Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Physical separation of straw stem components to reduce silica

  • Published:
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this paper, we describe ongoing efforts to solve challenges to using straw for bioenergy and bioproducts. Among these, silica in straw forms a low-melting eutectic with potassium, causing slag deposits, and chlorides cause corrosion beneath the deposits. Straw consists principally of stems, leaves, sheaths, nodes, awns, and chaff. Leaves and sheaths are higher in silica, while chaff, leaves, and nodes are the primary sources of fines. Our approach to reducing silica is to selectively harvest the straw stems using an in-field physical separation, leaving the remaining components in the field to build soil organic matter and contribute soil nutrients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. USDA NASS (2001), US Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service; (Website: http://www.usda.gov/nass/).

  2. National Research Council (NRC) (1999), Biobased Industrial Products: Priorities for Research and Commercialization, National Academy Press, Washington, DC.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Saeman, J. F., Bubl, J. L., and Harris, E. E. (1945), Ind. Eng. Chem. 17, 35–37.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Thompson, D. N., Chen, H.-C., and Grethlein, H. E. (1992), Bioresour. Technol. 39, 155–163.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Shodson, M. J. and Sangster, A. G. (1989), Can. J. Bot. 67, 281–287.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory, PO Box 1625, 83415, Idaho Falls, ID

    J. Richard Hess, David N. Thompson, Reed L. Hoskinson & Peter G. Shaw

  2. Grant 4-D Farms, 600N 707E, 83350, Rupert, ID

    Duane R. Grant

Authors
  1. J. Richard Hess
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. David N. Thompson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Reed L. Hoskinson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Peter G. Shaw
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Duane R. Grant
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to J. Richard Hess.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hess, J.R., Thompson, D.N., Hoskinson, R.L. et al. Physical separation of straw stem components to reduce silica. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 105, 43–51 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:105:1-3:43

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/ABAB:105:1-3:43

Index Entries

Search

Navigation