Re: GAS-L: Gel fuel and much more from cattails

[Harmon Seaver <hseaver@cybershamanix.com>]

On Sat, Sep 14, 2002 at 08:41:06PM +0100, David Reynolds-Lacey wrote:
> Daniel,
> 
> "Coppicing" cattails? - now that is interesting.
> 
> I am assuming that you would require to continue harvesting the cattails as
> a renewable energy source rather than use them on a once every-so-often
> basis.

   The harvesting methods developed are to harvest only in strips, since they
spread by both root and seed.

> 
> Harvesting cattails by pulling them out by the roots may be counter-
> productive if you wished to continue vigorous growth for future harvesting.

   It would depend on what you were doing. In many areas the DNR is trying to
eradicate them anyway, and that is why they would allow you to harvest on public
lands.

> The continued removal of soil with the roots may also eventually increase
> the depth of the water to point where the cattails would not survive,
> although this would take some time and may be replaced by normal silting in
> any event.

    Not so, one of the reasons that cattails are a problem is because water
levels have been raised by dams to the point of being too deep for the other
native species, while cattails will form floating matts that aren't even
attached to the soil at all. Which makes for ease of harvesting with the proper
machinery. One method of havesting involves using a water or air jet type of
"dredge", and which then aids in cleanining all the mud from the roots as well,
something necessary if you want to use them for feed or ethanol production.

(snip)

-- 
Harmon Seaver	
CyberShamanix
http://www.cybershamanix.com

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>