Biomass Energy

What is biomass ? Simply defined, biomass is all plant material, or vegetation, either raw or processed, wild or cultivated. Examples of this energy source include: - fast growing trees and grasses - agricultural residues like used vegetable oils, wheat straw, or corn - wood waste like paper trash, yard clippings, sawdust, or wood chips methane that is captured from landfills, livestock, and municipal waste water treatment.

Biomass is stored solar energy that man can convert to electricity, fuel, and heat. Through photosynthesis the energy from the sun is stored in the chemical bonds of the plant material. Typically biomass energy comes from three sources: agricultural crop residues, municipal and industrial waste, and energy plantations. In addition, crops such as corn, sugar beets, grains, and kelp can be grown specifically for energy generation. Crops that make good energy resources have a high yield of dry material and use minimal land; the crop should also generate more energy than its production consumes.

History of Biomass

Prior to the industrial revolution, biomass satisfied nearly all of man's energy demands. Up until the 1860s, the United States used biomass, in the form of wood, for nearly 91% of all energy consumption. In 1992. biomass generated $1.8 billion in personal and corporate income and employed 66,000 workers. Although presently the majority of humankind's energy requirements are fulfilled by fossil fuel combustion, 14% of the world still utilizes biomass.

How Much Biomass is There? The United States has enough land and agricultural networks to sustainably replace half of the nation's gasoline use or all nuclear energy. The thousands of tons of manure, piles of sawdust, and mounds of agricultural waste all have the potential to generate energy. Currently, the world population uses only about 7% of the annual production of biomass. We are only partially utilizing nature's abundant and renewable resource. How is Biomass Converted? The least costly, most common, and simplest method is direct combustion or burning of the biomass which produces energy for activities such as heating or cooking. Currently, numerous technologies exist that convert organic material to commercial energy. The list below represents only a sample of the many ways in which biomass can be used: Alcohol Fermentation With alcohol fermentation starches are converted to sugar and then to fuel alcohol. This alcohol is then distilled and separated. With yeast, materials such as wheat, barley, potatoes, and sawdust can be converted to alcohol. Currently, ethanol is the product from fermentation that is used in internal combustion engines as alternative fuel. Landfill Gas Decomposing organic waste generates gas as it is anaerobically digested. Approximately 50 percent of this is methane-a major factor of natural gas. People have developed ways to harness this methane and use it for energy. An example of this is Foster Farm in Middlebury, Vermont that uses cow manure to power the entire dairy farm! Gasification The newest method for electricity generation is known as gasification. This method captures 6570% of the energy present in solid fuels by first converting it to combustible gases. These gases are then burned, like we currently burn natural gas, and create energy. The technologies for this synfuel (synthetic fuel) are still new and therefore not quite ready for commercial production. Adventages and Disadventages of Biomass Energy Advantages of Biomass Energy: 1) Its a renewable source of energy. 2) Its a comparatively lesser pollution generating energy. 3) Biomass energy helps in cleanliness in villages and cities. 4) It provides manure for the agriculture and gardens. 5) There is tremendous potential to generate biogas energy. 6) Biomass energy is relatively cheaper and reliable.

7) It can be generated from everyday human and animal wastes, vegetable and agriculture leftover etc. 8) Recycling of waste reduces pollution and spread of diseases. 9) Heat energy that one gets from biogas is 3.5 times the heat from burning wood. 10) Because of more heat produced the time required for cooking is lesser. 11) Pressure on the surrounding forest and scrubs can be reduced when biogas is used as cooking fuel. 12) It is a more cost effective means of acquiring energy as compared to oil supplies. As oil supplies are getting depleted day by day, it is becoming a costly commodity. 13) Growing biomass crops use up carbon dioxide and produces oxygen.

Disadvantages of Biomass Energy: 1) Cost of construction of biogas plant is high, so only rich people can use it. 2) Continuous supply of biomass is required to generate biomass energy. 3) Some people dont like to cook food on biogas produced from sewage waste. 4) Biogas plant requires space and produces dirty smell. 5) Due to improper construction many biogas plants are working inefficiently. 6) It is difficult to store biogas in cylinders.

7) Transportation of biogas through pipe over long distances is difficult. 8) Many easily grown grains like corn, wheat are being used to make ethanol. This can have bad consequences if too much of food crop is diverted for use as fuel. 9) Crops which are used to produce biomass energy are seasonal and are not available over whole year.