COTTON (GOSSYPIUM) PLANT RESIDUE FOR INDUSTRIAL FUEL - AN ECONOMIC-ASSESSMENT

Decreasing fossil fuel supplies have prompted research into alternativ e sources of fuels worldwide, including the use of biomass and agricul tural residues. This paper considers the use of cotton (Gossypium) pla nt residue as a supplemental fuel source for a power generating plant in Southern Arizona. Potential supply is estimated and market conditio ns are analyzed. Partial budgets are used to estimate break-even marke t price of residue as a basis for comparison with commonly used fossil fuels. Though one particular cotton plant residue harvesting method r esults in a lower market price for residue than coal, supply constrain ts and switching costs may deter adoption of residue-based fuel by the power plant. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.