy farms. The study examines the integration of SSAD on dairy farms with various herd sizes ranging from 50 to 250 dairy cows, with co-digestion afforded by grass grown on available land. Results demonstrate feedstock quantities available on-farm to be sufficient to meet the farm’s energy needs with surplus energy exported, representing between 73% and 79% of the total energy generated. All scenarios investigated demonstrate a net CO₂ reduction ranging between 2059–173,237 kg CO₂-eq. yr⁻¹. The study found SSAD systems to be profitable within the plant’s lifespan on farms with dairy herds sizes of >100 cows (with payback periods of 8–13 years). The simulated introduction of capital subvention grants similar to other EU countries was seen to significantly lower the plant payback periods. The insights generated from this study show SSAD to be an economically sustainable method for the mitigation of GHG emissions in the Irish agriculture sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 27th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2019))

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12 pages, 2186 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Production, Characterization, and Evaluation of Pellets from Rice Harvest Residues

by Cristina Moliner, Alberto Lagazzo, Barbara Bosio, Rodolfo Botter and Elisabetta Arato

Energies 2020, 13(2), 479; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13020479 - 18 Jan 2020

Cited by 14 | Viewed by 3652

Abstract

Pellets from residues from rice harvest (i.e., straw and husk) were produced and their main properties were evaluated. Firstly, rice straw pellets were produced at lab scale at varying operational conditions (i.e., load compression and wt % of feeding moisture content) to evaluate [...] Read more.

Pellets from residues from rice harvest (i.e., straw and husk) were produced and their main properties were evaluated. Firstly, rice straw pellets were produced at lab scale at varying operational conditions (i.e., load compression and wt % of feeding moisture content) to evaluate their suitability for palletization. Successively, rice straw and husk pellets were commercially produced. All the samples were characterized in terms of their main physical, chemical, and physico-chemical properties. In addition, axial/diametral compression and durability tests were performed to assess their mechanical performance. All the analyzed properties were compared with the established quality standards for non-woody pellets. In general, rice straw pellets presented suitable properties for their use as pelletized fuels. Rice husk pellets fell out of the standards in recommended size or durability and thus preliminary treatments might be required prior their use as fuels. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 27th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2019))

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21 pages, 5892 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Feedstock-Dependent Phosphate Recovery in a Pilot-Scale Hydrothermal Liquefaction Bio-Crude Production

by Ekaterina Ovsyannikova, Andrea Kruse and Gero C. Becker

Energies 2020, 13(2), 379; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13020379 - 13 Jan 2020

Cited by 29 | Viewed by 4042

Abstract

Microalgae (Spirulina) and primary sewage sludge are considerable feedstocks for future fuel-producing biorefinery. These feedstocks have either a high fuel production potential (algae) or a particularly high appearance as waste (sludge). Both feedstocks bring high loads of nutrients (P, N) that [...] Read more.

Microalgae (Spirulina) and primary sewage sludge are considerable feedstocks for future fuel-producing biorefinery. These feedstocks have either a high fuel production potential (algae) or a particularly high appearance as waste (sludge). Both feedstocks bring high loads of nutrients (P, N) that must be addressed in sound biorefinery concepts that primarily target specific hydrocarbons, such as liquid fuels. Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL), which produces bio-crude oil that is ready for catalytic upgrading (e.g., for jet fuel), is a useful starting point for such an approach. As technology advances from small-scale batches to pilot-scale continuous operations, the aspect of nutrient recovery must be reconsidered. This research presents a full analysis of relevant nutrient flows between the product phases of HTL for the two aforementioned feedstocks on the basis of pilot-scale data. From a partial experimentally derived mass balance, initial strategies for recovering the most relevant nutrients (P, N) were developed and proofed in laboratory-scale. The experimental and theoretical data from the pilot and laboratory scales are combined to present the proof of concept and provide the first mass balances of an HTL-based biorefinery modular operation for producing fertilizer (struvite) as a value-added product. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 27th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2019))

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20 pages, 1083 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of pH on the Combustion Properties of Bio-Coal Following Hydrothermal Treatment of Swine Manure

by Aidan Mark Smith, Ugochinyere Ekpo and Andrew Barry Ross

Energies 2020, 13(2), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13020331 - 09 Jan 2020

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3679

Abstract

The application of excessive amounts of manure to soil prompted interest in using alternative approaches for treating slurry. One promising technology is hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) which can recover nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen while simultaneously making a solid fuel. Processing manure under [...] Read more.

