Biomass and Bio-energy
Biomass is a renewable source of energy which may be defined as “the waste
material of living beings and the dead parts of the living being, i.e., plants, trees and
animals.” It includes cattle dung, wood, sewage, agricultural wastes or crop residues
such as bagasse and rice husk. Biomass also includes biodegradable organic wastes
from industries like sugar mills, breweries etc.
Biomass fuel is burned to release energy. It may be of three types:
i. Solid biomass fuel: It includes wood, charcoal, animal dung and peat.
ii. Liquid biomass fuel: Biomass can be converted to liquid fuels, especially
methanol and ethanol, which can be used in internal combustion engines of
automobiles.
iii. Gas biomass fuel: Biomass, particularly animal waste, can also be converted into
biogas in biogas digesters, by using the process of anaerobic microbial
decomposition. Biogas is a clean anaerobic fuel whose
combustion process produces fewer pollutants than
other combustible energy sources.
Biogas:
Biogas is a mixture of gases having methane as a main
component. When organic matter undergoes anaerobic
decomposition (≡ microbiological decomposition in
absence of free oxygen) methane, ammonia, hydrogen
and carbon dioxide are released. This mixture of gases
is called biogas in which methane is a combustible
gas.
Composition- CH4 – 55-60%, H2 – 7.4%, CO2 – 25-30%, N2 – 2.6%, H2S – Traces.
Advantages-
(i) Ecofriendly – does not produce smoke
(ii) Cheaper fuel
(iii) No storage problem – directly used from bio gas plant through pipes
(iv) Spend slurry can be used as natural manure (fertilizer)
Limitations-
(i) Gober gas should be used within 10 meters, (ii) It needs large area, (iii) Bad smell
from its plant
Application-
(i) Used as a domestic fuel in many villages, (ii) Used for lightning and power purposes
Biomass is a renewable source of energy which may be defined as “the waste
material of living beings and the dead parts of the living being, i.e., plants, trees and
animals.” It includes cattle dung, wood, sewage, agricultural wastes or crop residues
such as bagasse and rice husk. Biomass also includes biodegradable organic wastes
from industries like sugar mills, breweries etc.
Biomass fuel is burned to release energy. It may be of three types:
i. Solid biomass fuel: It includes wood, charcoal, animal dung and peat.
ii. Liquid biomass fuel: Biomass can be converted to liquid fuels, especially
methanol and ethanol, which can be used in internal combustion engines of
automobiles.
iii. Gas biomass fuel: Biomass, particularly animal waste, can also be converted into
biogas in biogas digesters, by using the process of anaerobic microbial
decomposition. Biogas is a clean anaerobic fuel whose
combustion process produces fewer pollutants than
other combustible energy sources.
Biogas:
Biogas is a mixture of gases having methane as a main
component. When organic matter undergoes anaerobic
decomposition (≡ microbiological decomposition in
absence of free oxygen) methane, ammonia, hydrogen
and carbon dioxide are released. This mixture of gases
is called biogas in which methane is a combustible
gas.
Composition- CH4 – 55-60%, H2 – 7.4%, CO2 – 25-30%, N2 – 2.6%, H2S – Traces.
Advantages-
(i) Ecofriendly – does not produce smoke
(ii) Cheaper fuel
(iii) No storage problem – directly used from bio gas plant through pipes
(iv) Spend slurry can be used as natural manure (fertilizer)
Limitations-
(i) Gober gas should be used within 10 meters, (ii) It needs large area, (iii) Bad smell
from its plant
Application-
(i) Used as a domestic fuel in many villages, (ii) Used for lightning and power purposes
