BIOMASS

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Overview

  • Biomass is the organic matter derived from plants as a result of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process by which solar energy is converted into chemical energy by the plants with the help of the pigment called chlorophyll.

  • 6CO2 +  6H2O + Sunlight + chlorophyll à   C6H12O6 + 6O2 + chlorophyll 

  • This process uses carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight to produce glucose.

  • When we burn the biomass, the oxygen from the atmosphere combines with the carbon in the plants to produce CO2 and water. This CO2 and water are again available for the plant growth and hence the cyclic process continues making the biomass, a renewable source of energy.

  • Biomass Energy is unique because

               - It is available in majority of the geographical locations
               - It effectively stores solar energy and
               - It has renewable sources of energy in the form of carbon which can  be processed 
                 into solid, liquid and gaseous fuels            

  • The vast majority of the rural population of the world  totally dependent on biomass as fuel. Some sources of biomass

- Agricultural Wastes
- Crop Residues
- Wood & Woody Wastes
- Organic Wastes etc.,

  • Biomass does not contribute to global warming. Low levels of sulphur and ash in biomass, prevent acid rain formation. Biomass energy brings in numerous benefits. To name a few,

              - Reduction in usage of conventional fuels.
              - Reduction in environment pollution.
              - Improving the nations Economy.
              - Meets the basic needs of the rural poor
              - Land use competition and land tenure

  • The environmental benefits include reduction in air and water pollution reducing  CO2 emission , greenhouse gases like SO2. 

 Application of Biomass

  • Direct thermal application

           - Boiler
           - Institutional cooking and other thermal application

  • Production of producer gas used as fuel in

          - IC Engines, vehicles
          - Irrigation water pumping /  village water supply

  • Bio fuels applications

          - Ethanol for transport application

  • Generation of electricity

Characteristics of Biomass

         Click here to see characteristics of biomass