The application of excessive amounts of manure to soil prompted interest in using alternative approaches for treating slurry. One promising technology is hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC) which can recover nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen while simultaneously making a solid fuel. Processing manure under acidic conditions can facilitate nutrient recovery; however, very few studies considered the implications of operating at low pH on the combustion properties of the resulting bio-coal. In this work, swine manure was hydrothermally treated at temperatures ranging from 120 to 250 °C in either water alone or reagents including 0.1 M NaOH, 0.1 M H₂SO₄, and finally 0.1 M organic acid (CH₃COOH and HCOOH). The influence of pH on the HTC process and the combustion properties of the resulting bio-coals was assessed. The results indicate that pH has a strong influence on ash chemistry, with decreasing pH resulting in an increased removal of ash. The reduction in mineral matter influences the volatile content of the bio-coal and its energy content. As the ash content in the final bio-coal reduces, the energy density increases. Treatment at 250 °C results in a more “coal like” bio-coal with fuel properties similar to that of lignite coal and a higher heating value (HHV) ranging between 21 and 23 MJ/kg depending on pH. Processing at low pH results in favourable ash chemistry in terms of slagging and fouling. Operating at low pH also appears to influence the level of dehydration during HTC. The level of dehydration increases with decreasing pH, although this effect is reduced at higher temperatures. At higher-temperature processing (250 °C), operating at lower pH increases the yield of bio-coal; however, at lower temperatures (below 200 °C), the reverse is true. The lower yields obtained below 200 °C in the presence of acid may be due to acid hydrolysis of carbohydrate in the manure, whereas, at the higher temperatures, it may be due to the acid promoting polymerisation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 27th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2019))

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25 pages, 3132 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Marginal Agricultural Land Low-Input Systems for Biomass Production

by Moritz Von Cossel, Iris Lewandowski, Berien Elbersen, Igor Staritsky, Michiel Van Eupen, Yasir Iqbal, Stefan Mantel, Danilo Scordia, Giorgio Testa, Salvatore Luciano Cosentino, Oksana Maliarenko, Ioannis Eleftheriadis, Federica Zanetti, Andrea Monti, Dagnija Lazdina, Santa Neimane, Isabelle Lamy, Lisa Ciadamidaro, Marina Sanz, Juan Esteban Carrasco, Pilar Ciria, Ian McCallum, Luisa M. Trindade, Eibertus N. Van Loo, Wolter Elbersen, Ana Luisa Fernando, Eleni G. Papazoglou and Efthymia Alexopoulou Show full author list Hide full author list

Energies 2019, 12(16), 3123; https://doi.org/10.3390/en12163123 - 14 Aug 2019

Cited by 136 | Viewed by 10088

Abstract

This study deals with approaches for a social-ecological friendly European bioeconomy based on biomass from industrial crops cultivated on marginal agricultural land. The selected crops to be investigated are: Biomass sorghum, camelina, cardoon, castor, crambe, Ethiopian mustard, giant reed, hemp, lupin, miscanthus, pennycress, [...] Read more.

This study deals with approaches for a social-ecological friendly European bioeconomy based on biomass from industrial crops cultivated on marginal agricultural land. The selected crops to be investigated are: Biomass sorghum, camelina, cardoon, castor, crambe, Ethiopian mustard, giant reed, hemp, lupin, miscanthus, pennycress, poplar, reed canary grass, safflower, Siberian elm, switchgrass, tall wheatgrass, wild sugarcane, and willow. The research question focused on the overall crop growth suitability under low-input management. The study assessed: (i) How the growth suitability of industrial crops can be defined under the given natural constraints of European marginal agricultural lands; and (ii) which agricultural practices are required for marginal agricultural land low-input systems (MALLIS). For the growth-suitability analysis, available thresholds and growth requirements of the selected industrial crops were defined. The marginal agricultural land was categorized according to the agro-ecological zone (AEZ) concept in combination with the marginality constraints, so-called ‘marginal agro-ecological zones’ (M-AEZ). It was found that both large marginal agricultural areas and numerous agricultural practices are available for industrial crop cultivation on European marginal agricultural lands. These results help to further describe the suitability of industrial crops for the development of social-ecologically friendly MALLIS in Europe. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from 27th European Biomass Conference & Exhibition (EUBCE 2019))

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