Reza Aghla Ardyan

M16565

Biomass Resources Final Report

Corn Cobs
Domestic potential and availability
Corn or maize is one of the highest commodity cereal beside rice in the world. In Indonesia, rice
is main commodity cereal in majority, but in some provinces such as Gorontalo province, corn have high
demands. In recent years, corn demand is increasing which also contributes to high production of
corncobs waste in Gorontalo province. Corncobs is one of the sector that not maximilized yet in terms of
economic value in effective and efficient way. Below is the data of maize production nationally.

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Ton/year 16.317.252 17.629.748 18.327.636 17.643.250 19.387.022

And below is the production of maize in Gorontalo province.

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Ton/year 753.599 569110 679180 605779 651979
In table () there is data of ideal corncobs waste production, however should be concerned that the
waste collection cannot be 100% achieved because of the transportation problems and difficulties.

2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Ton/year 200.454 148.986 679.180 605.779 651.979

International potential and availability

The consumption of cereals are varies from country to country. Wheat is preferred in Central Asia,
Middle East, South and North America, and Europe. Rice is major cereal in Asia, while maize is preferred
in Southern and Eastern Africa, Central America, and Mexico.
Country Maize Production in 2012
(MT/year)
U.S. 274
China 208
Brazil 71
Mexico 22
Argentina 21
India 21
Ukraine 21
Indonesia 19
France 16
Canada 12
South Africa 12
Composition
Corn cobs contain 32.3-45.6% cellulose, 39.8% hemicelluloses - mostly composed of pentosan,
and 6.7-13.9% lignin. In terms of biomass fuel we can convert corn cobs into synthetic gas (syngas) in
Reza Aghla Ardyan
M16565

gasification process which will be further explained later. Below is the composition of biomass in corn
cobs.
Biomass Corn Cobs
H2 13.1%
O2 8.61%
N2 56.16%
CO2 9.67%
CH4 1.48%
C2H6 0.015%
Higher Heating Value (HHV) 6066.53 kJ/kg
Low Heating Value (LHV) 2826.53 kJ/kg
Gasification Efficiency 33.58%

How to collect, transport, and store

Two methods of cobs collection are currently in experimental use. One method involves the
collection of corn kernels and cob pieces together. After harvest, the mixture can be fed into a
separatorthat will shorts the grains and cobs. This method will requires additional time and equipment.
The other method is to use of experimental attachment that utilize pneumatic and/or physical means to
separate corn cobs. This method will not affect the initial corn grain separation. The cobs can be collected
in a wagon pulled behind the combine. With this method the cobs can be unloaded relatively without
slowing down the harvest rate.
The moisture content of corn cobs can be a problem for storage and use for energy conversion.
The moisture content in the range of 20-50% which depends on harvest condition. Cob moisture content
has been found to be a critical factor in long term storage. Ambient air ventilation proved to be
advantageous for reducing cob spoilage. Ventilation allowed for quicker reduction of interior moisture
and in turn reduced the cob dry matter loss.
Possible utilization
Thermochemical conversion technologies such as combustion and gasification can utilize the
molecular structure of the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin present in cobs to produce heat energy
and/or synthesis gas. In direct combustion, corn cobs are completely combusted in an oxygen rich
environment to produce heat energy. Direct combustion heating processes could either be fueled
exclusively with corn cobs or co-fueled with coal. The benefits of using corn cobs as a partial coal substitute
include a potentially cleaner emissions stream and the reduction of undesirable emissions and waste ash
(Gani, A. and Naruse, I., 2007). The process of gasification uses high temperatures and an oxygen deficient
environment to create a lower energy producer gas that can be used similarly to natural gas. Gasification
allows 6 for a more controlled partial combustion process and reductions in undesired emissions when
compared to direct combustion.
References
http://renewables.morris.umn.edu/biomass/documents/Zych-
TheViabilityOfCornCobsAsABioenergyFeedstock.pdf
https://www.bps.go.id/linkTableDinamis/view/id/868
http://uap.unnes.ac.id/pkm-bidikmisi/123836025.doc