Why Biomass?

Introduction

The term ‘Biomass’ refers to organic matter which can be converted to energy.

The name ‘Biomass’ was invented in 1975 to describe natural materials used as
energy sources (Bhattacharya S.C., 2003). It is well known that biomass
energy is the oldest source of energy in human history, as it dates back to man's
first fire.

From the present available information and data concerning biomass, it's supply,
at the present, counts for 14% of the world energy sources (IENICA, 2007). In
the developing countries 40% of energy is derived from biomass, while in the
USA it count for 4%, Sweden 14% and Austria 10% (Hall et. al. 1992).

The Process

In biomass, a process called photosynthesis enables plants to capture sunlight

and transform it into chemical energy, as shown in this equation:

CO2 + 2H2 Heat Light

([CH2O] + H2O) + O2
The organic resources that are used to produce energy using these processes are
collectively called "biomass".

The Elements

The main chemical elements in biomass are carbon and hydrogen, with others in
addition, such as Oxygen, Nitrogen and sulfur. The last element, however, exists
only in very small quantities.

The Energy

Biomass energy can be obtained by reversing the photosynthesis process.

The stored energy is released when the chemical compounds within the biomass
materials are broken down.
Biomass is a good source of renewable energy but, generally speaking, it is not a
good fuel, as it typically contains more than 70% air and void space.
Consequently, this low volumetric energy density makes it difficult to collect, ship,
store and use.

Types of Biomass

Biomass includes forest and mill residues, agricultural crops & wastes, wood &
wood wastes, animal wastes, livestock operation residues, aquatic plants, fast-
growing trees and plants, and municipal & industrial wastes.

Therefore, various types of organic materials can be burned to produce energy or

converted into a gas which can be used as fuel.
Research in this area has shown that the net energy available in the biomass
materials when they are combusted ranges from about 8MJ/kg for green wood, to
20MJ/kg for oven dried plant matter, to 55MJ/kg for methane; compared with
about 23 - 30MJ/kg for coal (Fletcher S., et al., 2005).

Types of Biomass Energy

Biomass energy can be divided into two categories: modern biomass and
traditional biomass. In most cases the modern biomass involves large-scale uses
as it tries to replace the conventional fossil fuel energy sources still being used in
various parts of the world. These large scale uses may include forest wood and
agricultural residues, urban wastes, biogas and energy crops. Most traditional
biomass is generally found in developing countries. Biomass materials in this case
may include various types of wood, charcoal, rice husks, animal dung and other
plant residues (Fletcher S., et al. 2005).

There are two main available options for utilising biomass:

1. Construction stand alone (or dedicated biomass) - are defined in the

Renewable Obligation as those which have been commissioned since 1 January
1990 and are ‘fuelled wholly by biomass in any month’ (dti Carbon Abatement,
Technolgies Programme 2005). 2. Co-firing of biomass with other fuels.

We know that 40% of the European Union's energy supply depends on oil
imported from OPEC countries Various research and studies predict that in the
coming years that there will be an increased dependence on oil and gas imports,
this will result in the share of imports in the European Union (EU) up to 70% by
2030 (Ignaciuk A., et al. 2004).

Plants ‘Energy Crops’ Examples

Generally speaking, any type of energy crops can be used as a biomass materials
for the purpose of generating energy, however, considering that the aim of
various biomass projects in general and this project in particular is to generate
energy economically viable on commercial scale, then the selection process in
choosing the most suitable biomass materials would have to undergo strict
testing from scientific and technical factors to the market, business and
regulations factors. Having said that, presently there are a number of popular
examples presently being researched and/or used as an example of the types
biomass materials with possible future commercial use. One of these examples is
‘Short Rotation Coppice’ (Defra. Department of Environment, Food and Rural
Affairs 2002).

The following are few popular examples:

1. Alfalfa (fixes nitrogen in the soil).
2. Willow.
3. Switch grass (protects the soil and the water in watershed).
4. There are a wide range of crops that can be used for biodiesel production,
such as Canola (Rapeseed), Palm oil, Sunflower oil, Soya Bean oil, animal
fat (Tallow) as well as recycled oil (e.g. frying oil).
5. Common crop residues (waste matter).
6. Sorghum.
7. Forestry Crops - Fast growing trees, which should be suitable for
coppicing. Coppicing involves harvesting the tree after a few years and
then allowing the tree to sprout again from the stump, followed by
subsequent harvesting (usually between 2 - 5 year periods).
8. Forestry Residues - Generated by operations e.g. thinning of
plantations, natural attrition, extracting stemwood for pulp and clearing
for logging roads. Various types of work on wood can also generate
large volumes of residue, such as sawdust, bark and woodchip rejects
and off-cuts. There are plenty of these types of by-product materials
around but they are usually not being utilised.

Conclusion

Biomass in general, among other renewable sources of energy, is the science and
technology for a new type of energy many predict would be the challenge during
the 21st Century. The research and investigations of various biomass materials,
for long term commercial global fuel use, is the challenge of today and the
investment for the near future. These investigations are expected to produce the
required materials and technologies to replace the fossil fuel, in particular crude
oil, which will be exhausted sooner or later.

References

Agnolucci P. (2005) Factors Influencing the Likelihood of Regulatory Change in

Renewable Electricity Markets. Policy Studies Institute, 5th BIIE Academic
Conference, St John's College, Oxford
Gunaseelan V.N (1997) Anaerobic digestion of biomass for methane production: a
review. Elsevier Science, Biomass and Bioenergy, Volume 13, Number 1, pp. 83-
114
Biomass Task Force (2005) Biomass Task Force Report to the Government.
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Publications, London.
CVBP Interim Test Burn Emissions Report, 2003.
Defra (2002) Growing short rotation coppice - best practice guidelines.
Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) Publications, London.
Dickerson George W. (2003) Specialty Corns. College of Agriculture and Home
Economics, NewMixco State University Guide H-232
dti Carbon Abatement. Technolgies Programme (2003) Co-firing of Biomass at UK
Power Plant.
DTI (2003) Our Energy Future - creating a low carbon economy. Department of
Trade and Industry (DTI) Publications Cm 5761, HMSO, London.
dti Project report Best Pracrtice Brochure: Co-Firing of Biomass (Main Report).
Report No. COAL R287 DTI/PUB URN 05/1160 2005

Najib Altawell

© N. Altawell, 2008