Biomass Conversion: Untapped Reservoir of Clean Energy?

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Elementar Analysensysteme GmbH

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Three Types of Biomass

• Biomass includes three distinct categories:

• Solid biomass, which includes tree, crop residues like rice husk, bagasse, cocoanut shells, jute waste etc., and animal and human waste

• Biogas, which is obtained by anaerobically digesting organic material to produce combustible gas methane

• Liquid biofuels, which are obtained by subjecting organic materials to one of various chemical or physical processes to produce usable combustible liquid fuels

Biomass Conversion to Useful Energy

A number of technological options are available to make use of a wide variety of biomass types as a renewable energy source. Conversion may release energy directly in the form of heat/electricity or, may convert it into another form such as liquid biofuels or combustible biogas. There are basically three types of conversions:

• Thermal conversion . A process in which heat is used to convert biomass into another chemical form

• Chemical conversion . A range of chemical processes may be used to convert biomass into other forms, so that fuel may be used more conveniently, transported or stored

• Biochemical conversion . It involves anaerobic digestion fermentation and composting

According to the 60th annual BP Statistical Review of World Energy, China became the world’s largest energy consumer in 2010 overtaking the USA during a year which saw the rebound in the global economy drive consumption higher and at a rate not seen since the aftermath of the 1973 oil price shocks. China Overtakes USA as Top Consumer as World Energy Demand grows Strongly

Benefits of Using Biomass

It reduces air pollution as biomass emits less sulphur dioxide and nitrogen oxide than fossil fuels. Further, biomass fuels recycle atmospheric carbon minimising global warming impacts, since zero net carbon dioxide is emitted during biomass growth phase. The amount of carbon dioxide emitted is equal to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed from atmosphere during growth phase of biomass.... but there are also other benfits! More on page 3!

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