This document discusses biomass energy. It defines biomass as organic material from living organisms that can be burned for energy. Common biomass resources include wood, animal residues, and crops. There are various types of biofuels that can be produced from biomass through processes like fermentation, gasification, and pyrolysis. Biomass can be converted to biofuels or used directly by burning it. While biomass is a renewable energy source, it also has disadvantages like low energy density and potential pollution from burning. Applications of biomass energy include use for cooking, electricity production, and as a fuel for engines.

1. G.L BAJAJ INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY & MANAGEMENT,
GR. NOIDA
DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Prepared By
Mr. VISHAL SHANKAR SRIVASTAV
(Asst. Prof. ) 1
Topic – Biomass Energy

2. Content
• What is Biomass?
• Biomass Resources.
• Types
• Biomass Conversion
• Working
• Advantages and disadvantages
• Applications
• References
2

3. What is Biomass[1]
• Biomass is organic, meaning it is made of material that comes from living
organisms, such as plants and animals.
• The most common biomass materials used for energy are plants, wood, and
waste. These are called biomass feedstock.
• It is a renewable source of energy.
• Biomass contains stored energy from the sun (Plants absorb the sun's energy in
a process called photosynthesis).
• Biomass can be burned directly or converted to liquid biofuels or biogas that
can be burned as fuels.

4. Biomass Resources:
1. Animal Residues
2. Wood
3. Crops
4. Sewage (solid waste)
5. Alcohol Fuel
6. Kitchen Wastage, etc.
Fig 2: Types of Biomass[3]

5. Types of Bio Fuels[6]:
First-generation biofuels refer to the fuels that are produced through well-
known processes such as cold pressing/ extraction, transesterification,
hydrolysis and fermentation, and chemical synthesis.
The resulting fuels have been derived from sources such as starch, sugar, animal
fats, and vegetable oil. First generation biofuels are already established in the
fuel markets and usually produced from fuel crops.
The most popular types of first-generation biofuels are biodiesel, vegetable oil,
bioethanol, and biogas.
Second-generation biofuels are produced through more advanced processes,
including hydro treatment, advanced hydrolysis and fermentation, and
gasification and synthesis. Second-generation biofuels are not yet commercial
on a large scale as their conversion technologies are still in the research and/or
development stage.

6. Bio Fuels Example
1. Fuelwood
2. Charcoal
3. Producer Gas
4. Bioethanol
5. Biogas
6. Biodiesels, etc.

7. Top Biofuel Crops
1. Switch grass
2. Wheat
3. Sunflower
4. Cottonseed oil
5. Soy
6. Jatropha
7. Palm oil
8. Sugar cane
9. Canola
10. Corn

8. Biomass Conversion Methods[4]:
There are four ways:
1. Burning: We can bum biomass in special plants to produce steam for making
electricity, or we can burn it to provide heat for industries and homes.
2. Bacterial Decay: Bacteria feed on dead plants and animals, producing a gas
called methane. This is a natural process that happens whenever waste decays.
Methane is the same thing as natural gas, the gas sold by natural gas utilities.
3. Fermentation: Adding a yeast to biomass produces an alcohol
called ethanol. This is how wine, beer, and liquor are made. Wine is just fermented
grape juice.
4. Conversion: Biomass can be converted into gas or liquid fuels by using
chemicals or heat. In India, cow manure is converted to methane gas to produce
electricity. Methane gas can also be converted to methanol, a liquid form of
methane.

9. 5. Pyrolysis[7] :
Pyrolysis is a related method of heating biomass. During pyrolysis, biomass is
heated to 200° to 300° C (390° to 570° F) without the presence of oxygen. This
keeps it from combusting and causes the biomass to be chemically altered.
Pyrolysis produces three product -
Dark liquid called pyrolysis oil, a synthetic gas called syngas, and a solid residue
called biochar.
1. Pyrolysis oil, sometimes called bio-oil or bio crude, is a type of tar.
2. Syngas can be converted into fuel (such as synthetic natural gas).
3. Biochar is a type of charcoal. Biochar is a carbon-rich solid that is
particularly useful in agriculture.

10. 6. Gasification
Biomass can also be directly converted to energy through gasification.
During the gasification process, a biomass feedstock (usually MSW) is
heated to more than 700° C (1,300° F) with a controlled amount of oxygen.
The molecules break down, and produce syngas and slag.

11. Advantage[5]:
1. It is a renewable source.
2. It can be stored and used as per the requirement.
3. It helps in waste management.
4. It is an indigenous source of energy.
5. It helps in economic development of rural areas.
6. It helps in improving sanitation in rural areas and towns.
7. It provides economical use of various types of wastes
and residues.

12. Disadvantage[5]:
1. It has low energy density.
2. It is a labor intensive energy source.
3. Its production requires large land area.
4. Burning biomass releases carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxides,
and other pollutants and particulates.

13. Application:
1. Use as a Cooking gas in rural areas.
2. Use as a Electricity in rural areas.
3. Use as a fuel in an engine, etc.

14. References:
1. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/biomass/
2. https://images.app.goo.gl/4DgqL11Y5kJy82nM6
3. https://images.app.goo.gl/1iyB6YUS9DtjcMxm6
4. http://lsa.colorado.edu/essence/texts/biomass.html
5. non-conventional energy resources, by - g.s. sawhney, phl learning
publication -2012
6. file:///C:/Users/Vishal%20Srivastav/Desktop/5-biomass-conversion-
technologies.pdf
7. https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/biomass-
energy/