U.S. patent application number 12/252652 was filed with the patent office on 2009-05-28 for method for producing a bio-fuel.
Invention is credited to Glenn Johnson.
Application Number | 20090133321 12/252652 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40668538 |
Filed Date | 2009-05-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090133321 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Johnson; Glenn |
May 28, 2009 |
METHOD FOR PRODUCING A BIO-FUEL
Abstract
A method for producing a bio-fuel may include selecting a first
and a second plant species such that the second plant species, when
grown together in competition with the first plant species, causes
a BTU value of the first plant species to increase above a range of
BTU values that the first plant species has when grown alone. The
method may further include planting a combination of the first and
second plant species together in competition, harvesting the
combination of the first and second plant species when sufficiently
mature, and processing the harvested combination of the first and
second plant species to produce the bio-fuel.
Inventors: |
Johnson; Glenn; (Fort Wayne,
IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARNES & THORNBURG LLP
11 SOUTH MERIDIAN
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204
US
|
Family ID: |
40668538 |
Appl. No.: |
12/252652 |
Filed: |
October 16, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60982044 |
Oct 23, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
44/307 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C10L 1/026 20130101;
C10L 5/366 20130101; Y02E 50/30 20130101; Y02E 50/10 20130101; C10L
5/363 20130101; A01H 3/00 20130101; C10L 5/445 20130101; Y02P 30/20
20151101; C10L 1/02 20130101; Y02E 50/13 20130101; C10G 2300/1014
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
44/307 |
International
Class: |
C10L 1/18 20060101
C10L001/18 |
Claims
1. A method for producing a bio-fuel comprising: selecting a first
and a second plant species such that the second plant species, when
grown together in competition with the first plant species, causes
a BTU value of the first plant species to increase above a range of
BTU values that the first plant species has when grown alone,
planting a combination of the first and second plant species
together in competition, harvesting the combination of the first
and second plant species when sufficiently mature, and processing
the harvested combination of the first and second plant species to
produce the bio-fuel.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the first plant species has a
lignin content, and wherein the second plant species causes the BTU
value of the first plant species to increase by causing the first
plant species to grow with greater lignin content than when grown
alone.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the lignin content of the first
plant species varies as a function of a size of the first plant
species, and wherein the second plant species is a catalytic plant
species that, when grown together in competition with the first
plant species, causes the first plant species to grow larger than
when grown alone so that the lignin content of the first plant
species correspondingly increases.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the first plant species is
ambrosia trifida.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the second plant species is a
tall-growing, high-lignin one or a combination of a corn species
and a sorghum species.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the second plant species is one or
a combination of a G family, an E series and a tropical corn series
hybrid corn species and a number 1506 hybrid sorghum species.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein planting a combination of the
first and second plant species further comprises planting ambrosia
artemisiifolia along with the first and second plant species such
that a resulting combination comprises ambrosia trifida, a
tall-growing, high-lignin one or a combination of a corn species
and a sorghum species and ambrosia artemisiifolia, and wherein
harvesting comprises harvesting the resulting combination when
sufficiently mature.
8. The method of claim 5 further comprising carrying out the
selecting, the planting and the harvesting events at least twice in
a single growing season.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the second plant species for a
first one of the selecting, the growing and the harvesting events
is the tall-growing, high-lignin corn species, and wherein the
second plant species for a second one of the selecting, the growing
and the harvesting events is the tall-growing, high-lignin sorghum
species.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting the second
plant species to have a BTU value that is within a predefined range
of BTU values.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the predefined range of BTU
values is greater than or equal to the range of BTU values of the
first plant species.
12. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting either of
the first and second plant species to have resistance to root
pests.
13. The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting either of
the first and second plant species to have resistance to at least
one of corn borer insects and stalk-boring insects.
14. The method of claim 1 wherein harvesting comprises cutting the
combination of the first and second plant species at a
predetermined height above the ground, the predetermined height
being selected to minimize at least one of dirt spatter and silicon
dioxide on the cut combination of the first and second plant
species.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein harvesting further comprises
reducing the cut combination of the first and second plant species
to smaller pieces.
16. The method of claim 1 wherein planting a combination of the
first and second plant species further comprises planting a third
plant species along with the first and second plant species such
that a resulting combination comprises the first, second and third
plant species, the third plant species being selected to at least
temporarily supplement one of the first and second plant species,
and wherein harvesting comprises harvesting the resulting
combination when sufficiently mature.
17. The method of claim 1 wherein processing comprises processing
the harvested combination to produce the bio-fuel in any of a
solid, a powder and a pellet form.
18. The method of claim 1 wherein processing comprises: processing
the harvested combination to produce a bio-mass, and processing the
bio-mass to produce any of ethanol, bio-diesel fuel, bio-gas,
bio-oil, solid bio-fuel, powdered bio-fuel and pelletized
bio-fuel.
19. The method of claim 4 further comprising: mixing additional
phosphorus with a base fertilizer to form a modified fertilizer,
and fertilizing the planted ambrosia trifida with the modified
fertilizer.
20. The method of claim 19 wherein the base fertilizer is a
nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer.
21. The method of claim 19 wherein the second plant species is
ambrosia artemisiifolia.
22. The method of claim 1 wherein the first plant species is a
species of Amaranthus.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein the species of Amaranthus
comprises Amaranthus rudis.
24. The method of claim 22 wherein the species of Amaranthus
comprises Amaranthus hybridus.
25. The method of claim 22 wherein the species of Amaranthus
comprises Amaranthus retroflexus.
26. The method of claim 22 further comprising: mixing additional
phosphorus with a base fertilizer to form a modified fertilizer,
and fertilizing the species of Amaranthus with the modified
fertilizer.
27. The method of claim 26 wherein the base fertilizer is a
nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer.
