Capturing Clean Cellulose Lyle Stephens John Deere Technology Innovation Center

State of the Art –Harvesting systems –Performance Issues

A Brief History Deere developed the “Biomass Converter” in the 1970s. Used the energy in corn cobs to dry the grain Produced syngas for heat and engine fuel.

Status Report The industry has developed a large number of harvesting technologies.

One Pass

Two Pass

Willow

Miscanthus

Forest Slash

Sponsored Harvest Research DOE – Iowa State University Cargill-Dow (now NatureWorks) John Deere Harvester Works John Deere Ottumwa Works John Deere Technology Center – Moline University of Wisconsin – Madison University of Kentucky

Generate and Evaluate Concepts One Pass – One Stream One Pass – Two Streams One Pass – Three Streams

One Pass – One Stream Increase bulk density of loaded truck Unthreshed ears mixed with chopped stalks – central processor for separation

One Pass – Two Streams Ears only into combine Whole plant into combine

Ears Only

Whole Plant

One Pass – Three Streams

Sugar

Cotton

Technology Portfolio Multitude of unit operations in current and past machines Can be combined into new machines to meet market requirements

Harvest System Performance

Research Issues: Soil health and soil erosion Nutrient value in biomass Harvest labor availability Highly seasonal supply “Hassle Factor” Feedstock specifications New Harvesting Concepts