Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Spatio-Temporal Availability of Field Crop Residues for Biofuel Production in Northwest and Southwest China

  • Published:
BioEnergy Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Developing bioenergy from plant feedstocks is considered an opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and secure biofuel supply. This study is an assessment of the availability of field crop residues for bioenergy feedstocks in northwest China (NWC) and southwest China (SWC). The amount of field crop residues was calculated by analyzing statistical data on crop acreages and yields at the provincial and county levels in the NWC and SWC regions. Total residue mass varied from 58.1 to 62.0 million tons (Mt) in NWC and from 92.8 to 97.2 Mt in SWC from 2008 to 2010. Field residues accounted for 86 % in NWC and 94 % in SWC of the total residue mass; the process residue mass accounted for 14 and 6 % of the total residue mass in the NWC and SWC, respectively. In the NWC region, wheat, maize, and cotton were the main crops, providing 17.0, 14.0, and 8.1 Mt of the field residue mass, respectively. In the SWC region, rice, maize, and canola provided 30.6, 15.2, and 9.7 Mt of the total residue mass, respectively. In NWC, maize cob (1.98 Mt) and cotton seed hull (1.93 Mt) formed the majority of the process residues. In SWC, rice hull (5.9 Mt), maize cob (3.7 Mt), and sugarcane bagasse (3.2 Mt) were the main contributors. Most crop residues became available from August to September in the NWC region, whereas harvesting was spread over the whole year in the SWC region. Converted to standard coal equivalent (SCE), total residues in the NWC region amounted to 32.6–34.1 Mt SCE, with 30.7 Mt of field residues and 2.7 Mt of process residue mass. In the SWC region, the total residue mass was equivalent to 48.7–50.8 Mt SCE, including 42.5 Mt of field residues and 7.2 Mt of process residues. Total crop residue availability for biofuels amounted to 16.9 and 28.1 Mt of field residues in NWC and SWC, respectively. Considering transport conditions, surplus amounts, residue densities, and harvest timings, Chongqing Municipality and Shaanxi province showed the best conditions for producing biofuel feedstocks.

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

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Shen L, Liu LT, Yao ZJ et al (2010) Development potentials and policy options of biomass in China. Environ Manage 46:539–554

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Chen SQ, Li NP, Guan J et al (2009) Contrastive study between the biomass energy utilization structure and the ecotype energy utilization structure in rural residences—a case in Hunan province, China. Renew Energ 34:1782–1788

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Feng TT, Cheng SK, Min QW et al (2009) Productive use of bioenergy for rural household in ecological fragile area, Panam County, Tibet in China: the case of the residential biogas model. Renew Sust Energ Rev 13:2070–2078

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Zheng YH, Li ZF, Feng SF et al (2010) Biomass energy utilization in rural areas may contribute to alleviating energy crisis and global warming: a case study in a typical agro-village of Shandong, China. Renew Sust Energ Rev 14:3132–3139

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Nie J, Zhou JM, Wang HY et al (2007) Effect of long-term rice straw return on soil glomalin, carbon and nitrogen. Pedosphere 17(3):295–302

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Black AL (1973) Soil property changes associated with crop residue management in a wheat-fallow rotation. Soil Sci Soc Am J 37(6):943–946

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Lu F, Wang X, Han B et al (2009) Soil carbon sequestrations by nitrogen fertilizer application, straw return and no-tillage in China’s cropland. Glob Chang Biol 15(2):281–305

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Wu CZ, Yin XL, Yuan ZH, Zhou ZQ, Zhuang XS (2010) The development of bioenergy technology in China. Energy 11:4445–4450

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Fang X, Shen Y, Zhao J, Bao XM, Qu YB (2010) Status and prospect of lignocellulosic bioethanol production in China. Bioresource Technol 13:4814–4819

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Deng CJ, Liu RH, Cai JM (2008) State of art of biomass fast pyrolysis for bio-oil in China: a review. J Energy Inst 4:211–217