28. The method of claim 22 wherein the second plant species
comprises at least one of Ambrosia trifida and Ambrosia
artemisiifolia.
29. The method of claim 22 wherein the second plant species
comprises at least one of a corn species and a sorghum species.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 60/982,044, filed Oct. 23, 2007, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference,
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to methods for
producing a bio-fuel, and more specifically to methods for
producing a biomass that forms the bio-fuel or from which the
bio-fuel may be derived.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Agricultural plants are known to have various physical
characteristics and properties. It is desirable to select and plant
one or more plant species in a manner that achieves one or more
desired bio-fuel production and/or performance goals.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention may comprise one or more of the
features recited in the attached claims, and/or one or more of the
following features and combinations thereof. A method for producing
a bio-fuel may comprise selecting a first and a second plant
species such that the second plant species, when grown together in
competition with the first plant species, causes a BTU value of the
first plant species to increase above a range of BTU values that
the first plant species has when grown alone, planting a
combination of the first and second plant species together in
competition, harvesting the combination of the first and second
plant species when sufficiently mature, and processing the
harvested combination of the first and second plant species to
produce the bio-fuel.
[0005] The first plant species may have a lignin content. The
second plant species may cause the BTU value of the first plant
species to increase by causing the first plant species to grow with
greater lignin content than when grown alone. The lignin content of
the first plant species varies as a function of a size of the first
plant species. The second plant species may be a catalytic plant
species that, when grown together in competition with the first
plant species, causes the first plant species to grow larger than
when grown alone so that the lignin content of the first plant
species correspondingly increases. The first plant species may be
ambrosia trifida. The second plant species may be a tall-growing,
high-lignin one or a combination of a corn species and a sorghum
species. For example, the second plant species may be one or a
combination of a G family, an E series and a tropical corn series
hybrid corn species and a number 1506 hybrid sorghum species.
Planting a combination of the first and second plant species may
further comprise planting ambrosia artemisiifolia along with the
first and second plant species such that a resulting combination
comprises ambrosia trifida, a tall-growing, high-lignin one or a
combination of a corn species and a sorghum species and ambrosia
artemisiifolia. Harvesting may comprise harvesting the resulting
combination when sufficiently mature. The method may further
comprise carrying out the selecting, the planting and the
harvesting events at least twice in a single growing season. The
second plant species for a first one of the selecting, the growing
and the harvesting events may be the tall-growing, high-lignin corn
species. The second plant species for a second one of the
selecting, the growing and the harvesting events may be the
tall-growing, high-lignin sorghum species.
[0006] The method may further comprise selecting the second plant
species to have a BTU value that is within a predefined range of
BTU values. The predefined range of BTU values may be greater than
or equal to the range of BTU values of the first plant species.
[0007] The method may further comprise selecting either of the
first and second plant species to have resistance to root
pests.
[0008] The method may further comprise selecting either of the
first and second plant species to have resistance to corn borer
insects and/or to stalk-boring insects.
[0009] Harvesting may comprise cutting the combination of the first
and second plant species at a predetermined height above the
ground. The predetermined height may be selected to minimize dirt
spatter and/or silicon dioxide on the cut combination of the first
and second plant species. Harvesting further comprises reducing the
cut combination of the first and second plant species to smaller
pieces.
[0010] Planting a combination of the first and second plant species
may further comprise planting a third plant species along with the
first and second plant species such that a resulting combination
comprises the first, second and third plant species. The third
plant species may be selected to at least temporarily supplement
one of the first and second plant species. Harvesting may comprise
harvesting the resulting combination when sufficiently mature.
Harvesting may further comprise cutting the resulting combination
of the first, second plant and third species at a predetermined
height above the ground. The predetermined height may be selected
to minimize dirt spatter and/or silicon dioxide on the cut
combination of the first, second and third plant species.
Harvesting may further comprise reducing the cut combination of the
first, second and third plant species to smaller pieces.
[0011] Processing may comprise processing the harvested combination
to produce the bio-fuel in any of a solid, a powder and a pellet
form. Alternatively or additionally, processing may comprise
processing the harvested combination to produce a bio-mass, and
processing the bio-mass to produce any of ethanol, bio-diesel fuel,
bio-gas, bio-oil, solid bio-fuel, powder bio-fuel and pelletized
bio-fuel.
[0012] A method for producing a bio-fuel may comprise selecting a
first and a second plant species such that the second plant
species, when grown together in competition with the first plant
species, causes the first plant species to grow larger, so that the
first plant species produces a greater yield, than when grown
alone, planting a combination of the first and second plant species
together in competition, harvesting the combination of the first
and second plant species when sufficiently mature, and processing
the harvested combination of the first and second plant species to
produce the bio-fuel.
[0013] The first and second plant species may be selected such that
the second plant species, when grown together in competition with
the first plant species, causes the first plant species to grow
taller than when grown alone. The first plant species may be
ambrosia trifida. The second plant species may be a tall-growing,
high-lignin one or a combination of a corn species and a sorghum
species. For example, the second plant species may be one or a
combination of a G family, an E series and a tropical corn series
hybrid corn species and a number 1506 hybrid sorghum species.
Planting a combination of the first and second plant species may
further comprise planting ambrosia artemisiifolia along with the
first and second plant species such that a resulting combination
comprises ambrosia trifida, a tall-growing, high-lignin one or a
combination of a corn species and a sorghum species and ambrosia
artemisiifolia. Harvesting may comprise harvesting the resulting
combination when sufficiently mature. The method may further
comprise carrying out the selecting, the planting and the
harvesting events twice in a single growing season. The second
plant species for a first one of the selecting, the growing and the
harvesting events may be the tall-growing, high-lignin corn
species. The second plant species for a second one of the
selecting, the growing and the harvesting events may be the
tall-growing, high-lignin sorghum species.
