BIOMAS

S
GROUP 6
 WHAT IS THE NATURE OF
BIOMASS ENERGY?
• Biomass is any organic matter (wood, crops, seaweed, animal
wastes) that can be used as an energy source. Biomass is
probably our oldest source of energy after the sun.
• Biomass gets its energy from the sun. All organic matter
contains stored energy from the sun. During a process called
photosynthesis, sunlight gives plant the energy they need to
convert water and carbon dioxide into oxygen and sugars. These
sugar, called carbohydrates, supply plants and the animals that
eat plant with energy. Foods rich in carbohydrates are a good
source of energy for the human body.
• Biomass is a renewable energy source because its supplies are
not limited. We can always grow trees and crops, and waste will
always exist.
 DIFFERENT TYPES OF BIOMASS
ENERGY
1. WOOD AND AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS
Most biomass used today is home grown energy. Wood
(logs, chips, bark, and sawdust) accounts for about 44
percent of biomass energy. But any organic matter can
produce biomass energy.
Wood and wood waste are used to generate electricity.
Much of the electricity is used by the industries making
the waste; it is not distributed by utilities; it is a process
called cogeneration paper mills and saw mills use much of
their waste products to generate steam and electricity for
their use. However, since they use so much energy, they
need to buy additional electricity from utilities.
2. SOLID WASTE
Burning trash turns waste into a usable form of
energy. One ton (2,000 pounds) of garbage
contains about as much heat energy as 500 pounds
of coal. Garbage is not all biomass; perhaps half of
its energy content comes from plastics, which are
made from petroleum and natural gas. Power
plants that burn garbage for energy are called
waste-to-energy plants. These plants generate
electricity mush as coal-fired plants do, except that
combustible garbage- not coal- is the fuel used to
fire their boilers.
3. BIOGAS
Biogas is produced by microscopic
organisms, such as bacteria and fungi as they
feed on dead plants and animals, as a waste
product. The gasses generated through this
process particularly methane gas can then be
used to produced energy because they are
flammable.
4. LANDFILLS
Landfills are deposit sites for waste material that is
buried in the ground. This method has been used
to dispose of waste for very many years, and it is
still quite common today. The buried waste
produces biogas, which can be used for a
constructive purpose by producing energy from it.
The process entails a piping system that is
introduced into the landfill to release gas, which is
then burned to produce energy and heat.
5. ALCOHOL FUEL
Methane, ethanol, propanol and butanol, the
first four aliphatic alcohols, can be used as
alternative fuel. Out of these four types,
ethanol is by far the most accessible, because
it can be produced in large quantities from
fermenting plant-based material.
Industrial ethanol is not fit for human
consumption, but since it is flammable, it can
be used as fuel. Moreover, it is a superior to
gasoline, which makes it one of the most
important alternative fuel options.
6. BIODIESEL
Biodiesel is yet another central alternative
fuel option. It is produced from alcohol and
vegetable oil or animal oil. In fact recycled
restaurant oil is one of the most important
source of biodiesel. But what makes biodiesel
truly impressive is that t can be used to power
engines, either alone, as pure biodiesel (B100)
or mixed with petroleum diesel in various
rations.
HOW IS BIOMASS ENERGY HARNESSED
AND USED TO GENERATE ENERGY?

• Burning biomass is the most used method. This is also

called combustion. It is like burning fossil fuels. The term
for burning matter to generate electricity is thermal
generation.
• Electricity isn’t produced directly from this combustion.
Burning solid biomass materials heats giant boilers filled
with water. This transforms liquid water into steam. The
steam creates pressure in the boiler. The force of the
steam rotates a turbine. The turbine then moves a wire
coil in a generator.
 HOW IS BIOMASS ENERGY
DISTRIBUTED TO OUR HOMES?

• The distribution of biomass energy to

homes will depend on the specific
technology used and the local
infrastructure. However, in most cases,
biomass energy can be distributed in a
similar manner to other types of energy
such as natural gas or electricity.
EXAMPLES OF BIOMASS ENERGY
THAT ARE FOUND IN OUR HOMES,
COMMUNITY, OR IN OUR COUNTRY
WOOD
Many households use
woods as a source of
energy for heating,
cooking, and other
purposes. Wood can be
burned in stoves,
fireplaces, and furnaces to
produce heat and energy.
 PELLETS
Wood pellets are
another form of biomass
energy that can be used
in pellet stoves or
boilers to produce heat
and hot water. Pellets
are made from
compressed sawdust
and other wood waste
materials.
 ETHANOL
Ethanol is a type of
biofuel made from
crops like corn and
sugarcane. It can be
used as a fuel
additive for gasoline
or as a standalone
fuel in flex-fuel
vehicles.
 BIODIESEL
Biodiesel is a
renewable fuel made
from vegetable oils
or animal fats. It can
be used in diesel
engines as a
replacement for
petroleum diesel.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF BIOMASS ENERGY
• ADVANTAGES
1. RENEWABLE: Biomass is a renewable energy source, which means it
can be continuously replenished.
2. CARBON-NEUTRAL: Burning biomass does release carbon dioxide,
but the carbon dioxide is offset by the carbon dioxide that the
biomass absorbed during its growth cycle. This makes biomass a
carbon-neutral energy source.
3. VERSATILE: Biomass can be used for a variety of applications,
including electricity generation, heating and transportation fuel.
4. LOCAL AVAILABILITY: Biomass can be sourced locally, which
reduces transportation costs and supports local economies.
5. WASTE REDUCTION: Biomass can be made from waste materials,
which reduces the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
 DISADVANTAGES
1. LAND-USE: Biomass energy requires a significant amount of
land for cultivation, harvesting, and processing, which can
impact wildlife habitat and other land uses.
2. AIR POLLUTION: Burning biomass can release air pollutants,
such as particulate matter and nitrogen oxides, which can
contribute to respiratory problems.
3. WATER USE: Biomass energy requires water for irrigations and
processing, which can strain water resources in areas with
limited water availability.
4. COMPETITION FOR FOOD PRODUCTION: The use of
biomass energy can compete with food production, potentially
driving up food prices.
5. LIMITED SCALABILITY: Biomass energy is limited by the
availability of organic materials, which can vary depending on
weather, season, and other factors.