Here I shall discuss about energy that can be obtained from waste materials and animal as well as plant residues using scientific methods. Biomass is nothing but the organic matter produced by plants (both terrestrial and aquatic) and animal residues. It includes crops that are grown specifically for their energy content. In general Biomass can be given a common meaning as organic matter and photochemical approach to harness solar energy. We may ask " what has solar energy to do with Biomass?". Certainly solar energy needs to be mentioned here in this case. All plants have some energy in them only after the process of photosynthesis. And we know that photosynthesis occurs only in the presence of sunlight. Hence it can be easily termed that solar energy is the backbone for Biomass.
Solar energy--- Photosynthesis---Energy---Biomass---Energy generation
Now we shall see what actually biomass is all about...Biomass resources fall into three categories:
1. Biomass in it's traditional form (wood and agriculture residue) - Here biomass is burnt directly and the energy is obtained.
2. Biomass in non-traditional form (converted in to liquid fuels) - Here biomass is converted into ethanol and methanol and are used as liquid fuels in engine.
3. The third category is the fermentation of the biomass anaerobically to obtain a gaseous form of fuel called "Bio-Gas".
Biomass includes wood waste and bagasse which have the potential to generate substantial electric power. All these biomass are highly dispersed as well as bulky and hence contain a large amount of water i.e around 50% to 90%. Thus it is not easy in transporting them over large distances and hence conversion into energy must take place near to the source. However after converting biomass into gaseous or liquid fuels, their energy density increases and hence they become easy for transportation over large distances.
In India 23% of total land area is under forests and fuel wood accounts for about 60% of all energy consumed in the country....
Solar energy--- Photosynthesis---Energy---Biomass---Energy generation
Now we shall see what actually biomass is all about...Biomass resources fall into three categories:
1. Biomass in it's traditional form (wood and agriculture residue) - Here biomass is burnt directly and the energy is obtained.
2. Biomass in non-traditional form (converted in to liquid fuels) - Here biomass is converted into ethanol and methanol and are used as liquid fuels in engine.
3. The third category is the fermentation of the biomass anaerobically to obtain a gaseous form of fuel called "Bio-Gas".
Biomass includes wood waste and bagasse which have the potential to generate substantial electric power. All these biomass are highly dispersed as well as bulky and hence contain a large amount of water i.e around 50% to 90%. Thus it is not easy in transporting them over large distances and hence conversion into energy must take place near to the source. However after converting biomass into gaseous or liquid fuels, their energy density increases and hence they become easy for transportation over large distances.
In India 23% of total land area is under forests and fuel wood accounts for about 60% of all energy consumed in the country....