[0014] The first and second plant species may be selected such that
the second plant species, when grown together in competition with
the first plant species, causes the first plant species to grow
larger by growing generally the same height but with greater weight
than when grown alone.
[0015] The first plant species may further be selected to have a
BTU value that is within a first range of BTU values. The second
plant species may further be selected to have a BTU value that is
within a second range of BTU values. The second range of BTU values
may be greater than or equal to the first range of BTU values. The
first and second plant species may further be selected such that,
when grown together, the second plant species causes the first
plant species to have a BTU value that is greater than the first
range of BTU values.
[0016] The second plant species may further be selected such that,
when grown together in competition with the first plant species,
the second plant species also grows larger than when grown alone so
that the combination of the first plant species produces a greater
yield than when grown alone,
[0017] The method may further comprise selecting either of the
first and second plant species to have resistance to root
pests.
[0018] Alternatively or additionally, the method may further
comprise selecting either or both of the first and second plant
species to have resistance to corn borer insects and/or to
stalk-boring insects.
[0019] Harvesting may comprise cutting the combination of the first
and second plant species at a predetermined height above the
ground. The predetermined height may be selected to minimize dirt
spatter and/or silicon dioxide on the cut combination of the first
and second plant species. Harvesting may further comprise reducing
the cut combination of the first and second plant species to
smaller pieces.
[0020] Planting a combination of the first and second plant species
may further comprise planting a third plant species along with the
first and second plant species such that a resulting combination
comprises the first, second and third plant species. The third
plant species may be selected to at least temporarily supplement
one of the first and second plant species. Harvesting may comprise
harvesting the resulting combination when sufficiently mature.
[0021] Harvesting may comprise cutting the resulting combination of
the first, second plant and third species at a predetermined height
above the ground. The predetermined height may be selected to
minimize dirt spatter and/or silicon dioxide on the cut combination
of the first, second and third plant species. Harvesting may
further comprise reducing the cut combination of the first, second
and third plant species to smaller pieces.
[0022] Processing may comprise processing the harvested combination
to produce the bio-fuel in any of a solid, a powder and a pellet
form. Alternatively or additionally, processing may comprise
processing the harvested combination to produce a bio-mass, and
processing the bio-mass to produce any of ethanol, bio-diesel fuel,
bio-gas, bio-oil, solid bio-fuel, powder bio-fuel and pelletized
bio-fuel.
[0023] A method for producing a bio-fuel may comprise planting a
species of Amaranthus on one or more parcels of land, mixing
additional phosphorus with a base fertilizer to form a modified
fertilizer, fertilizing the planted Amaranthus with the modified
fertilizer, harvesting the fertilized Amaranthus when sufficiently
mature, and processing the harvested Amaranthus to produce the
bio-fuel.
[0024] The base fertilizer may be a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium
fertilizer.
[0025] Planting a species of Amaranthus may comprise planting
Amaranthus rudis. Alternatively or additionally, planting a species
of Amaranthus may comprise planting Amaranthus hybridus.
Alternatively or additionally, planting a species of Amaranthus may
comprise planting Amaranthus retroflexus.
[0026] The method may further comprise carrying out the planting,
mixing, fertilizing and harvesting events at least twice in a
single growing season.
[0027] The method may further comprise carrying out the mixing,
fertilizing and harvesting events at least twice in a single
growing season.
[0028] Harvesting may comprise cutting the species of amaranthus at
a predetermined height above the ground. The predetermined height
may be selected to minimize at least one of dirt spatter and
silicon dioxide on the cut species of Amaranthus. Harvesting may
further comprise reducing the cut species of Amaranthus to smaller
pieces.
[0029] Processing may comprise processing the harvested species of
Amaranthus to produce the bio-fuel in any of a solid, a powder and
a pellet form. Alternatively or additionally, processing may
comprise processing the harvested species of Amaranthus to produce
a bio-mass, and processing the bio-mass to produce any of ethanol,
bio-diesel fuel, bio-gas, bio-oil, solid bio-fuel, powdered
bio-fuel and pelletized bio-fuel.
[0030] A method for producing a bio-fuel may comprise planting a
first plant species on a first parcel of land, planting a second
plant species on a second parcel of land, harvesting the first
plant species when sufficiently mature, harvesting the second plant
species when sufficiently mature, and processing a combination of
the harvested first and second plant species to produce the
bio-fuel.
[0031] The method may further comprise mixing additional phosphorus
with a base fertilizer to form a modified fertilizer, and
fertilizing at least one of the planted first plant species and the
planted second plant species with the modified fertilizer. The base
fertilizer may be a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium fertilizer.
[0032] Harvesting may comprise cutting each of the first plant
species and the second plant species at a predetermined height
above the ground. The predetermined height may be selected to
minimize at least one of dirt spatter and silicon dioxide on the
cut first and second plant species.
[0033] Harvesting may further comprise reducing the cut first plant
species to smaller pieces and reducing the cut second plant species
to smaller pieces.
[0034] Processing may comprise processing the harvested first and
second plant species to produce the bio-fuel in any of a solid, a
powder and a pellet form. Alternatively or additionally, processing
may comprise processing the harvested first and second plant
species to produce a bio-mass, and processing the bio-mass to
produce any of ethanol, bio-diesel fuel, bio-gas, bio-oil, solid
bio-fuel, powdered bio-fuel and pelletized bio-fuel.
[0035] The method may further comprise planting a third plant
species on a third parcel of land, and harvesting the third plant
species when sufficiently mature. Processing may comprise
processing a combination of the harvested first, second and third
plant species to produce the bio-fuel. The first plant species may
comprises at least one of Amaranthus rudis, Amaranthus hybrid us
and Amaranthus retroflexus, the second plant species may comprise
at least one of Ambrosia trifida and Ambrosia artemisiifolia, and
the third plant species may comprise at least one of a corn species
and a sorghum species.
