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Biomass
Special Issues
Innovative Systems for Biomass Crop Production and Use
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Innovative Systems for Biomass Crop Production and Use

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (22 July 2024) | Viewed by 14182

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Daniel Ciolkosz

E-Mail Website
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

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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9 pages, 2086 KiB  
Article
Estimating Herbaceous Aboveground Biomass Using an Indirect Method Based on the Herbaceous Layer Characteristics
by Ousmane Diatta, Adjoua Ange-Jokébed N’goran, Cofélas Fassinou, Paulo Salgado, Ousmane Ndiaye, Sékouna Diatta, Daouda Ngom, Torbern Tagesson and Simon Taugourdeau
Biomass 2024, 4(4), 1191-1199; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass4040066 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 497
Abstract
Background: In the Sahel, one of the largest semi-arid areas in the world, pastoral livestock is the main source of protein for the local population. The quantification of herbaceous biomass in the Sahelian rangelands is of major importance since it provides food for [...] Read more.
Background: In the Sahel, one of the largest semi-arid areas in the world, pastoral livestock is the main source of protein for the local population. The quantification of herbaceous biomass in the Sahelian rangelands is of major importance since it provides food for the livestock. The main method used to monitor the biomass consists of cutting, drying, and weighting it. However, indirect methods are available and allow a reliable biomass estimation. Methods: In this study, we developed a non-destructive method for estimating herbaceous biomass for the Sahelian rangelands based on measurements of its height and coverage. Results: Results show that the fit is better in the fenced area. The volume index (height × coverage) provides a better biomass prediction with relative differences between measured and predicted biomass of 11% in 2017 and 8% in 2019. Conclusions: Monitoring herbaceous biomass without destroying it is possible by measuring only its height and coverage. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Systems for Biomass Crop Production and Use)
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12 pages, 2862 KiB  
Article
Characterization of Spent Mushroom Compost and Evaluation of Its Potential for Thermochemical Valorization through Ash Reduction Treatments
by Carolina Restrepo Londoño, Pedro Alvarado Torres, Andrés Moreno and Alexander Giraldo Gil
Biomass 2024, 4(3), 978-989; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass4030054 - 2 Sep 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 708
Abstract
This study focuses on applying ash reduction treatments in order to explore the potential for industrial-scale thermochemical utilization of Spent Mushroom Compost (SMC). SMC is a waste byproduct generated by the mushroom industry. Typically, for every kilogram of produced mushrooms, five kilograms of [...] Read more.
This study focuses on applying ash reduction treatments in order to explore the potential for industrial-scale thermochemical utilization of Spent Mushroom Compost (SMC). SMC is a waste byproduct generated by the mushroom industry. Typically, for every kilogram of produced mushrooms, five kilograms of SMC are discarded, with current disposal methods involving landfills or incineration, causing environmental problems. Utilizing SMC effectively presents challenges due to the inherent properties of this biomass type, characterized by high moisture and ash content, low fixed carbon content, and material heterogeneity. These attributes create difficulties when employing a thermochemical valorization route due to the low carbon content and mineral treatments involved. The results have unveiled the heterogeneous nature of the material and its individual components when physically separated. Among the three identified fractions (agglomerated, woody, and fines), the woody fraction showed the highest potential for thermochemical utilization. Notably, when subjected to washing with distilled water and citric acid treatments, it resulted in up to 66% ash reduction, a significant outcome. Other fractions of the material may find potential applications in agriculture. The effective utilization of such high-volume waste biomasses demands diverse and innovative approaches, underlining the urgency and complexity of the problem and the need to employ the principles of a circular economy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Systems for Biomass Crop Production and Use)
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16 pages, 1241 KiB  
Article
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 - 1 Mar 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 3924
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 [...] Read more.
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  
Article
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 1294
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 [...] Read more.
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  
Review
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 - 1 Mar 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2211
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 [...] Read more.
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  
Review
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 - 2 Feb 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 4721
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 [...] Read more.
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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