A new twist on an ancient plant

8/7/2019 A new twist on an ancient plant

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An Introduction to Hemps Uses in

Energy ProductionWhat Is Hemp?

Hemp Throughout History

Modern Hemp

Biomass, bio-diesel, and ethanol

Problems, solutions, and applications


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What Is Hemp?

The hemp plant is Cannabis Sativa, adioecious angiosperm that evolved during theCretaceous era.

Hemp refers to products made from thecannabis plant for non-psychoactive purposes,either from the seeds or fiber.

Hemp will NOT get you high,as industrial hemp contains

only .03% THC.


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Hemp Throughout Time

Cannabis Sativa or hemp originated along the

35

th

parallel in Afghanistans Hindu-Kush Valley.


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Hemp Throughout Time

The variable climate of the area is what

caused the cannabis sativa species to have

such a wide range of phenotypical

characteristics. Some varieties thrive in

drought-like conditions, some in more tropical

conditions, some are psychoactive, others are

not.


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Hemp Throughout History

Cannabis first appears in history in Taiwan,

around 8000 BCE, in shards of pots decorated

with twists of hemp fiber.

The first written mention of it is from 2737

BCE in China, as a medicine, by Emperor Shen

Nung.


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This brings us to the modern age,

where our barbaric laws prohibit even

the study of cannabis for use as

industrial hemp. Many countries outside

of our own are legalizing hemp, while

many have never criminalized its use.

Even a few American states such as

California and Vermont are making lawsto ease the transition to a legal status for

hemp farming in America.


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Modern Hemp

The hemp plant is harvested for its fibers, seed, seedmeal and seed oil. Hemp is a distinct variety of theplant species cannabis sativa. Due to the similar leafshape and other phenotypical characteristics, hemp is

frequently confused with marijuana. Although bothplants are from the species cannabis sativa, theindustrial hemp cultivar contains virtually no THC(delta-9 -tetrahydrocannabinol), the active ingredientin marijuana.

Hemp cannot be used as a drug because it producesvirtually no THC(less than .03%), where marijuana produces between 5and 25 % THC.


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Modern Hemp

Hemp is a bast fiber plant similar to flax, kenaf, juteand ramie. Long slender primary fibers on the outerportion of the stalk characterize bast fiber plants. Anannual plant that grows from seed, hemp can be grown

on a range of soils, but tends to grow best on land thatproduces high yields of corn. The soil must be welldrained, rich in nitrogen, and non-acidic. Hemprequires limited pesticides because it grows so quicklyand attracts few pests. In northern latitudes, hemp is

usually planted between early March and late May.Hemp averages between 2 - 4 meters in height in aboutfour months of growth.


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Biomass

World production of biomass is estimated at 146 billionmetric tons a year, mostly wild plant growth. Somefarm crops and trees can produce up to 20 metric tonsof biomass per acre year, while some algaes and

grasses may produce 50 metric tons per year. Thisbiomass has a heating value of 5000-8000 BTU perpound, with virtually no atmospheric ash or sulfurproduced during combustion. About six percent ofcontiguous United States land area farmed for biomass

could supply all current demands for oil and gas,without adding any net carbon dioxide to theatmosphere.


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Ways To Use Biomass For Energy

Production

Burning: co-fired with coal, burned to produceelectricity, pelletized to heat structures, madeor cut into logs for heating

Oils: Vegetable, seed and plant oil used "as-is"in diesel engines; biodiesel - vegetable oilconverted by chemical reaction; convertedinto high-quality non-toxic lubricants

Conversion of cellulose to alcohol thruhydrolysis or thru anaerobic digestion


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2008 World Record Attempt

Starting March 29th, 2008, Earthrace will attemptto set a new world record for a powerboat tocircle the globe, running 100% sustainablebiodiesel fuel, and a net zero carbonfootprint. The voyage starts in Sagunto, Spain,and the crew hopes to complete the voyage inunder 65 days. The current record for apowerboat to circumnavigate the globe is

currently 74 days, 23 hours and 53 minutes. Thisrecord was set by UK boat Cable & WirelessAdventurer in 1998.


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The Problem With Biomass Energy

For the farmer to compete in the energy

market, his crop must be woody in nature and

high in cellulose, but also low in lignin. It must

grow in all American climactic zones, but not

compete with food crops for the most

productive land. Preferably, it should be grown

in rotation with food crops or on marginalland where food production is unprofitable.


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The Solution

Industrial hemp can be grown in most climatesand on marginal soils. It requires little or noherbicide and no pesticide, and uses less waterthan cotton. Measurements at Ridgetown Collegein Ontario indicate the crop needs 300-400 mm(10-13 in.) of rainfall equivalent. Yields will varyaccording to local conditions and will range from1.5 to 6 dry tons of biomass per acre. California's

rich croplands and growing environment areexpected to increase yields by 20% over Canadianresults, which will average at least 3.9 bone drytons per acre.


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Production of Bio-Diesel

Basically methyl esters, or biodiesel, as it is

commonly called, can be made from any oil or

fat, including hemp seed oil. The reaction

requires only oil, an alcohol (usually

methanol) and a catalyst (usually sodium

hydroxide [NaOH, or drain cleaner]). The

reaction produces only biodiesel and a smalleramount of glycerol or glycerin.


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Todds Biodiesel Production Formula

Fat + Ethanol + Sodium Hydroxide = Biodiesel

+ +


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Earthrace: Use of Bio-diesel At Its Apex

The goal of Earthrace

is to set a new world record

for a powerboat to

circumnavigate the

globe, running 100%

renewable locally produced

Biodiesel fuel, and with a net zero carbonfootprint.