[0036] In any of the embodiments including at least first and
second plant species, the first plant species may comprise at least
one of Amaranthus rudis, Amaranthus hybridus and Amaranthus
retroflexus, and the second plant species may comprise at least one
of Ambrosia trifida and Ambrosia artemisiifolia. Alternatively, the
first plant species may comprise at least one of Ambrosia trifida
and Ambrosia artemisiifolia, and the second plant species may
comprise at least one of Amaranthus rudis, Amaranthus hybridus and
Amaranthus retroflexus. Alternatively still, the first plant
species may comprise at least one of Amaranthus rudis, Amaranthus
hybridus and Amaranthus retroflexus, and the second plant species
may comprise at least one of a corn species and a sorghum species.
Alternatively still, the first plant species may comprise at least
one of Ambrosia trifida and Ambrosia artemisiifolia, and the second
plant species may comprise at least one of a corn species and a
sorghum species.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1 is a flowchart of one illustrative process for
producing a bio-fuel.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of one illustrative embodiment of the
harvesting event of the process illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0039] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of another illustrative process for
producing a bio-fuel.
[0040] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of another illustrative process for
producing a bio-fuel.
DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS
[0041] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to a number
of illustrative embodiments shown in the attached drawings and
specific language will be used to describe the same.
[0042] Referring now to FIG. 1, a flowchart of one illustrative
process 100 for producing a bio-fuel is shown. For purposes of this
disclosure, the term bio-fuel is defined as a solid, liquid or gas
fuel consisting of, or derived from, biomass, wherein the term
biomass is defined as plant and/or animal matter and/or
biodegradable waste that can be burnt as fuel.
[0043] The process 100 begins at step 102 where first and second
plant species are selected which, when grown together in
competition, achieve one or more desired bio-fuel production and/or
performance goals. For purposes of this disclosure, first and
second plant species are "grown together in competition" by being
grown interspersed with each other on a common plot of land such
that each competes with the other for one or more of the same
sunlight, shade, water, fertilizer and the like. One example of a
desired bio-fuel production goal is increased yield, i.e., yield of
the resulting biomass product, over the yield that would otherwise
be achieved by growing the two plant species alone, i.e.,
separately. Those skilled in the art will recognize other desired
bio-fuel production goals, and such other desired bio-fuel
production goals are contemplated by this disclosure. One example
of a desired bio-fuel performance goal is increased BTU value of
the first and/or second plant species over the BTU value otherwise
associated with the corresponding first and/or second plant species
when grown alone, i.e., separately. Those skilled in the art will
recognize other desired bio-fuel performance goals, and such other
desired bio-fuel performance goals are contemplated by this
disclosure.
[0044] It will be understood that the example bio-fuel production
and performance goals given above may be achievable together or
separately through appropriate selection of plant species. For
example, the first and second plant species may be selected such
that the second plant species, when grown together in competition
with the first plant species, causes a BTU value of the first
and/or second plant species to increase above a range of BTU values
that the corresponding first and/or second plant species has when
grown alone. This may illustratively be accomplished by selecting
the first and second plant species such that the second plant
species, when grown together in competition with the first plant
species, causes the lignin content of the first species to increase
above that which it would otherwise be when grown alone. Increasing
the lignin content of the first plant species may be accomplished,
for example, by selecting the first and second plant species such
that the second plant species, when planted together in competition
with the first plant species, causes the first plant species to
grow larger than when grown alone. For purposes of this disclosure,
the phrase "grow larger than when grown alone" means either or both
of being grown taller than when grown alone and being grown with
stalks/branches having greater girth such that the plant generally
grows the same height as when grown alone, but with more weight
than when grown along due to the greater girth of the stalks and/or
branches. Of course, selecting the first and second plant species
such that the second plant species, when planted together in
competition with the first plant species, causes the first plant
species to grow larger than when grown alone will also achieve the
example bio-fuel production goal of increasing the yield of the
first plant species and, therefore, the yield of the biomass
product. Thus, selecting the first and second plant species such
that the second plant species, when planted together in competition
with the first plant species, causes the first plant species to
have an increased BTU value due to increased lignin as a result of
growing larger than when grown alone, achieves both the bio-fuel
performance goal of increased BTU value and the bio-fuel production
goal of increased yield. It should be understood, however, that
selecting the first and second plant species such that the second
plant species, when gown together in competition with the first
plant species, may increase the BTU value of the first plant
species by increasing its lignin content, but need not also cause
either plant species to grow larger, or otherwise increase the
yield of the resulting biomass product, than when grown alone.
Likewise, selecting the first and second plant species such that
the second plant species, when gown together in competition with
the first plant species, may increase the yield of the biomass
product by causing the first and/or second plant species to grow
larger than when grown alone, but need not also increase the lignin
content, or otherwise increase the BTU value, of either plant
species.
[0045] The process 100 may include an optional step 104, as shown
in phantom in FIG. 1, in which a third plant species is selected
that at least temporarily supplements the first and/or second plant
species. An example of one such third plant species will be
provided hereinafter.
[0046] The process 100 may further include another optional step
106 that follows step 102 in embodiments that do not include step
104, and that follows step 104 in embodiments that do include step
104. In any case, at step 106 the first, second and/or third plant
species is/are further selected to have one or more specified
characteristics. For example, the first, second and/or third plant
species may be further selected such that the first, second and/or
third plant species and/or resulting biomass product has/have one
or more burning characteristics such as limited burn emissions, one
or more post-burn ash characteristics, or the like. As another
example, the first, second and/or third plant species may be
further selected such that the first, second and/or third plant
species has/have one or more specified growing characteristics such
as drought resistance, resistance to root pests, resistance to
insects, e.g., corn bore insects, stalk-boring insects,
sunlight/shade preference, water amount/frequency requirements,
growth enhancement and/or grown plant property enhancement
resulting from one or more specific fertilizer components, and the
like. As yet another example, the first, second and/or third plant
species may further be selected such that the first, second and/or
third plant species and/or resulting biomass product, has/have one
or more inherent properties such as BTU value or range of values,
burn emissions content, post-burn ash content, e.g., nutrient
content, and the like. Those skilled in the art will recognize
other criteria for further selecting the first, second and/or third
plant species, and any such other plant species selection criteria
are contemplated by this disclosure.
