Bioethanol and research ideas

[yhmo]

Hi guys,

 

My friend has asked me to explore what we could make use of an energy plant called caragana in Inner Mongolia, China. This plant is common in Canada and Siberia as a wind break. Please see photos at the end of this webpage: http://www.fao.org/ag/agp/AGPC/doc/pasture...raganachina.htm

 

Another website shows a comprehensive review of this plant in bio-mass usage:

http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$departme...nsf/all/eng9864

 

The potential to produce bioethanol from caragana is there. However, the above website suggested that there must be a high value by-product in order to make it profitable.

 

Do you know anyone who is knowledgeable in this field and/or caragana? The deal here is to identify an existing process of turning caragana into energy. Bioethanol is one option. China will give tons of this plant free to an investor whatever the technology is. I am an intermediary working with my contact in China.

 

Any pointers would be much appreciated. Thank you.

[needle]

If you read the article it seems like Canada has the same problem. The second site is a Canadian government site.

From what you say it appears that China is "giving away" stuff that it has no use for itself.

 

Not being funny, but if the Chinese and Canadian governments cant find a use for this stuff - I shouldnt think you'll find any ideas on here....

[drbubb]

Needle, you are probably right - but you never know.

 

Sometimes one man's garbage is another man's treasure.

But that is easier to happen when the two men are not next-door neighbors

 

IT WOULD BE GREAT if this website could provide a catalyst in finding environmental positive

usage for the castoffs of another country

 

MAYBE we should start an "OPPORTUNITIES" section - what do you think??

 

 

Caragana arborescens - Pea Tree - Plants For A FuturePlants for a Future: Caragana arborescens - Pea Tree - edible uses and growing conditions.

The Siberian pea shrub has an excellent potential to become a staple food crop. The seed is nutritious and wholesome, although rather small it is often very freely borne and is easily harvested. Indeed, once the plant is established, harvesting is about the only work you will ever have to do with it! This species usually crops very well in Eastern Britain, the pods containing 4 - 6 seeds are produced in small clumps and are easy to harvest. The flavour is fairly bland, which is an advantage in staple foods since they are then very versatile and can be used in many ways according to which flavourings you add to them. We use them in all the ways that we use lentils, they can also be ground into a powder and used as a protein-enhancing addition to cereal flours. Indeed, the seeds contain up to 36% protein as well as about 12% fats and reasonable quantities of carbohydrate.

@: http://www.pfaf.org/leaflets/peatree.php

 

--EXCERPT--

Other uses

Energy source Caragana has very strong regeneration ability of shoots and needs to be cut back every 3 - 4 years for vigorous growth. Average shoot production is over 1,500 kg/ha/yr. Trunk shoot’s heat value of combustion is 4480 kcal/kg and leaf 4330.58 kcal/kg. The heat value of 1.63 kg dried shoot is equivalent to that of 1 kilogram standard coal. So it is a very good energy plant.

 

Soil improvement Soil can be greatly improved by planting Caragana due to their big root system, nitrogen fixation and the great amount of litter produced. Survey results showed that soil organic matter was increased 0.3-0.6 percent after 10 years. Soil also can be protected against erosion including wind erosion which is serious in the kind of country where Caragana is used. It also provides good cover for wildlife and, by its protection, encourages re-establishment of native flora on degraded sites.

 

Raw material fibre. Caragana is quality raw material for industry. The average fibre length is 0.41 mm, maximum length 0.8 mm and minimum 0.23 mm. Average width of Caragana fibre is 11.5 痠, maximum 18.6 痠 and minimum 6.2 痠. Ratio of length to width of fibre is 37.5, its coarse pulp rate 51.2 percent, fine pulp rate 38.5 percent, rinse rate 4-7 percent and whiteness degree 6.02-7.02 percent. Caragana fibre is good raw material for many kinds of paper. It is also good raw material for fine quality fibreboard. It was estimated that about 900 pieces of standard quality fibreboard could be produced from 1 hectare of Caragana. In addition shoots can be used for basketry to increase farmers’ income.

 

Honey and herbal medicine. Caragana has a long blooming period and is highly melliferous, so it is also a good honey plant. Its root, flower, shoots, bark or seed can be used in herbal medicine.