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Qiu HG, Sun LX, Huang JK et al (2012) Liquid biofuels in China: current status, government policies, and future opportunities and challenges. Renew SustEnerg Rev 16:3095–3104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Xie GH, Wang XY, Ren LT (2010) China’s crop residues resources evaluation. China J Biotechnol 7:855–863

    Google Scholar 

  13. Sang T, Zhu WX (2011) China’s bioenergy potential. Glob Change Biol 3:79–90

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Liu J, Wu JG, Liu FQ, Han XG (2012) Quantitative assessment of bioenergy from crop stalk resources. Appl Energ 93:305–318

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. National Bureau of Statistics of China (2009) China statistical yearbook. China Agriculture Press, Beijing, pp 464–466

    Google Scholar 

  16. National Bureau of Statistics of China (2010) China statistical yearbook. China agriculture press, Beijing, pp 485–487

    Google Scholar 

  17. National Bureau of Statistics of China (2011) China statistical yearbook. China agriculture press, Beijing, pp 478–482

    Google Scholar 

  18. Guo LL, Wang XY, Tao GC, Xie GH (2012) Assessment of field crops process residue production in different provinces in China. J China Agric Univ 17:45–55

    Google Scholar 

  19. Wei MG, Wang XY, Xie GH (2012) Maturity dates of main field crop residues in different regions of China. J China Agric Univ 17:20–31

    Google Scholar 

  20. Wang X, Yang L, Steinberger Y et al (2013) Field crop residue estimate and availability for biofuel production in China. Renew Sust Energ Rev 27:864–875

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Yang L, Wang XY, Han LP et al (2013) A quantitative assessment of crop residue feedstocks for biofuel in north and northeast China. GCB Bioenergy. doi:10.1111/gcbb.12109

    Google Scholar 

  22. Wei MG, Wang XY, Xie GH (2012) Field residue of field crops and its temporal distribution among thirty-one provinces of China. J China Agric Univ 17:32–44

    Google Scholar 

  23. Liu H, Jiang GM, Zhuang HY, Wang KJ (2008) Distribution, utilization structure and potential of biomass resources in rural China: with special references of crop residues. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 12:1402–1418

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Elmore AJ, Shi X, Gorence NJ et al (2008) Spatial distribution of agricultural residue from rice for potential biofuel production in China. Biomass Bioenerg 32(1):22–27

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Cuiping L, Chuangzhi W, Haitao H (2004) Study on the distribution and quantity of biomass residues resource in China. Biomass Bioenerg 27(2):111–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Jiang D, Zhuang D, Fu J et al (2012) Bioenergy potential from crop residues in China: availability and distribution. Renew Sust Energ Rev 16(3):1377–1382

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Zhou XP, Wang F, Hu HW et al (2011) Assessment of sustainable biomass resource for energy use in China. Biomass Bioenerg 35:1–11

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Tian YS, Zhao LX, Sun LY, Meng HB (2011) Analysis and evaluation on agricultural biomass resources. Eng Sci 2:24–28

    Google Scholar 

  29. IOMOA (Information office of Ministry of Agriculture) (2011) Assessment of agricultural crop residues in china. Agric Engineer Tech (New Energy Industry) 2:2–5

    Google Scholar 

  30. Bi YY, Wang DL, Gao CY (2008) Straw resources, evaluation and utilization in China. Agricultural Science and Technology Press, Beijing

    Google Scholar 

  31. Zeng X, Ma Y, Ma L (2007) Utilization of straw in biomass energy in China. Renew Sust Energ Rev 11(5):976–987

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Xie GH, Han DQ, Wang XY, Lv RH (2011) Harvest index and residue factor of cereals in China. J China Agric Univ 1:1–8

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Brechbill SC, Tyner WE, Ileleji KE (2011) The economics of biomass collection and transportation and its supply to Indiana cellulosic and electric utility facilities. BioEnergy Res 4(2):141–152