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Earthrace Specifics

Cummins Mercruiser Diesel have supplied the engines forEarthrace. There are two QSC-540 engines producing a combinedpower output of 1080 horsepower. These engines use common railtechnology, a quantum leap forward in terms of both efficiency andemissions, compared with conventional diesel injection.

Both engines feature turbochargers with a boost pressure up to 45psi (3 bar), an intercooler (aftercooler), and are cooled via a rawwater intake which sucks up sea water, passes it through a heatexchanger, and then cools the coolant in the engines. Earthraceruns a wet exhaust, meaning exhaust gases are mixed with waterbefore being discharged. Even so, there is a nice throaty howl from

the engines as you wind them up to 1080 horsepower. Each engine has its own 10 micron Racor 75/1000 max fuel filter,

plus a secondary 2 micron fuel filter on the engine itself. Theengines are totally standard, running with 100% biodiesel of anytype, including hemp based biodiesel.


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Earthrace Eco-Statistics

Earthrace runs only sustainably produced B100 biodiesel ( including hempbiodiesel)

Parts of Earthrace are made from hemp composite, a world first for boats

The anti-foul (the coating on the hull to keep barnacle and algal growth minimized)is a new non-toxic type (most are heavy metal or iso-cyanate based)

Lubricants are made from vegetable oils, including hemp seed oil

Bedding foams are made from canola oil

Bilge water is pumped through special filters to remove any oil or hydrocarbon

Recycled ice cream containers were used during construction

MDF board used during construction were reused by local schools

The crew eat organic foods and local foods wherever possible

The entire project is run as carbon neutral, by calculating CO2 emissions andpurchasing carbon credits to balance this

Our waste is generally recycled

Crew clothes are mostly made from hemp and bamboo


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Earthrace Philosophy

Our philosophy is that it is not just about

running the right fuel, or the type of car you

drive, it is about all the things you do...and by

thinking a little about it, and taking small steps

in the right direction, you can make a big

difference. But this shouldn't stop you from

doing fantastic, exciting and amazing things inyour life.


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Hemp Seed Oil Production

Grown for oilseed, Canadian grower's yields average about 400 lbs.per acre.

Cannabis seed contains about 28% oil (112 lbs.), or about 15 gallonsper acre. Production costs using these figures would be about $35per gallon.

Some varieties are reported to yield as much as 38% oil, and arecord 2,000 lbs. per acre was recorded in 1999. At this rate, 760lbs. of oil per acre would result in about 100 gallons of oil, withproduction costs totaling about $5.20 gallon. This oil could be usedas-is in modified diesel engines, or be converted to biodiesel using arelatively simple, automated process. Several systems are under

development worldwide designed to produce biodiesel on a smallscale, such as on farms using "homegrown" oil crops.


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Ethanol fuel from food?

The feed-stocks most prominently consideredfor bio-fuel production in the United Stateshave been subsidized crops like corn, soy, and

canola. Unfortunately, given the variousmandates in place meant to boost productionand consumption of corn ethanol, currentfarming methods and processing technology

to make grain ethanol from corn can consumemore fossil-fuel energy than the ethanol itproduces.


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Hemp Cellulose for Ethanol

This approach will involve conversion of cellulose

to ethanol, which can be done in several

ways including gasification, acid hydrolysis and a

technology utilizing engineered enzymes to

convert cellulose to glucose, which is then

fermented to make alcohol. Still another

approach using enzymes will convert cellulosedirectly to alcohol, which leads to substantial

process cost savings.


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Hemp vs. Other Plants

Plant % Cellulose % Hemicellulose % Lignin

Hemp bast 64.8 7.7 4.3

Hemp core 34.5 17.8 20.8

Soft Pine 44.0 26.0 27.8

Spruce 42.0 27.0 28.6

Wheat Straw 34.0 27.6 18.0

Rice Straw 32.1 24.0 12.5Corn Stover 28.0 28.0 11.0

Switchgrass 32.5 26.4 17.8


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Carbon-neutral Ethanol Production

The potential for carbon-neutral ethanolproduction is still a topic of intense research anddebate. An optimistic view of this debate shows

that life cycle assessments point to a reduction ofgreenhouse emissions by more than 80% belowthose of gasoline, as compared to 20-40% (atbest) derived from corn-based ethanol.

This is in large part due to the fact that wastematerial in the cellulosic ethanol process can begasified for energy to power the mill facilities.


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Is It Worth It?

At an average cost of $520 per acre, returns to

farmers will range from $50-$500 profit per

acre. Used in rotation with other crops, hemp

can help reduce herbicide use resulting in

savings to the farmer on production of other

valuable produce.


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Environmental Impact

There are a great number of environmentalimpacts to be considered, including;

Water use. Agricultural operations &

processing of hemp will consume hundreds ofmillions of gallons.

Large mono-crop systems have been

problematic. Though hemp lends itself well tomono-cropping, effective & feasible rotationschemes must be devised.


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The End

It is now 2008, and we are nearing the peak of ouraddiction to fossil fuels. We need to create a morefeasible alternate energy system by building massivewind, solar, geothermal and tidal energy systems, and

establishing energy farms to grow biomass fuels. Ourfederal government still considers hemp to be an illegalplant, however there are many state governmentsplanning for the future and making way for hemp totake its place back on our farms as a significant

agricultural cash crop. Science and history have bothshown that hemp is one of the most valuable cropsknown to man.

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A new twist on an ancient plant