[0047] From step 102 in embodiments that do not include steps 104
and/or 106, or from either of steps 104 and 106 in embodiments that
include these steps, the process 100 advances to step 108. At step
108, the first and second plant species that were selected at step
102, and possibly further at step 106, or the first, second and
third plant species that were selected at steps 102 and 104, and
possibly further at step 106, are planted together in competition.
More specifically, at step 108, the first and second plant species,
or alternatively the first, second and third plant species, are
planted interspersed together on a common plot of land as described
hereinabove. Illustratively, although not specifically illustrated
in FIG. 1, the process 100 may include an additional step in which
the first and second, or the first, second and third, plant species
are fertilized with a selected fertilizer. For example, a base
fertilizer may be used in which phosphorus is added to increase the
phosphorus content of the base fertilizer. The base fertilizer may
be, for example, a conventional nitrogen-potassium-phosphorus
fertilizer. In any case, thereafter at step 110, the combination of
plant species, e.g., the combination of the first and second plant
species, or alternatively the combination of the first, second and
third plant species, are harvested to produce biomass when they are
sufficiently mature. Thereafter at step 112, the harvested
combination of plant species is processed to produce a bio-fuel. In
one embodiment, the harvested combination of plant species is
processed at step 112 to produce biomass in the form of the
bio-fuel itself. For example, the biomass may be produced at step
112 in any one or more of a solid, a powder and a pellet form that
can be burned directly as bio-fuel. Some examples of systems for
processing a harvested combination of plant species into a solid,
powder and/or pellet form of a burnable bio-fuel are described in
co-pending patent application Ser. No. 11/562,643, the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference. Any such system may
be further modified to include one or more grinding
steps/apparatuses, more or fewer mixing steps/apparatuses and/or
more or fewer drying steps/apparatuses. For example, it is
desirable to maintain the moisture content of the completed and/or
partially completed bio-fuel less than a threshold moisture
content, e.g., 10% or less, to avoid spontaneous combustion. In an
alternative embodiment, in any case, the harvested combination of
plant species is processed at step 112 to produce a biomass from
which the bio-fuel may be derived according to one or more known
processes. In this embodiment, for example, the biomass may be
further processed at step 112, using one or more known biomass
processing techniques, to produce any of ethanol, bio-diesel fuel,
bio-gas, bio-oil, solid bio-fuel, powder bio-fuel and pelletized
bio-fuel. Those skilled in the art may recognize other forms of
bio-fuel that may be formed or derived from the harvested
combination of plant species, and any such other forms of bio-fuel
are contemplated by this disclosure.
[0048] In one embodiment, the process 100 advances from step 112 to
step 114 where the process 100 ends. In an alternate embodiment,
the process 100 may loop from step 112 directly to step 108 as
shown in FIG. 1 by a corresponding one of the dashed-line arrows.
In this embodiment, the steps 108, 110 and 112 may be repeated any
number of times, which may be interpreted as planting the first and
second (and, in some embodiments, third) plant species in any
number of locations during a single growing season, or
alternatively as planting the first and second (and, in some
embodiments, third) plant species at any single location some
number of times, e.g., twice, during a single growing season. In
another alternate embodiment, the process 100 may include another
optional step 116, and the process 100 may advance in this
embodiment from step 112 to step 116 where a substitute plant
species may be selected for any one or more of the first, second
and third plant species. Following step 116, the process 100 loops
back to step 108. In this embodiment, as with the previous
embodiment, the steps 108, 110 and 112 may be repeated any number
of times, and with each repetition of steps 108, 110 and 112 one or
more of the first, second (and, in some embodiments, third) plant
species may be replaced with a substitute plant species. Also as
with the previous embodiment, the phrase "repeated any number of
times" may be interpreted as planting the plant species in any
number of locations during a single growing season, or
alternatively as planting the plant species at any single location
some number of times, e.g., twice, during a single growing
season.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 2, a flowchart is shown of one
illustrative embodiment of a process for carrying out step 110 of
the process 100 of FIG. 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the
process of FIG. 2 begins at step 120 where the combination of plant
species planted at step 108, i.e., the first and second plant
species (and, in some embodiments, the third plant species), is cut
at a predefined height above the ground. Illustratively, the
predetermined height is selected to minimize dirt spatter on the
cut combination of the first and second plant species resulting
from rain and/or other watering of the combination of plant species
and/or to minimize silicon dioxide on the cut combination of plant
species resulting from spattering of dirt from rain and/or other
watering, after which the stalk of the plant at least partially
grows over the dirt spatter. In any case, it is generally desirable
to minimize dirt spatter and/or silicon dioxide on the harvested
combination of plant species for a number of reasons. For example,
dirt and/or silicon dioxide generally do not burn or does not burn
well. As another example, dirt spatter and/or silicon dioxide on
the harvested combination of plant species tends to cause the
resultant bio-fuel to have higher ash content when burned than
would otherwise occur without the dirt spatter and/or silicon
dioxide. As yet another example, dirt spatter and/or silicon
dioxide on the harvested combination of plant species may cause the
resultant bio-fuel to produce more undesirable emissions when
burned than would otherwise occur without the dirt spatter and/or
silicon dioxide. In any case, the process of FIG. 2 advances from
step 120 to step 122 where the cut combination of plant species
resulting from step 120 is reduced to smaller pieces. The size of
the pieces resulting from step 122 may vary depending upon further
processing requirements of the biomass resulting from step 122.
