CELLULOSIC BIOMASS: Part 2 - Redesigning Crops for Biofuel and Bioproducts

This two part series goes inside Canada's fledgling biofuel industry and explores the ground breaking research of the Canadian Cellulosic Biofuel Network as it paves the way to a cleaner, brighter future. Part one examines the work of CBioN researchers as they find new ways to extract plant sugars at the cellular level. Part two looks at how plant scientists are redesigning biomass crops to withstand harsh climates and poor growing conditions. These new varieties will help farmers generate extra income by growing feedstocks for the emerging biofuel industry.

[@PelHeatShorts]

One potential method of economical biomass transportation to the cellulosic plant is for local farmers to setup a co-operative where they have a small pellet plant where they bring their biomass and these pellets are then economically transported to the cellulosic plant.

[@kwasiOwusu2]

good suggestion. Thank you

[@lordsamich755]

The energy input to make pellets is significant. By my calculations pelletisation works if your burning your own biomass to run the pelleting mill. Pelletisation consumes about 8% of the combustion energy contained in the pellet. By contrast using high value energy (electricity) to densify low value fuel (pellets), was about $40 per ton for something that can only sell for about $100 per ton.
The way to move lots of biomass cheaply is simply by train from the farm gate. That's how the sugar cane industry does it, believe me they've got that side of things worked out.
When it come to farms they already have a much more efficient means of balling loose fiber... It's called a Hay Bailler. Any farm that sells excess silage will already have all of this equiptment:
czcams.com/video/RfhErSriDzw/video.html
czcams.com/video/QVsjsXLw9zg/video.html

[@Adamjs2134]

When people start distilling it and making it work with more powerful engines, the amount of jobs that will come out of the industry will be awesome. I say grow it and distil it your self then sell it to the big transport companies for half the price they pay for gasoline.