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Innovative Systems for Biomass Crop Production and Use

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A special issue of Biomass (ISSN 2673-8783).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 22 July 2024 | Viewed by 4692

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Daniel Ciolkosz

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Guest Editor

Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, Shortlidge Road, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Interests: biomass; efficiency; torrefaction; biofuel

Dr. Jude Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, Pennsylvania State University, Shortlidge Road, University Park, PA 16802, USA
Interests: agricultural machinery; machine design and test; biomass harvesting, handling and logistics; biomass in-field processing and densification; hydraulics and pneumatic system design and test

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This issue focuses on emerging technologies, systems, and approaches that contribute to the production and utilization of biomass crops, such as switchgrass, hemp, miscanthus, and other annual and perennial crops, that can be grown in a field and mechanically harvested. Suitable topics include new crops, cropping systems and strategies, innovative harvest and processing approaches and technologies, opportunities for "smart ag" in biomass production, emerging applications for end uses of biomass crops, and developments in economic performance and sustainability assessment.

You are cordially invited to submit a manuscript for publication in a Special Issue of the journal Biomass, devoted to the topic of "Innovative systems for biomass crop production and use". Articles should consist of new research or critical review of emerging topics in this field. Biomass is an open access, peer reviewed journal, which will afford wide visibility of your work and an efficient review and publication process.

Dr. Daniel Ciolkosz
Dr. Jude Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomass is an international peer-reviewed open access quarterly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1000 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

crop production
biomass utilization
valorization
bioenergy
bioproducts

Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1241 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Techno-Economic Analysis of Hemp Production, Logistics and Processing in the U.S

by Asmita Khanal and Ajay Shah

Biomass 2024, 4(1), 164-179; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass4010008 - 01 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1481

Abstract

Industrial hemp is a versatile crop, and its products have important applications in the food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, textile, paper and composite industries. Since its legalization in the U.S. in 2018, interest in growing and using hemp has been increasing. This study evaluated the techno-economics of hemp grain and fiber production, harvest and post-harvest logistics, the drying and storage of hemp grain, and the decortication of fiber stalks. The analysis was performed using a process modeling approach with data obtained from the literature considering a farm size of 162 ha (average U.S. farm size). The input parameters were used as distributed functions and the results obtained are reported as interquartile ranges after 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations. The total cost of producing and processing hemp grain and fiber was estimated to be in the interquartile range of USD 2911–3566 Mg⁻¹ and USD 1155–1505 Mg⁻¹, respectively. The costs of seed and fertilizer along with grain and fiber yields were found to be the major factors influencing field production costs, while costs associated with facilities and labor were the main costs in fiber processing. Despite the high resource requirements and processing costs, high-value applications of hemp grain and fiber show great potential to produce net incomes of USD 426–3701 Mg⁻¹ and USD 1570–2016 Mg⁻¹, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Systems for Biomass Crop Production and Use)

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19 pages, 3294 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comparison of Forest Biomass and Conventional Harvesting Effects on Estimated Erosion, Best Management Practice Implementation, Ground Cover, and Residual Woody Debris in Virginia

by Austin M. Garren, Michael Chad Bolding, Scott M. Barrett, Eric M. Hawks, Wallace Michael Aust and Thomas Adam Coates

Biomass 2023, 3(4), 403-421; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass3040024 - 17 Nov 2023

Viewed by 756

Abstract

Expanding markets for renewable energy feedstocks have increased demand for woody biomass. Concerns associated with forest biomass harvesting include increased erosion, the applicability of conventional forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs) for protecting water quality, and reduced woody debris retention for soil nutrients and cover. We regionally compared the data and results from three prior independent studies that estimated erosion, BMP implementation, and residual woody debris following biomass and conventional forest harvests in the Mountains, Piedmont, and Coastal Plain of Virginia. Estimated erosion was higher in the Mountains due to steep slopes and operational challenges. Mountain skid trails were particularly concerning, comprising only 8.47% of the total area but from 37.9 to 81.1% of the total site-wide estimated erosion. BMP implementation varied by region and harvest type, with biomass sites having better implementation than conventional sites, and conventional Mountain sites having lower implementation than other regions. Sufficient woody debris remained for BMPs on both harvest types in all regions, with conventional Mountain sites retaining twice that of Coastal Plain sites. BMPs reduced the estimated erosion on both site types suggesting increased implementation could reduce potential erosion in problematic areas. Therefore, proper BMP implementation should be ensured, particularly in Mountainous terrain, regardless of harvest type. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Systems for Biomass Crop Production and Use)

