Biomass energy

Biomass Energy Biomass Energy SourcesSourcesDerrick WillardDerrick Willard

What are they?What are they?

Plant materials and animal wastes that can be Plant materials and animal wastes that can be burned directly as a solid fuel or converted to burned directly as a solid fuel or converted to liquid or gaseous biofuels.liquid or gaseous biofuels.

ALL are indirect forms of solar energy via ALL are indirect forms of solar energy via photosynthesis.photosynthesis.

Traditionally used for heating and cooking, but Traditionally used for heating and cooking, but can also be used for industrial processes and can also be used for industrial processes and for generating electricity.for generating electricity.

Considered “carbon-neutral” as carbon dioxide Considered “carbon-neutral” as carbon dioxide was taken from the atmosphere is returned.was taken from the atmosphere is returned.

TypesTypes

Wood/wood chips/wood charcoalWood/wood chips/wood charcoal

Crop residuesCrop residues

Dung (animal manure)Dung (animal manure)

Liquid biofuelsLiquid biofuels Ethanol (starch or cellulose-based gasoline Ethanol (starch or cellulose-based gasoline

substitute)substitute) Biodiesel (oil or fat-based diesel substitute)Biodiesel (oil or fat-based diesel substitute)

BiogasBiogas

WoodWood

Crop ResidueCrop Residue

Dung OvenDung Oven

Could burn dried dung, or use biodigester to produce methane.

Dung OvenDung Oven

Biofuel: EthanolBiofuel: Ethanol

Can be starch or cellulose based

Biofuel: BiodieselBiofuel: Biodiesel

Info courtesy of Jim Thompson, CEO

The Basics: The Basics: Diesel vs. Gasoline Diesel vs. Gasoline

EnginesEngines

Diesel Engines:Diesel Engines:

The air is compressed first, The air is compressed first, and then the fuel is and then the fuel is injected. Because air heats injected. Because air heats up when it's compressed, up when it's compressed, the fuel ignites.the fuel ignites.

Diesel engines are commonly Diesel engines are commonly found in large trucks and found in large trucks and commercial marine commercial marine vehicles.vehicles.

Gasoline Engines:Gasoline Engines:

FFuel is mixed with air, then uel is mixed with air, then compressed by pistons and compressed by pistons and then ignited by sparks from then ignited by sparks from spark plug.spark plug.

Most passenger vehicles are Most passenger vehicles are gasoline powered, but more gasoline powered, but more car manufacturers are car manufacturers are releasing diesel models, and releasing diesel models, and they are already very popular they are already very popular in Europe.in Europe.

Both diesel engines and gasoline engines covert fuel into energy through a series of small explosions or combustions. The major difference between diesel and gasoline is the way these explosions happen.

Biodiesel 101Biodiesel 101*Fuel for diesel engines made from natural *Fuel for diesel engines made from natural

oils (soy, canola, poultry grease)oils (soy, canola, poultry grease)

*It can be used in any percentage *It can be used in any percentage combination with “regular” petroleum combination with “regular” petroleum diesel fuel.diesel fuel.

*Chemical Definition: Biodiesel is a mono *Chemical Definition: Biodiesel is a mono alkyl ester of long chain fatty acid.alkyl ester of long chain fatty acid.

* It superior lubricant, which makes it better * It superior lubricant, which makes it better for the life of an engine, as opposed to for the life of an engine, as opposed to low-sulfur “regular” diesel.low-sulfur “regular” diesel.

*Reduces harmful carbon emissions by up to *Reduces harmful carbon emissions by up to 78.4% as compared to “regular” diesel.78.4% as compared to “regular” diesel.

Biodiesel 101Biodiesel 101

What Biodiesel is NOT:What Biodiesel is NOT:

It is NOT EthanolIt is NOT Ethanol

It is NOT (necessarily) cheaperIt is NOT (necessarily) cheaper

It is NOT available in great quantities… yet It is NOT available in great quantities… yet (Especially in Charlotte!)(Especially in Charlotte!)

It is NOT flammableIt is NOT flammable

It is NOT hazardousIt is NOT hazardous

It is NOT carcinogenic (cancer causing)It is NOT carcinogenic (cancer causing)

It does NOT take a long time to biodegrade.It does NOT take a long time to biodegrade.

Oil + Chemicals = ReactionOil + Chemicals = Reaction Oil + Chemicals = ReactionOil + Chemicals = Reaction

Biodiesel Production TechnologyBiodiesel Production TechnologyBiodiesel Production TechnologyBiodiesel Production Technology

Biogas DigestersBiogas Digesters

http://www.training.gpa.unep.org/images/gif/biogas_digester_sm.gif

Small ScaleSmall ScaleProduction of methane Production of methane

using hog waste on a farm using hog waste on a farm in Costa Rica…in Costa Rica…

…….for cooking.for cooking

Large ScaleLarge ScaleMethane production from Methane production from human sewage to power human sewage to power heat and cooking units at heat and cooking units at EARTH University in Costa EARTH University in Costa

Rica.Rica.

Large ScaleLarge ScaleMethane production from Methane production from hog manure to power…hog manure to power…

……an electrical generator an electrical generator at EARTH University in at EARTH University in

Costa Rica.Costa Rica...

So…So…

Pros?Pros? Cons?Cons?

Biomass energy

Education

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