The Corporation For Future Resources (CFR) is dedicated to the efficient conversion of biomass (vegetation) under anaerobic fermentation conditions into renewable resources – methane rich gas – containing on the average – 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide – as well as outstanding compost-fertilizers.

Our proprietary technology is most applicable to tropical and semi-tropical regions that historically support agriculture to be used for energy-compost-fertilizer purposes.

²       CFR’s renewable energy technology, evaluated as meritorious by USDOE,

²       Includes the production of outstanding compost-fertilizers

²       Uses a giant legume, leucaena; or

²       Whole unburned sugarcane and thus 15 to 30% more biomass than burned cane;

²       ( Sugarcane URL: http://wire0.ises.org/entry.nsf/E?Open&project&00031306 )

²       In both instances, the biomass is harvested and cut and

²       Processed to increase particle area using a corn silage harvester or similar harvester

²       Biomass so treated is logistically easy to move;

²       Since digester sites are located within less than a mile of biomass fields;

²       The technology involves very low capital costs

²       In the case of sugarcane nitrogen is needed in anaerobic  processing

²        Legume providing nitrogen -- our legume of choice is, again, leucaena.

²       Product gas -- 60% methane and 40% carbon dioxide

²       Is piped to a central location and used either directly or separated

²       Providing methane for any energy as an exact substitute for natural gas

²       Plus carbon dioxide that, if economically feasible, is separated as a liquid for freezing, carbonation and other uses.

²       The organic  compost-fertilizers -- liquid -- as a foliar or ground spray and a

²       Solid -- an organic compost-fertilizer.

²       On average, 60-70% of the feedstock dry mass goes in the energy direction

²       While the included water and remaining dry mass moves in the fertilizer direction

²       Substantial carbon sequestration is continuously obtained overall

Energy-Crop Anaerobic Fermentation

CFR teamed with MCX Environmental Energy Corp., (MCX), to use a significant modification of CFR's methanogenic anaerobic fermentation technology. In this instance , the process uses a highly convertible woody, semi-tropical, giant legume, Leucaena, as the biomass feedstock rather than the heterogeneous mixture of waste substances usually employed as anaerobic fermentation feedstocks. Furthermore, CFR's anaerobic fermentation system design reduces the cost of the anaerobic fermentation systems by more than a factor of 10.

      Benefits

 1.     Leucaena is a very fast growing, giant, perennial, tropical to semi-tropical legume that grows well on near neutral soils and below about 1,500 meters.

2.     Leucaena when used as the anaerobic fermentation feedstock, undergoes, on a dry basis, 60% conversion  to methane rich gas and carbon dioxide – the unconverted solids form the core of the anaerobic compost – the major ingredient of an organic fertilizer. 

3.     The methane rich gas product fuels an inexpensive, reliable supply of electricity and/or thermal/steam energy.

4.     Of note is that there are sufficient agricultural lands even in Florida such that Leucaena based anaerobic fermentation systems could assist in not only supplying a significant fraction of the energy and fertilizer used in Florida while also removing substantial quantities of atmospheric carbon dioxide.

5.     As is true in many countries in developing areas that do not have indigenous energy sources, but are prime areas for Leucaena agro-energy development, Leucaena based anaerobic fermentation methane rich gas would economically and efficiently supply reliable electric power systems.

6.     This reasonable cost, electric generation coupled with an ample labor force will encourage the establishment of new manufacturing facilities with low facility operations and maintenance as well as significantly foster the use of vacant agricultural land further creating job opportunities in agriculturally based economies.

7.     Additionally , if Leucaena is augmented with other available crop residues, the anaerobic digestion process then produces further quantities of valuable methane, carbon dioxide and organic fertilizer.

8.    Anaerobic Fermentation eliminates the adverse environmental impact of burning and  crop harvest residue decay with the latter, thereby, reducing greenhouse effects due to methane released to atmosphere upon decomposition of tilled crops.

9. The natural anaerobic organic fertilizer, high in slow released nitrogen, also retards soil moisture evaporation, thus reducing the need for irrigation during dry periods and provides natural herbicide qualities.  The anaerobic organic fertilizer can be used repeatedly on crops without adverse effects.

10.This organic fertilizer reduces harmful environmental runoff effects associated with continued use of chemical fertilizers through the organic fertilizer’s ability to localize and minimize the amounts of required plant nutrients.

11. With nominal additional capital investment, a significant quantity of locally produced carbon dioxide for beverage, food processing or other industries can be obtained.

Leucaena -- 50' -- 5 years after freeze – St. Leo, FL.


The photo, above, was taken in 1995. The Leucaena tree shown regenerated from unfrozen roots after the freeze. The original tree is said to have been in place for many years.

Leucaena, as a legume, possesses leaves that are very rich in nitrogen -- the young plants find use as a cattle feed. Similarly, nitrogen is an essential ingredient in methanogenic anaerobic fermentation. Under our conditions, however,  Leucaena that is relatively young, three to six months old, is the preferred fermentation feedstock.  Leucaena can be cultivated as separately spaced trees, next photo, or as closely placed bushes, following two photos. The bush growth pattern follows when plants are placed close together and are   harvested frequently. The best harvest conditions are found when plants are separated by about 6 inches. This is the case in the third photo, below. In our experience, the six-inch configuration, with alleys between rows, leads to convenient harvesting with a Claas harvester, fourth photo, below.

Leucaena grown as closely spaced trees.  The photo, above shows a   4-year old planting with trees 3’ on center.

Leucaena is a perennial whose yields generally increase after cuttings. Above, Leucaena growing on central Florida sand about 16 months after first cutting.  Yield, on planted area, was 25 dry/ton/acre/year

Leucaena, grown on clay-settling areas, reclaimed phosphate lands, in Polk County, FL.  This three-acre, gross, area had been cut in March 2000.  Above, photo shows growth after three months.

Leucaena, at three months after first cutting – as shown in previous photo -- harvested and processed using a Claas corn silage harvester-processor, above.

This growing-harvest strategy can result in yields as high as 25 dry tons per acre-year.

Leucaena, harvested and processed, prepared for use as the anaerobic fermentation feedstock. This product affords an economically feasible basis for energy crop based project development under suitable climatic conditions that exist in may applicable areas of the world.

Contact: Dick  Glick, Ph.D.
  President

Corporation For Future Resources
1909 Chowkeebin Court
Tallahassee, Florida 32301

Phone: 850-942-2022
Email: dglickd@pipeline.com

Sugarcane URL:

http://wire0.ises.org/entry.nsf/E?Open&project&00031306