Baling straw for ethanol production: the long-term implications on soil quality and productivity

Non-Peer Reviewe

Agronomic and greenhouse gas assessment of land applied anaerobically digested swine manure

Non-Peer ReviewedManagement of animal wastes from intensive livestock operations (ILO) must be economically feasible, environmentally friendly and socially acceptable. Anaerobic digestion is a promising technology that could provide an option for managing animal waste that may reduce greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing the biogas produced during digestion to displace fossil-fuels and by reducing emissions during lagoon storage. A three-year study was conducted at two locations, Swift Current and Melfort, to compare the agronomic performance and gaseous N loss of land-applied anaerobically digested swine manure (ADSM) to conventionally treated swine manure (CTSM). Treatments included spring and fall applications of CTSM and ADSM at a 1x rate (10,000 and 7,150 L ha-1 respectively) applied each year, and a 3x rate (30,000 and 21,450 L ha-1 respectively) applied once at the beginning of the study. A treatment receiving commercial fertilizer (UAN) and a check (no N) were also included. Nitrogen use efficiency for single applications of ADSM or CTSM at the 3x rate were lower than three annual applications at the 1x rate, while UAN was intermediate. Nitrogen use efficiency of ADSM and CTSM applied in the fall was equal to spring when applied at 1x rate and, in general, agronomic performance of ADSM was similar or better than CTSM. Ammonia loss from ADSM was similar to CTSM, except for CTSM at the 3x rate applied in the fall at Melfort and in the spring at Swift Current, which had significantly higher losses than all other treatments. The percentage of applied N lost as N2O measured at the Melfort site was generally higher for treatments receiving CTSM compared to ADSM or UAN, and losses from ADSM and UAN were similar. The results from this study suggest that ADSM is equal or better than CTSM in terms of agronomic performance, but has lower environmental impact with respect to gaseous N loss

Analysis of five simulated straw harvest scenarios

. Analysis of five simulated straw harvest scenarios. Canadian Biosystems Engineering/Le ge´nie des biosyste`ms au Canada 50: 2.27Á2.35. Almost 36 million tonnes (t) of cereal grains are harvested annually on more than 16 million hectares (ha) on the Canadian prairies. The net straw production varies year by year depending upon weather patterns, crop fertility, soil conservation measures, harvest method, and plant variety. The net yield of straw, after discounting for soil conservation, averages approximately 2.5 dry (d)t ha (1 . Efficient equipment is needed to collect and package the material as a feedstock for industrial applications. This paper investigates the costs, energy input, and emissions from power equipment used for harvesting straw. Five scenarios were investigated: (1) large square bales, (2) round bales, (3) large compacted stacks (loafs), (4) dried chops, and (5) wet chops. The baled or loafed biomass is stacked next to the farm. Dry chop is collected in a large pile and wet chop is ensiled. The baling and stacking cost was $21.47 dt (1 (dry tonne), with little difference between round and large square baling. Loafing was the cheapest option at$17.08 dt (1 and wet chop followed by ensiling was $59.75 dt -1 . A significant portion of the wet chop cost was in ensiling. Energy input and emissions were proportional to the costs for each system, except for loafing, which required more energy input than the baling systems. As a fraction of the energy content of biomass (roughly 16 GJ dt (1 ), the energy input ranged from 1.2% for baling to 3.2% for ensiling. Emissions from the power equipment ranged from 20.3 kg CO 2 e dt (1 to more than 40 kg CO 2 e dt (1 . A sensitivity analysis on the effect of yield on collection costs showed that a 33% increase in yield reduced the cost by 20%. Similarly a sensitivity analysis on weather conditions showed that a 108C cooler climate extended the harvest period by 5Á10 days whereas a 108C warmer climate shortened the harvest period by 2Á3 days

Influence of tillage, crop residue, controlled-release N fertilizer, and liquid swine manure management on greenhouse gas emissions in Saskatchewan, Canada

Non-Peer Reviewe

Opportunities for the expansion of ethanol production in western Canada

Non-Peer ReviewedA renewed interest in ethanol production in North America is occurring because of: (1) higher gasoline prices which have improved the viability of ethanol investments; (2) commitments by Canada, the U.S., and other nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; (3) opportunities for rural employment through additional value added industry; and (4) a desire to reduce burdensome grain stocks and thus assist in the ultimate recovery of grain prices benefitting all agricultural producers. Changes in transportation costs for export grain in Western Canada provide a further incentive promoting the ethanol industry. This paper summarizes some of the developments and issues relating to the expansion of ethanol production in Western Canada. Among the issues for those interested in ethanol have been: (1) Is this industry likely to be viable and to compete with other fuel sources, particularly gasoline? (2) Does the industry require ongoing incentive schemes in order to compete? (3) Does the industry require additional incentives in order to assist Canada in reducing greenhouse gas emissions? (4) How effective is ethanol in reducing greenhouse gas emissions?, and (5) Is the expansion of ethanol production effective in reducing grain carryovers to help stabilize grain prices? None of these questions have complete or absolute answers, but additional research and experience is shedding light on these issues

Ne, Ar, Fe, and Cu Auger-electron production at National Synchrotron Light Source

Energetic K and L Auger electrons produced by focussed, filtered, broad-band synchrotron radiation have been measured at the x-ray ring of the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS). The x-ray beam was used to study inner-shell photoionization of Ne and Ar gas and Fe and Cu solid film targets. The Auger electrons were analyzed by means of a semi-hemispherical electrostatic electron spectrometer at the energy resolution of [approximately] 3 %. The electrons were detected at both 90[degree] and 0[degree] with respect to the photon beam direction. Broad distributions of the inner-shell photoelectrons were also observed, reflecting the incoming photon flux distribution. The Fe and Cu K Auger electron spectra were found to be very similar to the Ar K Auger electron spectra. This was expected, since deep inner-shell Auger processes are not affected by the outer valence electrons. Above 3 keV in electron energy, there have been few previous Auger electron measurements. 2 figs., 13 refs

Ne, Ar, Fe, and Cu Auger-Electron Production at National Synchrotron Light Source

Energetic K and L Auger electrons produced by focussed, filtered, broad-band synchrotron radiation have been measured at the x-ray ring of the National Synchrotron Light Source (NSLS). The x-ray beam was used to study inner-shell photoionization of Ne and Ar gas and Fe and Cu solid film targets. The Auger electrons were analyzed by means of a semi-hemispherical electrostatic electron spectrometer at the energy resolution of {approximately} 3 %. The electrons were detected at both 90{degree} and 0{degree} with respect to the photon beam direction. Broad distributions of the inner-shell photoelectrons were also observed, reflecting the incoming photon flux distribution. The Fe and Cu K Auger electron spectra were found to be very similar to the Ar K Auger electron spectra. This was expected, since deep inner-shell Auger processes are not affected by the outer valence electrons. Above 3 keV in electron energy, there have been few previous Auger electron measurements. 2 figs., 13 refs