The BBF's commercial biomass production by growing of fodder sorrel Rumex OK 2 “Uteush“ as an energy crop...


What exactly the energy crop Rumex OK 2 “Uteush“ is?

The answer:

One of the most promising perennial energy crops that has been recently researched and tested in the climatic conditions of the Czech Republic and is currently in the pilot phase of commercial use is the fodder sorrel of variety Rumex OK 2, a hybrid of the English spinach (Rumex patientia L.) and Tien Shan sorrel (Rumex tianschanicus A.Los.). The sorrel is also commonly known as under the name “Uteush”, after its creator, professor Y.A. Uteush who created it as new fodder crop at the Central Botanical Gardens of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences in the end of 1980s.

In the Czech Republic, the hybrid sorrel has been experimentally grown at the trial fields of the Research Institute of Crop Production in Chomutov since 1992 with the aim to verify and to qualify the hybrid sorrel availability for cultivation as a prospective energy crop. Experiments consisted of the complex tests of agricultural cultivation including sowing term, acceptable sowing rate, optimal
fertiliser doses, growth treatment and protection against pest and weeds.

This is potentially the greatest and independent source of renewable energy in the country regions.

The results of the the experimental research proved that besides excellent possibilities for use of hybrid sorrel Uteush as food or fodder crop, it is a very prospective, highly productive energy crop suitable for growing in the moderate climatic conditions.

What are the key advantages of use of hybrid sorrel Uteush as an enetrgy plant?

  • Highly productive perennial crop (10 - 12 years); up to to 200-260 cm of height and high yield of dry biomass - 10-14 t/ha since 3rd year of cultivation;

  • High tolerance to soil and site agroecological
    conditions, sowing term and agricultural methods, low requiremenmts for additional fertilisation;

  • Early ripening - it is possible to harvest the sorrel as dry energy biomass already in July;

  • High reproductive coefficient (yield of seeds 500 kg/ha, while sowing rate is 5 kg/ha;

  • Possibility of use of common agricultural machinery for cultivation and harvesting;

  • Low humidity of ripe biomass (in dry weather 15- 20%) – no need for additional drying;

  • Similar properties of chipped biomass as woodchips – high calorific value of dry bionmass (approx. 17 GJ/t);

  • High temperature of ash fusibility - possibility of use in common woodchips boilers (as opposed to straw);

  • Low total costs of production;


    • What are the advantages of the pellets made from Rumex OK 2 “Uteush“ in
    comparison with the conventional fossil & liquide fuels:

      - high density (energy concentration),
      - low content of sulphur dioxide and other noxious substances in the flue gas,
      - low ash content,
      - pellets are manufactured without addition of binders and do not contain any noxious substances,
      - pellets are fully renewable,
      - pellets are an advantageous option instead of coal, oil or gas.

    Special boilers for pellets are fully automated, without manual control.

    Currently, the cultivation area of sorrel is increasing very quickly. The rapid increase of the hybrid sorrel cultivation in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria for energy purposes is a fact. There are first projects emerging in the Czech Republic and Bulgaria incorporating energy sorrel as a fuel in agricultural sector, public buildings as well as in small biomass-fired district heating sources.

                    

    Specifications of BBF energy crop pellets:

  • diameter 8mm/10mm/12mm
  • length 10-30mm
  • power output 4,4-4,6 kWh/kg
  • min. of pressing 1 kg/dm3 (min 15,51 MJ/kg)
  • weight 700-760 kg/m3
  • water content max 10%
  • abrasive: 3,3%
  • ash 6,2 to max 7,5%
  • sulphur content up to 0,09%
  • chloral content: up to 0, 09%
  • Additives: 0%


    • Please contact us for more information and quotations for the seeds of the energy crop Rumex OK 2 “Uteush“ if your company is interested.