From step 122, the process of FIG. 2 returns to the process 100 of
FIG. 1.
Example
[0050] The following describes one illustrative implementation of
the process 100 of FIG. 1 using one example set of plant species.
It will be understood that this represents only an example, and
that the process 100 may alternatively be carried out generally as
described above and using one or more other plant species.
[0051] In the illustrative implementation, the first plant species
is selected to be Ambrosia trifida, also known as Giant Ragweed,
Great Ragweed, Buffalo Ragweed, Bitterweed, Bloodweed, Horse Cane
and Tall Ambrosia. Ambrosia trifida is a perennial plant that is
native throughout most of North America, and its flowers are
pollinated by wind (rather than by insects). The second plant
species in this illustrative implementation is selected to be a
tall-growing, high-lignin corn species or sorghum species. The
tall-growing, high-lignin corn or sorghum species acts in this
illustrative implementation as a catalytic crop that forces the
Ambrosia trifida to grow taller than when grown alone. Ambrosia
trifida, when grown taller as a result of being grown together in
competition with a tall-growing, high-lignin corn or sorghum
species, generally produces a stalk with greater girth and,
consequently, higher lignin content. The selection of Ambrosia
trifida and a tall-growing, high-lignin corn or sorghum species
thus achieves the bio-fuel production goal of increased crop yield
and also the bio-fuel performance goal of increase BTU value (see
discussion hereinabove relating to step 102 of the process
100).
[0052] It is desirable, although not required, when selecting the
corn species as the second plant species, to select a hybrid corn
species that is developed to grow without ears, or with ears but
with very few, if any, kernels. Kernels have been determined by
experiment to be problematic in industrial boiler and burner
applications due to slagging at low temperature, and it is
therefore desirable to minimize kernel growth in embodiments of the
corn species that grow with ears. Corn species that have been grown
and tested, and that have been found to have satisfactory BTU and
sufficiently low ash include, but are not limited to, "G" family
Hybrid Nos. 2G779, 2M746, 2M744, 2M141, 2M748, 2M749, 2J665, 2J668,
2J669, 2D673, 2D653, 2D663 and 2D675, "E" series Hybrid Nos. 2G621,
2G627, 2G628, 2R691, 2R693 and 2R731, and "Tropical Corn" series
Hybrid Nos. TMF-2L844 and TMF-2H917, which may be selected for
extremely tall growth in warmer climates, all of which are produced
by Mycogen Seeds of Indianapolis, Ind., which is a wholly-owned
affiliate of Dow AgroSciences, also of Indianapolis, Ind. Sorghum
species that have been grown and tested, and that have been found
to have satisfactory BTU and sufficiently low ash includes, but
should not be limited to, number 1506 hybrid sorghum species which
is produced by Mycogen Seeds of Indianapolis, Ind. Further
experimental testing revealed that all varieties of tall-growing,
high-lignin sorghums did well as a BTU binder and catalyst for the
Ambrosia trifida. In this illustrative implementation, the "G"
family Hybrid No. 2M748 is selected to grow together in competition
with the Ambrosia trifida.
[0053] In the illustrative implementation, the ambrosia trifida is
supplemented with Ambrosia artemisiifolia, also known as Common
Ragweed, Annual Ragweed, Bitterweed, Blackweed, Carrot Weed, Hay
Fever Weed, Roman Wormwood, Stammerwort, Stickweed, Tassel Weed,
Wild Tansy and American Wormwood. The three plant species, Ambrosia
trifida, "G" family Hybrid No. 2M748 corn and Ambrosia
artemisiifolia, may be planted together as early as the corn
species can be planted in the selected geographical area. Planting
of the Ambrosia artemisiifolia is optional as it will generally
grow where sunlight permits around the Ambrosia trifida. If
overshadowed by corn and Ambrosia trifida, the Ambrosia
artemisiifolia seed will generally lie dormant until conditions
encourage its growth. The Ambrosia artemisiifolia, in the
illustrative implementation, is used as filler for the first year
or two that the three plant species are planted in an area where
the ambrosia trifida may not initially grow thick enough to block
sunlight to the ambrosia artemisiifolia. The Ambrosia trifida is
planted among the corn evenly in an interspersed fashion. It is
desirable to have more ambrosia trifida plants per acre than the
corn, e.g., 75,000-120,000 total plants per acre. This will yield
more tonnage per acre than planting more corn plants than Ambrosia
trifida. Illustratively, fertilizing should place emphasis on high
phosphorus content if and where possible.
[0054] In the illustrative implementation, the "G" family Hybrid
No. 2M748 corn was planted with a density of 27,000-35,000 seeds
per acre. Given adequate fertilizer and sunshine, this hybrid corn
species reaches heights of 13-16 feet tall in Northern Indiana.
Ambrosia trifida grown together in competition with this corn
generally grew 1-3 feet taller with a high-lignin and fibrous
stalk. Each Ambrosia trifida plant will generally produce more than
1,000 usable seeds which, due to the high amount of pollen each
plant produces, are mostly, if not all, fertile. It has been found
that a small field planted with just Ambrosia trifida can produce
ample seeds for future needs. The Ambrosia trifida and the "G"
family Hybrid No. 2M748 corn (as well as many others of the corn
hybrids described above) are both drought resistant. This makes the
illustrative implementation of this particular combination of plant
species suitable for planting on reclaimed strip mines. Such
reclaimed land, while recovered with top soil, has in many cases
lost minerals that help retain moisture. It may take 15-20 years
for the soil on such land to compact again, and such land generally
has difficulty retaining water. The drought resistance of this
combination of plant species helps it grow on such reclaimed land
despite its porosity. Fertilizing and irrigation, particularly
during the first month of growth, will help to ensure adequate crop
yields when grown on reclaimed land.
