biomass

Chemistry

2022

We explain what biomass is, the types that exist, how it is used, advantages and disadvantages. Also, what are renewable energies.

Biomass is organic matter, such as sawdust, that is used as an energy source.

What is biomass?

Biomass is the unit of organic material which is used as a source of energy. This matter can be from animals or from plants, including organic waste.

Biomass is cheaper than conventional types of Energy, which are produced from fossil fuels. In addition, it is a source of renewable energy, safer and cleaner than traditional fuels because of its way of combustion emits less harmful gases when environment.

Biomass is often used for heating closed spaces, to heat Water or to generate electricity or heat. It is used both in the domestic and industrial environments. In addition, currently from biomass can be produced biofuels, such as bioethanol or biobutanol.

Advantages of biomass

The advantages of using biomass as an energy source:

  • It is a renewable energy source.
  • Helps reduce volumes of waste, with the added benefit of putting it to use.
  • It is found in large quantities.
  • It does not mean an impact greater than greenhouse effect, since when it is used as a fuel it causes less emission of gases that are harmful to the environment.
  • It is quite inexpensive.
  • It can economically benefit rural sectors.

Disadvantages of biomass

The disadvantages of using biomass as an energy source:

  • Its scope is still limited.
  • Its performance is lower than that of other types of energy sources such as fossil fuels.
  • It requires large fields available for its production and for subsequent storage.
  • You can put in risk forest areas.
  • Their distribution channels are not sufficiently developed.
  • It can make the price of some foods consumed by people and animals more expensive because certain crops are used for the production of this energy source.
  • Its energy density is lower than that of fossil fuels.

Examples of biomass

The remains of cereal cultivation can be used to make biomass.

Some examples of organic resources used as a source of biomass energy:

  • Oil residues in the domestic environment
  • Ruminant droppings
  • Wine must
  • Sawdust
  • Sugar cane
  • Cereals such as sorghum, corn, wheat, or barley
  • Pruning waste
  • Branches
  • Beetroot
  • Firewood
  • Leftovers
  • Shells
  • Olive pits

How is biomass used?

For organic debris to become a source of energy, it must undergo a series of biological, thermochemical or mechanical processes. In general, stoves or boilers are used that allow it to be generated.

When biomass is transformed and generates electricity, biofuels or heating, it is called “bioenergy”. For example, when organic waste is used for heating, bioethanol or biodiesel for automobiles, biokerosene for airplanes, steam or heat in the industrial field or biofuels for transport.

Biomass can be used through processes such as the following:

  • Burning This process is carried out in power plants to generate heat or electricity.
  • Digestion. This process is carried out by certain bacteria to produce gases.
  • Fermentation. In this process certain organic remains are fermented for the generation of fuels.
  • Heating or aerated. These processes are used to generate electricity or products of a different order.

Types of biomass

Three different types of biomass can be identified, taking into account what raw material is used for its production:

  • Residual biomass. It is generated from the waste produced by certain human activities. Some of its benefits are that it helps to lower the number of landfills, reduces the pollution and the odds of fire, and is an economical option. For example:
    • Agricultural surpluses. The grains that were not used as food for animals or persons they are used as biofuels or for the generation of electricity. Some surpluses that are used are almond shells, bones animals or the remains of a pruning.
  • Natural. It occurs in ecosystems natural, without the intervention of human being. Plantation residues, branches, conifers, firewood, hardwoods or the remains of a sawmill can be used. In order not to harm the environment, they should not be used extensively.
  • Energy crops. The energy is produced from crops that were produced especially for it. These crops are characterized by their endurance and for its great capacity to adaptation to inhospitable terrain. In this group are sorghum, sugar cane, cereals, pataca and cynara, among others.

Renewable energy

Renewable energies are those that do not use fossil fuels, as is the case with so-called conventional energies. They are those energies that use sources such as wind, the sunlight, biomass or Water.

One of the features of these energies is that, unlike conventional ones, their negative impact on the environment is less. In addition, they can be renewed practically unlimitedly.

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