Source: Jewell, W.J. 1982. Energy from cornstalks: local crop residues as a substitution for imported oil. Cornell Engineering Quarterly 17:27-34.

In 1980, petroleum and natural gas accounted for approximately 70% of the energy consumed in the United States. About two thirds of that petroleum was imported from the Middle East and Africa. American dependence on imported oil could be greatly reduced and the sustainability of US agriculture could be increased if Americans would exploit agricultural byproducts like crop residues and manure as sources of renewable energy. The anaerobic fermentation of crop residues and manure produces biogas that can be used to generate electricity or heat. The residue is nutrient-rich and can be used as a fertilizer. In this article, Jewell discusses how crop residues can become a substitute for imported oil and then describes the development of biogas technology at Cornell University. Jewell and his team developed a biomass conversion method using anaerobic bacteria to ferment crop residues and produce methane gas and alcohol. Methane gas can be used for heating or electricity production, and the alcohol can be used as liquid fuel for farm equipment. Jewell's team built a 110-cubic-meter dry fermentation batch reactor. It used corn stover (stalks and leaves), grass, wheat, and cow manure to produce biogas at a rate of 0.75 v/v-d (volume of biogas per reactor volume per day). The author stated, "In 1979 the federal budget for work on biomass fuels was about $35 million. If an average of 3 X 1015 BTU (British Thermal Units) of energy a year were generated from biomass between 1985 and 2000, the total value of this energy would be $135 billion." However, he explains that before this technology can be implemented in real world situations (1) "dry-fermentation techniques must be understood at a molecular level, (2) reaction parameters must be defined, examined, and used to establish reactor requirements, (3) system variables must be identified and studied, and (4) the impacts on the community or region must be assessed." The author suggests the limiting factor in the development of biomass to fuel technology is the lack of a national energy policy supported by the public. A national energy policy supported by the public would indicate that Americans realize the need for dependable and renewable energy sources and are willing to pay the research and development costs. Jewell concludes that, "the economic impact of continued purchase by our nation of more than half the petroleum we use needs to be recognized and quickly dealt with." As part of this effort, the potential contribution of small biomass energy converters should be acknowledged and encouraged.

Abstract Author: Jim Golebiewski, 21 November 1997.

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