Biological material from plants and some animals that can be turned into fuel is known as biomass. When burned, biomass can create energy in the form of electricity, heat, or chemical energy; however, biomass does not have to be burned to be useful. For example, garbage usually includes plant and animal products, and when left to rot can create a gas called methane, which is often stored to be used for heat and power. There are three types of biomass: biopower, bioproducts, and biofuels.
How it Works
Every plant contains components that can give large outputs of energy through a process known as photosynthesis; biomass takes advantage of these components, as well as the energy found in a plant’s photosynthesis process, to create fuel. A plant is composed of cells, water, and the compounds used in photosynthesis, the process of using carbon dioxide and the sun's energy to provide a plant with the food, or carbohydrates, it needs to grow. Biomass takes the components of a plant and creates a mixture of three-quarters carbohydrates and one-quarter plant matter; these carbohydrates are mixed with other plant matter in order to create chemicals, fuel, or energy.
Biopower
Biopower uses plant matter and converts it to steam. This steam is used to power things such as coal engines, wood stoves, and steam engines. Many people use the simplest form of biomass on a regular basis. Chopping down older trees, harvesting the wood, and burning it indoors in a fireplace or wood stove produces heat. This is a form biopower.
Bioproducts
Bioproducts created from organic plant or animal matter and can be in the form of chemicals, materials, or energy. Some examples include cleaning chemicals made primarily from plants and biodegradable plastics also made from plant material. It is thought that new bioproducts will eventually replace the current petroleum-based chemicals and fuel that most automobiles rely on.
Biofuels
With oil costs rising drastically, biomass is an effective alternative to oil products in the form of biofuel, which can be used to fuel vehicles and is made of plant matter. One example is bioethanol, which is mixed with gasoline and used by some states to fuel vehicles. A combination of gasoline and bioethanol is often preferred because it runs cleaner than straight gasoline and is far more cost effective. The plant matter is converted into a combination of ethanol and alcohol and can be used to replace a percentage of the gasoline being used.
In 2005, more than 200 gas stations began offering an 85% mixture of bioethanol and gasoline. This fuel is cheaper than pure gasoline and is more friendly for the environment. As an added incentive, dealers who offer bioethanol mixtures are now given tax credits of up to $1 US dollar per gallon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is biomass?
Biomass refers to organic material that comes from plants and animals, which is used as a renewable energy source. It encompasses a wide range of materials, including wood, agricultural crops, algae, and organic waste. When utilized for energy, it can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
How is biomass converted into energy?
Biomass can be converted into energy through various processes, such as combustion to produce heat, thermochemical conversion to create biofuels, and anaerobic digestion to generate biogas. These methods release the stored energy in biomass, allowing it to be used for heating, electricity generation, or as a fuel for transportation.
What are the environmental impacts of using biomass for energy?
Using biomass for energy can be more sustainable than fossil fuels, as it is part of the carbon cycle. Plants absorb CO2 as they grow, offsetting the emissions when biomass is burned. However, it's crucial to manage biomass production sustainably to avoid deforestation, biodiversity loss, and soil erosion. According to the International Energy Agency, sustainable biomass could account for 15% of global primary energy by 2040.
Is biomass a carbon-neutral energy source?
Biomass is often considered carbon-neutral because the CO2 released during combustion is roughly equal to the CO2 absorbed during the growth of the plants. However, this balance can be disrupted if biomass is not produced sustainably or if the full lifecycle emissions are not accounted for, including transportation and processing.
What are the most common sources of biomass?
The most common sources of biomass include wood and wood processing wastes, agricultural crops and waste materials, animal manure, and organic municipal solid waste. These sources are abundant and renewable, with wood being the largest source of biomass energy in many parts of the world.
Can biomass be used in transportation?
Yes, biomass can be converted into liquid biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel, which can be used in transportation. Ethanol, typically made from corn or sugarcane, can be blended with gasoline, while biodiesel, made from vegetable oils or animal fats, can be used in diesel engines. These biofuels can help reduce carbon emissions from vehicles.