Analysis of Corn Stover, Cellulose Content of Corn Stover, Lignin Content of Corn Stover

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Background on Corn Stover

Corn stover (also referred to as maize stover) is an agricultural residue similar to straw that is considered to be a substantial potential biorefining resource in the USA - an availability of 200 million tonnes has been estimated, equivalent to more than half the total amount of agricultural residues produced.

This resource is so large partially because of the amount of corn grown in the US, but also because of the amount of residues produced by the crop; it has been estimated that corn in the US produces 1.7 times more residue than other cereals.

This field harvest residue consists of the stalk (around 48% of the total dry mass), leaves (28%), and husks (8%) of the plant, as well as the cob (15%).

For stover and other straws, the amount of residue that needs to be left on the soil to preserve soil fertility and prevent against soil erosion is an important consideration. This is a complex issue and the field stover requirements will vary according to the location and factors such as climate, soil characteristics, tillage type and crop rotations.

Corn stover can be harvested wet or after drying on the field for a period of time. A dry harvest involves the residue being shredded and raked before being left to field dry and at a later point the stover is windrowed and baled. Since this is a multi-pass operation it can be costly and means that grain harvesting and residue collecting operations cannot be integrated. An alternative is to harvest the product wet in which case the shredding, windrowing and baling can take place on the same day as grain harvest with the first two operations possible from the grain harvester itself. The stover can then be ensiled to prevent storage losses.

The target of many researchers developing integrated harvesting practices is a one-pass system that allows for the simultaneous harvest of grain and stover while also leaving enough residue on the field to preserve soil fertility. There is also work on modifying the header of such an integrated combine so that the relative proportions of the stover fractions (cobs, stalks etc.) can be varied according to the end needs of the biorefinery.

Analysis of Corn Stover at Celignis

Celignis Analytical can determine the following properties of Corn Stover samples:

Sugars (Monosaccharides)

Disaccharides and Oligosaccharides

Polysaccharides

Adjusted-Cellulose-Content

Starch

Pectin

Sugar Alcohols and Uronic Acids

4-O-Methyl-D-Glucuronic Acid

Lignin and Extractives

Lignin (Klason)

Lignin (Klason - Protein Corrected)

Lignin (Acid Soluble)

Acid Insoluble Residue

Extractives (Ethanol-Soluble)

Extractives (Water-Soluble)

Extractives (Exhaustive - Water then Ethanol)

Lignin S/G Ratio

Extractives (Water-Insoluble, Ethanol Soluble)

Protein Content of Acid Insoluble Residue

Carbon Content of Acid Insoluble Residue

Hydrogen Content of Acid Insoluble Residue

Nitrogen Content of Acid Insoluble Residue

Sulphur Content of Acid Insoluble Residue

Amino Acids

Fatty Acids

Vitamins

Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C)

Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6)

Niacin (Vitamin B3)

Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)

Cobalamin (Vitamin B12)

Folate (Vitamin B9)

Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)

Retinol (Vitamin A)

Retinol Acetate (Vitamin A Acetate)

Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)

Ergocalciferol (Vitamin D2)

Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate)

Phylloquinone (Vitamin K1)

Major and Minor Elements

Physical Properties

Pellet Length and Diameter

Plant Pigments

Polyamines

Polyphenols

Terpenes

Lignocellulosic Properties of Corn Stover

Cellulose Content of Corn Stover

Each of the different corn stover fractions (stalk, leaves, husks, and cob) have different lignocellulosic compositions.

For example, the cellulose content is typically highest in the stalk, and less in the husks, lower still in the cob, and lowest in the leaves.

Furthermore the composition of these residues will also vary due to the variety of the plant and its productivity.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Cellulose Content

Request a QuoteCellulose Content

Hemicellulose Content of Corn Stover

The total hemicellulose content, and its constituent sugars, varies greatly according to the stover fraction. For instance, xylan content is usually greatest in the cob whilst the husks tend to have more arabinose than in present in the other fractions.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Hemicellulose Content

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Lignin Content of Corn Stover

Each of the different corn stover fractions (stalk, leaves, husks, and cob) have different lignin contents.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Lignin Content

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Starch Content of Corn Stover

The starch content of corn stover will vary according to the anatomical fraction of the plant. For instance, it will be higher in the cobs and lower in the stem.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Starch Content

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Uronic Acid Content of Corn Stover

Uronic acids can be present as side chains attached to the main backbone of hemicelluloses in corn stover. They concentrations of uronic acids tends to be greatest in the nodes, lower in the internodes, and at intermediate levels in the leaves. Corn cobs can also contain uronic acids.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Uronic Acid Content

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Enzymatic Hydrolysis of Corn Stover

We can undertake tests involving the enzymatic hydrolysis of Corn Stover. In these experiments we can either use a commercial enzyme mix or you can supply your own enzymes. We also offer analysis packages that compare the enzymatic hydrolysis of a pre-treated sample with that of the native original material.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Enzymatic Hydrolysis

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Bioenergy Properties of Corn Stover

Ash Content of Corn Stover

As with many other plants, the ash content is typically greatest in the leaf fraction of corn stover.

