Nebraska firm makes corn pellets that burn like coal

Lincoln Journal Star ^ | Mon August 31, 2009

[posterchild]

OMAHA - A Nebraska company has come up with a way to make pellets that burn like coal from all the leftover parts of a corn plant.

Next Step Biofuels' Russ Zeeck says these corn pellets could be a new form of renewable energy. They are made from the corn stalks, leafs and cobs left behind after harvest.

Plus, converting the corn plants into pellets makes them easier to ship. Zeeck says coal-fired power plants can burn the corn pellets along with coal. Doing so might help reduce pollution, and the corn pellets would be considered a renewable source of energy.

[Obadiah]

Oh, great. A new way to burn our food.

[posterchild]

Are the ‘leftover parts’ currently used to replenish the soil for the next year’s crop?

[Zeddicus]

The real question: does it take more energy to produce the pellets than the pellets give back when burned?

[krb]

Are the ‘leftover parts’ currently used to replenish the soil for the next year’s crop?

Perhaps somewhat, but I know they currently make silage from it.

[crusty old prospector]

The real question: does it take more energy to produce the pellets than the pellets give back when burned?

Is that with or without the subsidies?

[posterchild]

I’ll be impressed when someone finds a way to make tortillas and whiskey out of coal.

[posterchild]

Figured there had to be some current use for it. Wonder if any of the ‘leftovers’ are currently surplus though.

[RonF]

I’m not sure this is what you’re looking for, but corn is used to make bourbon, not whiskey.

[highnoon]

>>>Oh, great. A new way to burn our food.<<<

Exactly what I was thinking. Here in Texas, the drought has been so bad that lots of farmers are having to bale their corn refuse to feed cattle, because the coastal isn’t making a go of it this year.

[RJS1950]

No, from the leftover parts like the husks, the stalks, cobs; unless you are eating those.

[ArrogantBustard]

No, from the leftover parts like the husks, the stalks, cobs; unless you are eating those.

I eat them regularly ...

It's called "beef".

[dblshot]

The best use for corn IMHO.
When the Scots-Irish settled in the Appalachians they went to making their wiskey with what was available, corn. It was named for a county in Kentucky where it was made... Bourbon County. Bourbon is corn whiskey. Moonshine is bottled between about 85 and 150 proof and is also made from corn, with a bunch of sugar. A proper moonshine vat will smell like skunk from all the yeast in the fermentation process. Thus its called sour mash. Some of the best sour mashes on the market today are aged in oak barrels for years where they pick up that caramel coloring. Straight moonshine can be as clear as water. Read Riding With the Devil for a good history of moonshine and the origins of NASCAR. Bottoms Up!

[Bigg Red]

They are made from the corn stalks, leafs and cobs....

%%%
Leafs?

Otherwise, sounds like promising technology.

[greatplains]

Very common to leave the “leftover parts” (stalks) in the field and turn cattle on the field to graze them down.

Good question from another post - is the energy required to make the pellets low enough to justify the product?

[CharlesWayneCT]

I believe silage is not just the leftovers from corn harvest, but a different way of harvesting which uses all the parts, including the edible corn kernels.

I don’t think you can make silage just out of the stalks and leaves, but I could be wrong.

[Moonman62]

This make a lot more sense than ethanol from the part we eat.

[SunkenCiv]

Livestock are angry that their food supply is going to be burned. /sarc

The Bum Rap on Biofuels
American Thinker | 5-13-08 | Herbert Meyer
Posted on 05/14/2008 3:59:06 AM PDT by Renfield
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2015711/posts

Campaign to vilify ethanol revealed
ethanol producer Magazine | May 16, 2008 | By Kris Bevill
Posted on 05/17/2008 9:22:13 AM PDT by Kevin J waldroup
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2017389/posts

[RJS1950]

I wouln’t worry, silage is only part of their diet and besides, fodder is harvested while green and kept succulent by partial fermentation. The stalks, husks and cobs used for the pellets are not green nor succulent.