Biomass is green energy that can be used to power automobiles, electrical systems and contribute to the creation of numerous helpful products. There are many sources of biomass including decaying vegetation, manure and other organic waste materials. Biomass has traditionally been used to power vehicles and for heating. However, there are news ways to utilise biomass and its by-products.
Biogas
This is the gas produced by any type of organic material that can be burned to produce electricity. Energy is produced when biomass, in the form of waste wood or agricultural products, is burnt. However, the direct burning of biomass releases substantial amounts of greenhouse gases into the environment. Transforming biomass materials into gas before burning removes some of the toxins. In addition, burning gases releases fewer greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.
Bio Pellet Heating
Bio pellets are small, combustible materials made from biomass products such as sawdust, waste paper, bark and organic waste materials. They can be used to heat homes during the winter months. Bio pellets are burned in special appliances specifically designed for this purpose. It is important to consider various factors before purchasing bio pellet heating appliances for your home. The most important factor to consider is the size of the home to be heated.
Biomass Products
Biomass gas commonly known as biosynthesis gas is a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen gases. It is produced by heating biomass materials in oxygen. Biosynthesis gas is instrumental in the production of other products such as plastics and acids, which can be used to make various products. Biomass materials are also important ingredients in the production of various products such as antifreeze and artificial sweeteners.
Most petroleum-based products can also be made using biomass materials. The production of the products using biomass materials often requires less energy to manufacture.
Biomass Boilers
Many native communities around the world use biomass materials to heat their houses and buildings. Such communities are now using boilers to burn waste wood from the forest surrounding their villages. The boilers have helped these communities offset the costs of using heating oil. Small trees are fed into heavy-duty wood chippers to create chips that power the boilers.
How Biomass Energy Works
Distinguishing biomass energy from other forms of energy at the consumption level is virtually impossible. The main difference between biomass energy and other forms of energy is the source. Biomass is created from organic materials such as wood, leaves, food waste, paper and other items considered waste.
Biomass fuel sources are green; that is they do not release substantial amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and do not pose serious risks to the environment like other energy sources such as nuclear energy. Although carbon is emitted during the production of biomass energy, it does not cause an atmospheric imbalance because the carbon remains in the carbon cycle.
Biomass energy has many uses. The simplest way to use biomass to produce energy is through burning. The energy created can be used directly for heating and lighting or be converted and used to produce electricity. Another use of biomass is mulching, which converts organic materials from biomass into manure.
A high-tech use of biomass involves transforming it into a more combustible material. One of the high tech processes used to transform biomass into energy is known as hydrogasification. In this process, hydrogen gas is added to biomass to produce highly flammable methane.
Another high tech biomass conversion process is hydrogenation. This involves converting biomass into oil by combining it with carbon monoxide gas. Other methods can be used to convert biomass into fuels that can be used to power vehicles.
Aaron Williams is a biomass boiler installer for Amber Green Heating. When he’s not installing biomass boilers he likes to blog about the industry.
