The Potential of Creating Bioenergy for Small Farmers through Gasification of Woody Plants and Wastes

With the Increasing demand of energy coupled with declining fossil fuel resources of the planet, there is increasing interest in the identification of renewable energy resources derived from plant biomass and plant waste products. A number of woody invasive plant species may serve well for generating energy for farmers, as well as create a use for an invasive plant after its removal from ecosystems. Energy production from waste products such as wooden pallets could also reduce the need for additional resources. The objective of this study is to examine the potential of bush honeysuckle, pawpaw, white ash, and waste wood from pallets as feedstock in a gasifier, which was used to fuel a generator for electricity production. Bush honeysuckle (Lonicera maackii), which is an invasive woody bush of Kentucky, the North American pawpaw (Asimina triloba), which is a small native tree in Kentucky, and white ash (Fraxinus americana), a large native tree species in Kentucky, could serve as excellent feedstocks for gasification. Unloaded pallets are a common waste product at retail stores in Kentucky. All waste product feedstocks were examined and are capable of producing moderate amounts of electricity; however, the various gasification attributes of each woody species and pallet materials will be reported. Issues concerning the practicality and labor commitments for the operation of a gasification system will be discussed.