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Gao LW, Ma L, Zhang WF et al (2009) Estimation of nutrient resource quantity of crop straw and its utilization situation in China. Trans Chin Soc Agr Eng 25(7):173–179

    Google Scholar 

  35. Wang XY, Xue S, Xie GH (2012) Value-taking for residue factor as a parameter to assess the field residue of field crops. J China Agric Univ 17:1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Li X, Huang YM, Gong JR, Zhang XS (2010) A study of the development of bioenergy resources and the status of eco-society in China. Energy 11:4451–4456

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Sun JC, Chen JH, Xi YM, Hou JH (2010) Mapping the cost risk of agricultural residue supply for energy application in rural China. J Clean Prod 19:121–128

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Di Blasi C, Tanzi V, Lanzetta M (1997) A study on the production of agricultural residues in Italy. Biomass Bioenerg 12(5):321–331

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Liao CP, Yan YJ, Wu CZ et al (2004) Study on the distribution and quantity of biomass residues resource in China. Biomass Bioenergy 27(2):111–117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Rasmussen PE, Allmaras RR, Rohde CR et al (1980) Crop residue influences on soil carbon and nitrogen in a wheat-fallow system. Soil Sci Soc Am J 44(3):596–600

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Han LJ, Yan QJ, Liu XY et al (2002) Straw resources and their utilization in China. Trans CSAE 18(3):87–91 (in Chinese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Cao MZ (2011) Gansu unique straw economic—“Straw utilization plan (2011–2015) in Gansu Province”. Developing 10:102–103 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Kang QH, Zhang JZ, Shao B (2010) Actuality, problems and countermeasures for integrated utilization of the straw of crops in Gansu Province. Chinese Agric Mech 1:35–37 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  44. He ZG, Zhang XF, Tian FP (2009) Tianshui straw present situation and development recommended. Gansu Agric Sci and Technol 8:44–46 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  45. Yuan BF, Xu ZW, Wang L (2011) Accelerate the development of modern agriculture to promote comprehensive utilization of straw. Shaanxi J Agric Sci 57(2):210–213 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  46. Dong ZF, Zhang L, Lin J et al (2010) Potential analysis of crop straw resources and utilization in Shang luo by field survey. Shaanxi J Agric Sci 002:126–128 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  47. Zhang JP (2011) Investigation of Xianyang City straw resource utilization status and development potential. Shaanxi J Agric Sci 57(5):159–160 (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  48. Li JB (2013) Straw status and using ways in Akto County. Xinjiang Agric Sci and Tech 1:47

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Zhou CM (2008) Analysis of current situation and countermeasures in crop straw utilization of Qianjiang district. South China Agric 9:78–79

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the Chinese Universities Scientific Fund (Project no. 2013QJ084).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Agronomy and Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China

    Xiaoyu Wang, Lu Yang & Guanghui Xie

  2. National Energy R & D Center for Biomass, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China

    Lipu Han, Xiaoyu Wang, Lu Yang, Yuguang Zhou & Guanghui Xie

  3. College of Engineering, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100083, China

    Yuguang Zhou

  4. Key Laboratory of Agricultural Water Resources, Center for Agricultural Resources Research, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shijiazhuang, 050022, China

    Lipu Han & Jintong Liu

  5. Center for Crop Systems Analysis, Plant Sciences Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 430, 6700 AK, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Huub Spiertz

Authors
  1. Lipu Han
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Xiaoyu Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Huub Spiertz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Lu Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yuguang Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jintong Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Guanghui Xie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guanghui Xie.

Additional information

Ms. Xiaoyu Wang, as the co-first author, provided the same contribution to this paper as the first author.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Han, L., Wang, X., Spiertz, H. et al. Spatio-Temporal Availability of Field Crop Residues for Biofuel Production in Northwest and Southwest China. Bioenerg. Res. 8, 402–414 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-014-9522-9

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12155-014-9522-9

Keywords

Search

Navigation