Biomass
Biomass is biology material from living, or recently living organisms, most
often referring to plants or plant-derived materials. As a renewable energy
source, biomass can either be used directly, or indirectly—once or converted
into another type of energy product such as biofuel. Biomass can be converted
to energy in three ways: thermal
conversion, chemical conversion,
and biochemical conversion.
Scientists have discovered that
biomass can be used as a substitute for petroleum. Using enzymes to break down solid biomass
waste into a renewable form. There is sufficient biomass waste available
to supply all of the organic chemicals that are consumed annually in the United
States and still have enough waste left over to convert to auto fuel. There is a need for renewable resources and
energy flow. Through plant material, we can develop alternatives to
petroleum-based products because bio-based fuels are recyclable while
fossil-based fuels are not.
Even though biomass wastes is
cheaper as a raw material than oil, there is a drawback. The price of converting biomass raw material
is the major limitation to commercialization.
The plant biomass is chemically diverse, and it must be separated then
converted into desired products. The challenge is to develop industries
proficient in using this raw material and to develop more cost-effective
enzymatic and microbial processes that convert these materials into industrial
chemicals and energy.
Biomass fuel occurs
when the plant through its metabolism takes in carbon dioxide, and carbon
enters plant cells where it is converted into cell walls. Just like
photosynthesis. Biomass
is a sustainable and potentially environmentally sound resource. Biomass is considered to be one of the key
renewable resources of the future at both small- and large-scale levels. It
already supplies 14% of the world’s primary energy consumption. With increases in population and demand per
capita, and depletion of fossil-fuel resources, the demand for biomass is
expected to increase rapidly in developing countries. Using biomass as a fuel means that carbon
dioxide, which was absorbed from the air while the plant was growing, is
released back into the air when the fuel is burned. The system is said to be
carbon neutral. The manufacturing of
biomass is going to occur where biomass is found. Biomass is typically found in
rural areas meaning more manufacturing jobs would be created in rural areas.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/03/000331084341.htm
Works Cited
"Biomass." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 18 Feb. 2013. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomass>.
"Interesting Energy Facts." Biomass Energy Facts -. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2013. <http://interestingenergyfacts.blogspot.com/2008/04/biomass-energy-facts.html>.
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