A presentation on non-conventional energy resources i.e. biomass. The energy obtained from biomass can be used to produce biogas which in turn can be used to produce electricity

1. BIOMASS- NON
CONVENTIONAL
ENERGY RESOURCE
JJ TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS
(www.mechieprojects.com)

2. Biomass is biological material derived from living
organisms. It most often refers to plants or plant-
based materials which are specifically called
lignocellulosic biomass. Lignocellulose refers to plant
dry matter.

3. A biofuel is a fuel that is derived from biological
materials, such as plants and animals. Also biofuel
can still be seen as Fuel derived from organic matter
(obtained directly from plants, or indirectly from
agricultural, commercial, domestic, and/or
industrial wastes). These fuels are made by a biomass
conversion.

4. Sources of biomass
Wood remains the largest biomass energy source to date.
Some other sources of biomass are:
Miscanthus
 switch grass
 hemp
 corn
 poplar
 willow
 sorghum
 sugarcane
 bamboo

5. Conversion of biomass into biofuel
Conversion of biomass to
biofuel can be achieved by
different methods which
are broadly classified into:
Thermal conversion
Chemical conversion
Biochemical conversion

6. Thermal conversion
• Thermal conversion processes use heat as the
dominant mechanism to convert biomass into
another chemical form.
• The basic alternatives of combustion are:
Pyrolysis
Carbonization
Gasification

7. Chemical conversion
• A range of chemical processes may be used to
convert biomass into other forms, such as to
produce a fuel that is more conveniently used,
transported or stored.
• Many of these processes are based in large
part on similar processes, such as Fischer-
Tropsch process etc.

8. Fischer–Tropsch process
• The Fischer–Tropsch process is a collection of chemical
reactions that converts a mixture of carbon
monoxide and hydrogen into hydrocarbons.
• The Fischer–Tropsch process involves a series of
chemical reactions that produce a variety of
hydrocarbons, ideally having the formula (CnH (2n+2)).
(2n + 1) H2 + n CO → CnH (2n+2) + n H2O
where n is typically 10-20

9. Biochemical conversion
• As biomass is a natural material, many highly
efficient biochemical processes have developed
in nature to break down the molecules of which
biomass is composed.
• Biochemical conversion makes use of the
enzymes of bacteria and other micro-organisms
to break down biomass.
• In most cases, micro-organisms are used to
perform the conversion process. One of the
conversion methods is:
 Anaerobic digestion

10. Advantages of Biomass Energy
Its a renewable source of energy.
Its a comparatively lesser pollution generating energy.
Biomass energy helps in cleanliness in villages and cities.
It provides manure for the agriculture and gardens.
There is tremendous potential to generate biogas energy.
Biomass energy is relatively cheaper and reliable.
It can be generated from everyday human and animal wastes,
vegetable and agriculture left-over etc.
Recycling of waste reduces pollution and spread of diseases.
Heat energy that one gets from biogas is 3.5 times the heat
from burning wood.
Because of more heat produced the time required for cooking
is lesser.
It is a more cost effective means of acquiring energy as
compared to oil supplies.

11. Disadvantages of Biomass Energy
Continuous supply of biomass is required to generate
biomass energy.
Due to improper construction many biogas plants are
working inefficiently.
Many easily grown grains like corn, wheat are being
used to make ethanol. This can have bad consequences
if too much of food crop is diverted for use as fuel.
Crops which are used to produce biomass energy are
seasonal and are not available over whole year.
Heat and some pollutants are released into the
atmosphere, adding to global warming

12. Conclusions
When done well, biomass energy brings numerous
environmental benefits—particularly reducing many kinds of
air pollution and net carbon emissions.
Biomass can be grown and harvested in ways that protect soil
quality, avoid erosion and maintain wildlife habitat.
By growing our fuels at home, we reduce the need to import
fossil fuels from other states and nations, and reduce our
expenses and exposure to disruptions in that supply.
With increasing biomass development, farmers and forest
owners gain valuable new markets for their crop residues,
new energy crops and forest residues—and we could
substantially reduce our global warming emissions.

13. References
[1] ADAS, 1992. The potential of miscanthus as a
fuel crop. ETSU ReportETSU B 1354.
[2] Anon, 1999. Willows in the Wind. Country
Landowner, November, pp. 18–19.
[3] Dewey, L., 1916. Hemp Hurds as
Papermaking Material. USDABulletin No. 404.
[4] Hislop, D., Hall, D., 1996. Biomass Resources
for Gasification Plant.ETSU B/M3/00388.

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15. This is purely an academic work and has no financial or other interest.
The results achieved in this should be independently verified.