Gasification may convert mesquite and juniper wood to a usable bioenergy

Research conducted by Texas Agrilife at  Texas A&M University suggests that biomass gasification is being considered as a possible technology for converting at least 10 million acres of Texas brush into biofuel. The study used an adiabatic bed gasifier to convert mesquite and redberry juniper species found in the Southern Great Plains into usable bioenergy gases. The study found some of the basic thermal properties of these solid fuels, including chemical composition and heat values, and various heating factors affected syngas yields. Syngas, a mixture of carbon monoxide, ethane and hydrogen, can be used as a substitute for natural gas. With limitations for growing bioenergy crops on land normally used for growing food, the vast supply of unwanted woody plants on rangelands is a possible energy source.