Switchgrass - anyone else heard anything on this?

[Marv]

My uncle from Nashville sent my Dad an article on this the other day. I found it pretty interesting that it's possible it can be used to produce methanol and maybe used as a biofuel. Sounds like some folks are making good money for growing this for research.

I think it's a long way out from being useable, but I guess you can add it to the list of "possibilities".

Anyone else heard anything about it?

[Clay]

i think it will take the place of corn for making ethenol...not bio...that is "i think"

[Marv]

i think it will take the place of corn for making ethenol...not bio...that is "i think"

That's what I hearing as well. At least that's the long term goal. The article I read said there are a number of benefits to using it over corn - it grows back every year, less maintenance of the "crop", more inherent ethanol (I think), etc.

And I agree, I don't think they meant bio as in biodiesel, but I could be wrong. I think they labeled it a "Biofuel"...confusing wording perhaps.

[HORSEMOVER]

I have a buddy that planted some a few years back (about 125 acres I believe). He spent a considerable amount of $ preparing the field and planting it. I think he told me that he got some return on his investment by harvesting the seed and selling to a seed company. In theory they are supposed to be able to bail up the switch grass and sell it for alternative fuel use but I don't think that has happened yet (last I remember it was still just be brush-hogged off). I will have to check with him and get an update.

[Marv]

I have a buddy that planted some a few years back (about 125 acres I believe). He spent a considerable amount of $ preparing the field and planting it. I think he told me that he got some return on his investment by harvesting the seed and selling to a seed company. In theory they are supposed to be able to bail up the switch grass and sell it for alternative fuel use but I don't think that has happened yet (last I remember it was still just be brush-hogged off). I will have to check with him and get an update.

When you find out, let us know. I'd be interested in hearing how that worked out for him.

I actually saw some pictures of switchgrass today where it was over 12 feet tall. Wouldn't have guessed it could get that big!

[greasyX]

Think BIGGER,This is something to think about,but on the waste side.An associate of mine and myself are working on this,but as grass clippings he is being paid to take than generating syn gas chamber,processing grass,removing 100 gallons of ethanol per ton,then selling the waste product for compost.That is getting paid three times for "1 product".I would tell you the logistics,but still waiting for patent # sorry......................greasy.

[Jack_Toepfer]

100 gallons of ethanol per ton...............greasy.

Holy Crap thats a lot of ethanol.

Switch grass, if I recall, can also be grown just about anywhere... which makes it possibly to grow where corn will not.

[Jed196]

Heres a twist, sorry for the slight chage in topic.

Have you guys heard much about algea as feedstock for biofuels. Its pretty cool, no food competition, grows in a tank and can grow year round. has to have a down side....Still researching the "BUT".

[Clay]

Heres a twist, sorry for the slight chage in topic.

Have you guys heard much about algea as feedstock for biofuels. Its pretty cool, no food competition, grows in a tank and can grow year round. has to have a down side....Still researching the "BUT".

no downside that i have heard as of yet...its all good and this i believe is the key to biofuel/biodiesel production in the US and around the world as well.

[Marv]

Heres a twist, sorry for the slight chage in topic.

Have you guys heard much about algea as feedstock for biofuels. Its pretty cool, no food competition, grows in a tank and can grow year round. has to have a down side....Still researching the "BUT".

I may be wrong, but wasn't Jason or James talking about algea the other day? Seems like they have been researching it as well...

[Clay]

I may be wrong, but wasn't Jason or James talking about algea the other day? Seems like they have been researching it as well...

that is correct....

[Jack_Toepfer]

As far as the algea goes... they are 95-98% water.

As with anything... until the process is refined, it is not cost effective to use the algea to make biodiesel or oil in general at this point. Only time will tell if it is a long term solution. I'm all for it.

[Clay]

What does water have to do with cost effectiveness...the algea produces lipids - vegi oil - at a high, high rate. Needing the water to grow it is the main issue but in a greanhouse situation, evaporation can be controlled and stopped basically.

[Marv]

...the algea produces lipids - vegi oil - at a high, high rate...

Ok, now I remember the connection. The lipids are key to the process...

I was trying to find the post where it was discussed before, but couldn't.

[greasyX]

I forget where I read,but in Europe they "Float" WVO ontop of old Farm ponds,and then grow algae on top of it, this approach with format the algae atomic structure by Osmosis,quicker than the cookie sheet in the desesrt approach.Just my 2cents.US army corp of Engineering Labs is Building Petre dish "Diesel" this way,check that lead....greasy