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Review

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22 pages, 3788 KiB

Open AccessReview

Termite Microbial Symbiosis as a Model for Innovative Design of Lignocellulosic Future Biorefinery: Current Paradigms and Future Perspectives

by Mudasir A. Dar, Rongrong Xie, Hossain M. Zabed, Shehbaz Ali, Daochen Zhu and Jianzhong Sun

Biomass 2024, 4(1), 180-201; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass4010009 - 01 Mar 2024

Viewed by 772

Abstract

The hunt for renewable and alternative fuels has driven research towards the biological conversion of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB) into biofuels, including bioethanol and biohydrogen. Among the natural biomass utilization systems (NBUS), termites represent a unique and easy-to-access model system to study host–microbe interactions towards lignocellulose bioconversion/valorization. Termites have gained significant interest due to their highly efficient lignocellulolytic systems. The wood-feeding termites apply a unique and stepwise process for the hydrolysis of lignin, hemicellulose, and cellulose via biocatalytic processes; therefore, mimicking their digestive metabolism and physiochemical gut environments might lay the foundation for an innovative design of nature-inspired biotechnology. This review highlights the gut system of termites, particularly the wood-feeding species, as a unique model for future biorefinery. The gut system of termites is a treasure-trove for prospecting novel microbial species, including protists, bacteria, and fungi, having higher biocatalytic efficiencies and biotechnological potentials. The significance of potential bacteria and fungi for harnessing the enzymes appropriate for lignocellulosic biorefinery is also discussed. Termite digestomes are rich sources of lignocellulases and related enzymes that could be utilized in various industrial processes and biomass-related applications. Consideration of the host and symbiont as a single functioning unit will be one of the most crucial strategies to expedite developments in termite-modeled biotechnology in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Systems for Biomass Crop Production and Use)

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27 pages, 1231 KiB

Open AccessReview

State of the Art Review of Attributes and Mechanical Properties of Hempcrete

by Nima Asghari and Ali M. Memari

Biomass 2024, 4(1), 65-91; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass4010004 - 02 Feb 2024

Viewed by 1216

Abstract

The global surge in environmental pollution, largely attributed to industrialization, has fueled a pressing need for sustainable solutions. In response, the construction sector is increasingly focusing on bio-based materials such as hemp, recognized for its low environmental footprint and prominent carbon-negative quality. As designers, housebuilders, and an environmentally conscious society pivot towards ecological alternatives to standard building materials, hempcrete emerges as a promising candidate. As a composite material mainly made from hemp hurd/shiv, water, and lime, hempcrete offers the ability to sequester carbon long after its incorporation into structures. As a result, the hemp cultivation process—which can be completed within less than four months—ensures that more carbon is absorbed during production and deployment than emitted, e.g., per one study, sequestration on the order of 300 kg of CO₂ per m³ of hempcrete. In comparison to concrete, hempcrete offers a more sustainable footprint, given its recyclability post life cycle. This state-of-the-art review paper delves deep into different aspects of hempcrete, summarizing its multifaceted attributes, particularly its compressive strength. Based on the study conducted, the paper also suggests strategies to augment this strength, thereby transitioning hempcrete from a non-load-bearing material to one capable of shouldering significant weight. As architects and designers consistently strive to align their projects with high ecological standards, focusing not just on aesthetic appeal but also environmental compatibility, hempcrete becomes an increasingly fitting solution for the future of construction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Systems for Biomass Crop Production and Use)

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