Biomass Feedstock Storage for Quantity and Quality Preservation - Engineering and Science of Biomass Feedstock Production and Provision - page 181

Fig. 7.8 Trends in dry matter digestibility, % lignin content, and nonstructural carbohydrates
content (all as percent dry matter), as a function of plant age. These relationships were extrapolated
from data reported in Jung et al. [ 32 ] and Cherney et al. [ 33 ] on 36 forages including C3 legumes
and C3 and C4 grasses

The digestible dry matter, nonstructural carbohydrates, and lignin contents ver-
sus plant age shown in Fig. 7.8 were extrapolated from findings reported by Chaves
et al. [ 41 ], Jung et al. [ 42 ], and Cherney et al. [ 43 ].
Models resulting from analytical methods for estimating lignin and sugar content
and biomass digestibility based on plant age can be used to select a biomass harvest
date at which biomass quantity and digestibility are optimized.

7.6 Selecting a Storage Method

As explained in Rentizelas et al. [ 44 ], storage can be the costliest step in the supply
chain of biomass. The supply is seasonal while the storage facility cost has to be
justified year round. Therefore, selection of the appropriate storage method is criti-
cal. Table 7.1 provides a qualitative comparison between different storage options,
which can be used as a basis for further selection using quantitative information.
The final selection of the storage option will depend on a number of factors such as
quantity of feedstock to be handled, form of the feedstock, expected duration of
storage, regional weather conditions, end use of the feedstock, transportation dis-
tances before and after storage, availability of land, availability of capital, and infra-
structure availability.