Evaluating eTuber and Energybeets as Feedstocks for Biofuels & Biogas in South Florida

17-pound eTuberTM next a table Sweetpotato.

Objectives:• Field trials with eTuber™ - yield &

growing protocol• Rotation crops (sugarbeet, sweet

sorghum, others)• Development of protocols to process

into ethanol & biodiesel• Complete economic analysis• Greenhouse gas analysis • Application data for Advanced

Biofuel Feedstock (ABF) designation for eTuber

FDACS Office of Energy Farm to Fuel ProjectPIs: Brian Boman, IRREC

Gilly Evans, TRECAnn Wilkie, Soil & Water Science

Coopeators & Partners

12437 Magnolia Ave, Livingston, CA 95334

NCERC at SIUE400 University Park Dr.Edwardsville, IL 62025618-659-6737

Energy Beet

eTuber™ Production in Florida

Yields enough starch to produce 1,800 gal ethanol per ac

Much less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than other crops

Grows well in nutrient-poor, sandy soils

Heat tolerant & water efficient Recovers well after drought and

heat stress Resistance to nematodes and

insects Doesn’t compete with food

crops for prime land High value protein after

processing

Advantages

Challenges Grown from transplanted

plugs or slips Viruses – rotate 1/3 of

acres with virus-free material each year

Sweet Potato weevil – pesticide application

Energy Beets• Winter crop• 1000 gal ethanol per acre• 200+ lb N, 60-80 lb K2O & P2O5

Sweet Sorghum• Summer crop• 110-135 days• 400 gal ethanol per acre• Ratoon crop if planted by early May• 100 lb N & K2O, 60 P2O5 (EAA data)

Rotation Crops2-year rotation with harvest 11 months/year

SepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul

AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul

AugSepOct

Energy beetSweet sorghum - ratoon cropeTuber

Potential to avg. 2,200 gal ethanol per acre per year with 3-crop rotation

Field trials: Experiments on planting density, rotation crops, fertilizer and irrigation rates, pest & disease control, and planting and harvest times.

Processing: Optimization of protocols for

conversion into ethanol and by-products,

GHG analysis for eTuber from field and processing data,

test syrup as a putative feedstock for e-coli, algae, and yeast to make biodiesel, jet fuel, etc.

Biogas: develop a method of producing biogas using culled sweetpotatoes, vines, and stillage through anaerobic digestion.

Economics: • cost of growing crops, • economic analysis of conversion to

ethanol and biofuels, • market potential analysis, • impact of commercialization on

economic development in FL.

7URSLFDO5HVHDUFKDQG( GXFDWLRQ&HQWHU8 ) ,) $6

AcknowledgementThis research is sponsored by

FDACS Office of Energy and the State of Florida