Research Suggests Highly Resilient Grass Could Be Used As Biofuel

A team of researchers have found that a resilient grass species traditionally used to add texture to more wild gardens may become the first choice in biofuel production.

9, a:1:{i:0;s:8:”defaults”;}, belt cleaners, Research Suggests Highly Resilient Grass Could Be Used As Biofuel, A team of researchers have found that a resilient grass species traditionally used to add texture to more wild gardens may become the first choice in biofuel production., A team of researchers have found that a resilient grass species traditionally used to add texture to more wild gardens may become the first choice in biofuel production.

According to the study, published in Biotechnology for Biofuels, Miscanthus has the resilience in changing weather conditions, the ability to photosynthesise in colder temperatures and a high level of both carbon dioxide absorption and biofuel yield that it has become a favoured choice for biofuels.

This study is vital not only to increase biofuel production in less ideal conditions but also to avoid using food crops such as corn as a biofuel, and serves as a starting point to developing drought and flood-resistant biofuel crops.

Whilst there are many plants in the Miscanthus genus, the main focus of the research was four particular types of Miscanthus plant, sacchariferous, sinesis, x giganteus and a hybrid bred from all three.

These species are common in Korea, China and Japan and have been used for foraging for millennia, and are already used in biofuel production. A ten-year trial found that per hectare miscanthus was more efficient for producing bioethanol than corn or switchgrass.

They were tested in drought and flood conditions to determine how resilient they are in more extreme weather, and whilst they struggled with a lack of moisture, they were as good if not better in flooded conditions.

This was one of the first major studies about the resilience of a highly used biofuel crop in less-than-ideal conditions.

This makes them suitable for use in fields that easily find themselves waterlogged and therefore are less reliable for other crop growth in wet weather, such as agricultural land in the UK that is not suitable for growing crops.

Biofuels is a type of fuel that is derived from biomass, which is any plant material that can be burned to produce heat or energy.

Whilst technically burning wood on a fire counts as a biomass source, most biofuel generation involves the conversion of these materials into a liquid or gas that can be used in a similar way to fuel.

The source of the fuel is important, as whilst biofuels are renewable, how environmentally friendly they are depends on the type of fuel that is used, and there are implications when farmland is used for biofuel development.

There are three main categories of biofuel, usually classified as generations. First-generation biofuels are derived from sugarcane, cornstarch and other food sources.

This has led to an ethical dilemma where farmers have to decide how they divide their crop yield between food and fuel.

The second generation of biomass includes Miscanthus, as well as other non-food crops, as well as agricultural and kitchen waste. As the former can be grown in areas that would not affect the growth of food, there is immense potential.

Second generation biomass also includes using parts of a crop that previously could not be converted into biofuels such as lignocellulose and other material that needs to be broken down using bacteria.

As well as this there is a third-generation being researched that explores the use of microalgae, which is abundant and capable of significant yields but require a significant amount of research to be developed at scale.

For more information about conveyor belt cleaners for biofuel production, get in touch today., field_544dcaa8220f0, , field_543e9601d7f94, 29

More News

Hoverdale Vulcanising Services

What is Conveyor Belt Vulcanising?

The Essential Role of Vulcanising in Conveyor Belt Durability and Maintenance. Vulcanising is a pivotal process in the manufacturing and

Shopping Basket
× Need help? Click here to chat

MATT BEVERLEY

A time served Mechanical engineer Matt’s background includes many high-profile projects within the Automotive Industry: The Rolls Royce Phantom, Rolls Royce Cullinan, Spyker Le-Mans racing teams, Bentley, Aston Martin, and Airbus A380. This history and knowledge of complex manufacturing and engineering projects have been transferred and further developed into the bulk material handling sector. Matt has work in Europe, North America, Indonesia, and China

He joined the bulk solids and bulk handling industry in 2019 as Managing Director of Hoverdale UK Ltd and subsequently completed a Management buyout in July 2020. The business has grown yearly, increased employment, its customer base, and worldwide reputation, and disrupted the market with groundbreaking innovative technology. Since Matt took over Hoverdale, the company has filed four patents for innovation; one was granted in 2023 for a design to improve bulk handling. The success had been driven by delivering tailored solutions to the waste recycling sectors that keep material flowing out and money flowing in.

Awards Include

  • 2024 – Shapa company of the Year
  • 2024- Shapa Innovation in Technology
  • 2024- MHEA Engineer of the year
  • 2021 – MHEA Innovation of the year
  • 2021- IMechE Innovation award

Current Positions Include.

  • Group Chairman Hoverdale UK Ltd
  • President (MHEA) Material Handling Engineers Association
  • Vice Chairman: IMechE Bulk Material Handling Committee
  • Council Member: (SHAPA) Solids Handling & Particle Association
  • Member: Chartered Management Institute

Matt has been happily married to Julie for 22 years and has 4 children, 3 of which are involved within the Hoverdale group of companies. He is an RFU level 2 qualified coach and referee having been in several head coaching roles at various age groups from under 6’s to adults for his local team Nuneaton RFC. He believes in the core values that rugby teaches of Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline, Sportsmanship and try’s to carry this through in his day to day business activities. He is passionate at brining the next generation of young, diverse engineers into the sector through promotion of apprenticeship scheme and further education routes.

DAVID BARTER

David is an experienced leader, with a background covering Operations, eCommerce, Finance, Compliance, HR and IT. His career spans Banking, Retail and Engineering, spending the majority of his career working for ALDI as they grew to become 4th largest supermarket in the UK, including seven years on their UK board as Managing Director of IT and eCommerce.

David joined Hoverdale’s Senior Management Team in 2023 to seek a fresh challenge in a completely different industry sector. He has applied his approach to Process Improvement, Efficiency, Customer Service and Teamwork to great effect during Hoverdale’s sustained growth.

Married to Jane, with three adult sons between them, David volunteers on the board of the Nottingham Playhouse theatre as well as his local rugby and football clubs. Any spare time he spends enjoying walks with their Golden Retriever, Buzz, who is also regularly seen in the Hoverdale office.

BEN DUCHESNE

Ben is a time serviced field service engineer in the busy waste and recycling sector, who’s career moved into to managing service teams and beyond. Originally beginning his career with a HGV repair and maintenance apprenticeship with IVECO, from there travelling and working in multiple countries moving towards waste processing shredders.

Ben joined the Hoverdale team in September 2024 seeking to apply his extensive knowledge to a new area. His values and ethics fit perfectly within the Hoverdale ethos.

He is happily married to Kristina, with 4 wonderful young children; 14, 11, 8 and 5. We the children he doesn’t get much spare time. He is a family man, who enjoys spending as much time with them as possible.