[0055] Harvesting the combination of plant species, in this
illustrative implementation, generally follows the process
illustrated in FIG. 2. Using a precision cutting head, the
combination of plant species is cut at a predetermined height above
the ground. Illustratively, the cutting head is positioned such
that 6-9 inches of stalk are left on the plot of land after the
harvest. This minimizes, or at least reduces, dirt spatter and/or
silicon dioxide on the harvested combination of plant species as
described hereinabove. In any case, the cut combination of plant
species is then reduced, e.g., by chopping, into small pieces
suitable for further processing of the resulting biomass into one
or more bio-fuels.
[0056] As described above, growing multiple crops in one growing
season may be possible, particularly in warmer climates that have
extended growing seasons. In this illustrative implementation, a
tall-growing, high-lignin sorghum may replace the corn species in
the second growing.
[0057] Genetic traits or characteristics may be developed, as
described above, to achieve desired growing and/or other goals. In
this illustrative implementation, for example, the Ambrosia trifida
was developed to have resistance to certain root pests and also
resistance to corn borer insects.
[0058] Referring now to FIG. 3, a flowchart is shown of another
illustrative embodiment of a process 200 for producing a bio-fuel.
In the illustrated embodiment, the process 200 begins at step 202
where Ambrosia trifida is planted on one more parcels of land.
Illustratively, the Ambrosia trifida may be planted by itself or
along with Ambrosia artemisiifolia. In the latter case, the
Ambrosia artemisiifolia will grow and thrive in areas that are not
yet filled in by the Ambrosia trifida during the first one or more
years following the first planting. As the Ambrosia trifida plants
become more densely packed in subsequent years they will rob the
Ambrosia artemisiifolia of sunlight, and the Ambrosia
artemisiifolia will generally become dormant unless and until
conditions encourage its growth. The one or more parcels of land
may be any parcels of land, including reclaimed mining land and/or
other difficult to grow areas as Ambrosia trifida is generally
drought resistant.
[0059] Following step 202, the process 200 advances to step 204
where additional phosphorus is mixed with a conventional base
fertilizer to form a modified fertilizer. In one embodiment, for
example, the conventional fertilizer may be a conventional
Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium (NPK) fertilizer, although this
disclosure contemplates using other conventional fertilizers as the
base fertilizer. In any case, the planted Ambrosia trifida is
fertilized thereafter at step 206 with the modified fertilizer.
[0060] The process 200 advances from step 206 to step 208 where the
planted Ambrosia trifida is harvested when it is sufficiently
mature. Illustratively, step 208 may be carried out as illustrated
in FIG. 2 where the Ambrosia trifida is cut at a predefined height
above the ground, and then reduced to smaller pieces. The
predetermined height may be selected, for example, to minimize dirt
spatter and/or silicon dioxide on the cut stalks of the ambrosia
trifida resulting from rain and/or other watering of the crop. The
size of the smaller pieces may vary depending upon further
processing requirements of the biomass resulting from the
harvesting process.
[0061] The process 200 advances from step 208 to step 210 where the
harvested Ambrosia trifida is processed to produce bio-fuel. In one
embodiment, the harvested is Ambrosia trifida is processed at step
210 to produce biomass in the form of the bio-fuel itself. For
example, the biomass may be produced at step 210 in any one or more
of a solid, a powder and a pellet form that can be burned directly
as bio-fuel. Some examples of systems for processing harvested
plant species into a solid, powder and/or pellet form of a burnable
bio-fuel are described in co-pending patent application Ser. No.
11/562,643, the disclosure of which has been incorporated herein by
reference. Such systems may further be modified as described
hereinabove. In an alternative embodiment, the harvested Ambrosia
trifida is processed at step 210 to produce a biomass from which
the bio-fuel may be derived according to one or more known
processes. In this embodiment, for example, the biomass may be
further processed at step 210, using one or more known biomass
processing techniques, to produce any of ethanol, bio-diesel fuel,
bio-gas, bio-oil, solid bio-fuel, powdered bio-fuel and pelletized
bio-fuel. Those skilled in the art may recognize other forms of
bio-fuel that may be formed or derived from the harvested Ambrosia
trifida, and any such other forms of bio-fuel are contemplated by
this disclosure.
[0062] In one embodiment, the process 200 advances from step 210 to
step 212 where the process 200 ends. In an alternate embodiment,
the process 200 may loop from step 210 back to step 202 as shown in
FIG. 3 by a corresponding dashed-line arrow. Alternatively, no
additional planting may be necessary and the process 200 may
instead loop from step 210 to step 204. In either case, the steps
202-210 or steps 204-210 may be repeated any number of times, which
may be interpreted as planting the Ambrosia trifida in any number
of locations during a single growing season, or alternatively as
planting the Ambrosia trifida at any single or number of locations
some number of times, e.g., twice, during a single growing
season.
[0063] Referring now to FIG. 4, a flowchart is shown of another
illustrative embodiment of a process 300 for producing a bio-fuel.
In the illustrated embodiment, the process 300 begins at step 302
where two or more plant species are planted, each on a separate
parcel of land. The two or more plant species may include, for
example, but should not be limited to, any combination of
separately planted Ambrosia, e.g., Ambrosia trifida or Ambrosia
artemisiifolia, Amaranthus, e.g., Amaranthus rudis, Amaranthus
hybridus or Amaranthus retroflexus, any of the corn species
described hereinabove, and any of the sorghum species described
hereinabove.
[0064] Following step 302, the process 300 advances, in one
embodiment, to step 304 which is shown in FIG. 4 by a dashed-line
box to indicate that some embodiments of the process 300 may
include step 304 while others may not. In any case, at step 304 any
one or more of the plant species planted at step 302 are
fertilized. The fertilization step 304 may occur at any time, and
may occur multiple times, while the one or more of the plant
species planted at step 302 is/are growing. The fertilizer may be
any conventional plant fertilizer, and one specific example
fertilizer is a conventional nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium
fertilizer which is modified by supplementing this base fertilizer
with additional phosphorus.
