MESQUITE FOR BIOENERGY RESEARCH

We have initiated a bioenergy project to explore the feasibility of utilizing woody biomass from rangeland woody plants such as mesquite for bioenergy purposes.  Currently we are working to develop a mesquite to biofuel industry for north Texas. 

We have harvested mesquite regrowth of different known ages to begin developing models that determine potential rates of re-harvest.  Current estimates indicate mesquite regrowth will yield sufficient mass to be re-harvested every 10 years.

We have also been testing the operation of a newly constructed mesquite harvesting machine (shown at left).  This machine is pulled by a tractor over previously felled trees and collects the wood debris in a hydraulically powered basket that can dump the material into a transport container.

Link here to a PowerPoint presentation for more details on the Mesquite biomass for bioenergy project.  

Link here to a 2007 Final Report to the Texas State Energy Conservation Office (SECO) that funded a portion of this project.