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Heating (Calorific) Value of Corn Stover

The heating value of corn stover will depend on the relative mass proportions of the different plant fractions and also on the moisture content of the feedstock.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Heating (Calorific) Value

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Ash Melting Behaviour of Corn Stover

Ash melting, also known as ash fusion and ash softening, can lead to slagging, fouling and corrosion in boilers which may reduce conversion efficiency. We can determine the ash melting behaviour of Corn Stover using our Carbolite CAF G5 BIO ash melting furnace. It can record the following temperatures:

Ash Shrinkage Starting Temperature (SST) - This occurs when the area of the test piece of Corn Stover ash falls below 95% of the original test piece area.

Ash Deformation Temperature (DT) - The temperature at which the first signs of rounding of the edges of the test piece occurs due to melting.

Ash Hemisphere Temperature (HT) - When the test piece of Corn Stover ash forms a hemisphere (i.e. the height becomes equal to half the base diameter).

Ash Flow Temperature (FT) - The temperature at which the Corn Stover ash is spread out over the supporting tile in a layer, the height of which is half of the test piece at the hemisphere temperature.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Ash Melting Behaviour

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Major and Minor Elements in Corn Stover

Examples of major elements that may be present in Corn Stover include potassium and sodium which are present in biomass ash in the forms of oxides. These can lead to fouling, ash deposition in the convective section of the boiler. Alkali chlorides can also lead to slagging, the fusion and sintering of ash particles which can lead to deposits on boiler tubes and walls.

We can also determine the levels of 13 different minor elements (such as arsenic, copper, and zinc) that may be present in Corn Stover.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Major and Minor Elements

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Analysis of Corn Stover for Anaerobic Digestion

Biomethane potential (BMP) of Corn Stover

At Celignis we can provide you with crucial data on feedstock suitability for AD as well as on the composition of process residues. For example, we can determine the biomethane potential (BMP) of Corn Stover. The BMP can be considered to be the experimental theoretical maximum amount of methane produced from a feedstock. We moniotor the volume of biogas produced allowing for a cumulative plot over time, accessed via the Celignis Database. Our BMP packages also involve routine analysis of biogas composition (biomethane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, oxygen). We also provide detailed analysis of the digestate, the residue that remains after a sample has been digested. Our expertise in lignocellulosic analysis can allow for detailed insight regarding the fate of the different biogenic polymers during digestion.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine BMP

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Physical Properties of Corn Stover

Bulk Density of Corn Stover

At Celignis we can determine the bulk density of biomass samples, including Corn Stover, according to ISO standard 17828 (2015). This method requires the biomass to be in an appropriate form (chips or powder) for density determination.

Click here to see the Celignis Analysis Packages that determine Bulk Density

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Particle Size of Corn Stover

Our lab is equipped with a Retsch AS 400 sieve shaker. It can accommodate sieves of up to 40 cm diameter, corresponding to a surface area of 1256 square centimetres. This allows us to determine the particle size distribution of a range of samples, including Corn Stover, by following European Standard methods EN 15149- 1:2010 and EN 15149-2:2010.

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Publications on Corn Stover By The Celignis Team

Gottumukkala L.D. Gorgens J.F (2016) Biobutanol production from lignocellulosics, Biofuels Production and future perspectives, Singh R.S, Pandey A, Gnansounou E, Taylor & Francis group

Click to read abstract

Next-generation biofuels from renewable sources have gained interest among research investigators, industrialists, and governments due to major concerns on the volatility of oil prices, climate change, and depletion of oil reserves. Biobutanol has drawn signicant attention as an alternative transportation fuel due to its superior fuel properties over ethanol. e advantages of butanol are its high energy content, better blending with gasoline, less hydroscopic nature, lower volatility, direct use in convention engines, low corrosiveness, etc. Butanol production through (acetone, butanol, and ethanol) ABE fermentation is a well-established process, but it has several drawbacks like feedstock cost, strain degeneration, product toxicity, and low product concentrations. Lignocellulosic biomass is considered as the most abundant, renewable, low-cost feedstock for biofuels. Production of butanol from lignocellulosic biomass is more complicated due to the recalcitrance of feedstock and inhibitors generated during the pretreatment and hydrolysis process. Advanced fermentation and product recovery techniques are being researched to make biobutanol industrially viable.