[0065] In any case, the process 300 in the illustrated embodiment
advances from step 304, or in embodiments that do not include step
304 the process 300 advances from step 302, to step 306 which is
shown in FIG. 4 by a dashed-line box to indicate that some
embodiments of the process 300 may include step 306 while others
may not. In any case, at step 306 any one or more of the plant
species planted at step 302 are treated for insects and/or for
other pests. Example treatments may include, for example, but
should not be limited to, treatment for root pests, treatment for
corn borer insects, treatment for stalk-boring pests, and the like.
Like the fertilizing step 304, the treatment step 306 may occur at
any time, and may occur multiple times, while the one or more of
the plant species planted at step 302 is/are growing.
[0066] The process 300 advances from step 306, and from step 304 or
302 in embodiments of the process 300 that do not include step 306,
to step 308 where each of the separately planted plant species that
were planted at step 302 is harvested when sufficiently mature. It
will be understood that step 208 does not require that each of the
number of plant species is harvested simultaneously, but rather
that each is harvested when each is sufficiently mature.
Illustratively, step 308 may be carried out as illustrated in FIG.
2 where each of the plant species is cut at a predefined height
above the ground, and then reduced to smaller pieces. The
predetermined height may be selected, for example, to minimize dirt
spatter and/or silicon dioxide on the cut stalks resulting from
rain and/or other watering of the plant species. The size of the
smaller pieces may vary depending upon further processing
requirements of the biomass resulting from the harvesting
process.
[0067] The process 300 advances from step 308 to step 310 where the
combination of harvested plant species is processed to produce
bio-fuel. In one embodiment, the harvested combination of plant
species is processed at step 310 to produce biomass in the form of
the bio-fuel itself. For example, the biomass may be produced at
step 310 in any one or more of a solid, a powder and a pellet form
that can be burned directly as bio-fuel. Some examples of systems
for processing harvested plant species into a solid, powder and/or
pellet form of a burnable bio-fuel are described in co-pending
patent application Ser. No. 11/562,643, the disclosure of which has
been incorporated herein by reference. Such systems may further be
modified as described hereinabove. In an alternative embodiment,
the harvested combination of plant species is processed at step 310
to produce a biomass from which the bio-fuel may be derived
according to one or more known processes. In this embodiment, for
example, the biomass may be further processed at step 310, using
one or more known biomass processing techniques, to produce any of
ethanol, bio-diesel fuel, bio-gas, bio-oil, solid bio-fuel,
powdered bio-fuel and pelletized bio-fuel. Those skilled in the art
may recognize other forms of bio-fuel that may be formed or derived
from the harvested combination of plant species, and any such other
forms of bio-fuel are contemplated by this disclosure.
[0068] In one embodiment, the process 300 advances from step 310 to
step 312 where the process 300 ends. In an alternate embodiment,
the process 300 may loop from step 310 back to step 302 as shown in
FIG. 4 by a corresponding dashed-line arrows. Alternatively, no
additional planting may be necessary and the process 300 may
instead loop from step 310 to step 304. In either case, the steps
302-310 or steps 304-310 may be repeated any number of times, e.g.,
twice, during a single growing season.
[0069] It will be understood that any of the processes 100, 200 and
300 illustrated and described herein may be grown on any type of
land. Most, if not all, of the plant species described herein are
generally drought resistant, and may accordingly be planted/grown
on depleted land such as reclaimed land from strip mining, or in
other low plant nutrient land such as bogs or peat bogs. Generally,
planting and growing plant species in either of these types of land
will benefit from fertilization and, at least in the former case,
from irrigation and/or frequent watering. Fertilization may, as
described hereinabove, be enhanced by adding phosphorus to a base
fertilizer, such as a conventional nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium
fertilizer. It will be understood that while at least some of the
plant species described herein may be planted/grown on such
depleted or other low plant nutrient land, all of the plant species
illustrated and described herein may alternatively be planted/grown
on other types of land in any geographical location suitable for
sustaining plant life, and may be supplied with fertilizer,
including phosphorus-enhanced fertilizer. It will further be
understood that with any of the processes 100, 200 and 300
illustrated and described herein, it is desirable to maintain the
moisture content of the completed and/or partially completed
bio-fuel less than a threshold moisture content, e.g., 10% or less,
to avoid spontaneous combustion, as described hereinabove.
[0070] While the invention has been illustrated and described in
detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same is to be
considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it
being understood that only one illustrative embodiment thereof has
been shown and described and that all changes and modifications
that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be
protected. For example, one or more other plant species may be
substituted for Ambrosia trifida in either of the processes 100 and
200 illustrated and described herein. One example substitute plant
species includes, but is not limited to, one or more species of
amaranth, i.e., Amaranthus. Specific examples include Amaranthus
rudis, also known as tall Amaranthus and common waterhemp,
Amaranthus hybridus, also known as smooth Amaranthus, pigweed and
red Amaranthus, and Amaranthus retroflexus, also known as red-root
Amaranthus, redroot pigweed and common Amaranthus. As another
example, various other combinations of plant species may be used in
the processes 100 or 300 illustrated herein. As a specific example,
the first plant species in either embodiment may be Amaranthus,
e.g., Amaranthus rudis, Amaranthus hybridus and/or Amaranthus
retroflexus, and the second plant species may be Ambrosia, e.g.,
Ambrosia trifida and/or Ambrosia artemisiifolia, or a corn species
or a sorghum species. Alternatively, the first plant species may be
Ambrosia, e.g., Ambrosia trifida and/or Ambrosia artemisiifolia,
and the second plant species may be Amaranthus, e.g., Amaranthus
rudis, Amaranthus hybridus and/or Amaranthus retroflexus.
* * * * *