Systems study of fuels from sugarcane, sweet sorghum, sugar beets, and corn. Volume V. Comprehensive evaluation of corn. Task 77, final report

Results of field interviews, literature searches, and analysis are reported. Information on the economics of energy production from corn silage, grain, and residues is presented. Three conversion systems are considered in detail. They are microbiological, hydrolytic, and thermochemical conversion processes. Microbiological conversion processes include: production of synthetic natural gas by anaerobic digestion of corn stover, possibly accompanied by the production of papermaking fiber; and the production of ethanol from corn. Hydrolytic conversion processes discussed include the hydrolysis of corn residues and other lignocellulosic materials and the production of furfural from corn stover. Thermochemical processes considered include the Purox Process and Syngas Recycling Corporation Process. The methods for derivation of economic parameters and a list of chemicals that could be derived from corn are included in the two appendices. It is concluded that corn can make a limited contribution to the future U.S. fuels supply. There are long-range technical improvements in the processing of the residues from corn grain production that could lead to brighter prospects, but the state of the art is in an embryonic or conceptual stage. Speculative research ideas center on the hydrolytic conversion processes mentioned above. (JGB)