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BIOMASS
RENEWABLE
ENERGY
SOURCE
SEE-EU Tool Brasov, June 2007
BIOMASS AS FUELS
The continuous depletion of global fossil fuel energy generated increasing need for alternative sources of energy. Biomass renewable energy source derived through photosynthesis converted into direct energy / energy-carrier compounds by: direct combustion, anaerobic digestion systems, distillation, gasification, chemical / biochemical hydrolysis. Biomass numerous sources, by-products from timber industry, agricultural crops, raw forest material, household waste, demolition wood. Biomass does not add carbon dioxide to atmosphere because absorbs the same amount of carbon in growing as releases when consumed as fuel. Biomass combustion is much less acidifying than coal (low sulfur content), ashes from biomass, can be recycled (low in heavy metals). Biomass 70 billion tons annual production and 1800 billion tons stored on the earth. Use of biomass diversified in 6 "F" fields: Food, Feed, Fuel, Feedstock, Fiber, Fertilizer. Biomass derived from photosynthesis converts carbon dioxide and water glucides plant tissues containing solar energy trapped in their chemical bonds (C,H,O). The amount of energy fixed by plants in this way = Gross Primary Production (GPP). Some energy used by plants to grow the amount available in tissues / biomass Net Primary production (NPP) 75 % of the GPP.
SEE-EU Tool Brasov, June 2007
BIOMASS AS FUELS
Elemental C and H ultimate fuel (combination of C+H) differing in thermal content heat of combustion of C= 34.4GJ/t and of H= 141.9GJ/t. Elementary C is the principal component of coal and its heat of combustion equates the coal heat of combustion. Hydrogen is not (yet!) commonly available as fuel. Oil and gas fall between these limits, since they contain both C and H. For paraffins the longer the C chain in molecule, the more nearly the weight ratio H:C approaches 1:8, corresponding to 12.5% H (theoretical value of chain methylene units (CH2) of infinite length. The greatest ratio H:C in methane, CH4 H accounts for 25% of molecule weight methane special position as hydrocarbon fuel the highest thermal content, 55.7% GJ/t compared with 44.0GJ/t for typical oil.
Heats of combustion of major biomass components, major biomass types and major fossil fuels
Substance
Cellulose Starch Fats Protein Lignin Lignin Grass Wheat straw Peanuts, rapeseed
Wood Meat
Oil Bituminous coal Anthracite SEE-EU Tool Brasov, June 2007
4200 5800
10500 l8000 8700
BIOCHEMICAL PROCESSES
The energy requirements of ethanol produced from different substrates by microbial fermentation
Physical inputs Substrate Chemicals Water Sugar cane 7.27 0.60 0.30 Cassava 19.19 0.89 0.38 Timber 12.67 4.74 0,80 Straw 4.37 4.74 0,80
Electricity
Fuel oil Inputs Total
7.00
8.00 0.46 24
10.47
29.03 1.21 61
175.7
42.13 3.34 239
166.74
42.13 3.34 222
Production of one gallon of methanol requires about 100 cubic feet of natural gas.
Using a biomass feedstock, the methanol production process begins with gasification (high pressure and temperature). The resulting synthesis gas is composed of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The synthesis gas must be scrubbed to remove tars and methane. A catalyst is added, and the gas is condensed into liquid methanol. 1.2 billion gallons of methanol in U.S. is used to make MTBE (methyl tertiary butyl ether), a gasoline additive.
a higher octane than gasoline, but half the energy content. The high
Methane gas derived from biomass in ancient time used for generation of mechanical, electrical and heat energy. Methane is now used as a fuel source for domestic / industrial purposes converted to methanol used as fuel in internal combustion engines.
After CO2, methane is considered to be the next most important greenhouse gas expected to contribute 18% of future warming. The microbiology of methane production complex, involving mixtures of anaerobic microorganisms produced in 3 biological phases, requiring specific microbiological parameters. The initial stage solubilisation of complex molecules (cellulose, fats, proteins) soluble, low molecular weight products converted to organic acids. Final phase of microbial activity these acids (acetic acid) decomposed by the methanogenic bacteria to methane and CO2. Methanogenesis under controlled conditions monitoring the environmental variables: temperature, pH, moisture level, agitation, raw material input and balance. Biogas = flammable mixture: 50-80% methane, 15-45% CO2, 5% water trace gases. 19 kg of dry organic matter produce 3 m3 of biogas 3 h of cooking, 3 h of lighting or 24 h of refrigeration. Biogas furnish a considerable part of the worlds energy.
China is the largest user 7 million biogas units providing the equivalent energy of 22 millions of coal. Biogas combustions has been used to heat steam, to drive electricity turbines, etc.
CONCLUSIONS
In the Kyoto Protocol, Europe assumed the commitment to reduce CO2 emissions by 8% until 2005. The White Paper of the European Commission "Renewable Sources of Energy" considers it possible to double the share of renewable energy until 2010, attributing major importance to bioenergy. Since beginning of 1980s a number of studies on energy and environmental efficiency of alternative fuels was carried out confirming the positive energy balance with 1 unit fossil energy 2-3 units of renewable fuel can be produced. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is confirmed CO2 reduction expands from 25 to 80 %. The differences in the results depend on the agricultural practice, the chain of procedures, but also on the quality of the data and the level of knowledge when the study was carried out. Biomass such as forest, agricultural and animal residues and industrial and domestic wastes can be converted by physico-chemical and/or fermentation processes to clean fuel and petrochemical substitutes. Biomass will play a major role in future as renewable energy source. The future studies will focuss on the production of fuels and chemicals from biomass.
REFERENCES
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