Biomass

Biomass refers to living and recently dead biological material that can be used as fuel or for industrial production. Most commonly, biomass refers to plant matter grown for use as biofuel, but it also includes plant or animal matter used for production of fibres, chemicals or heat. Biomass may also include biodegradable wastes that can be burnt as fuel. It excludes organic material which has been transformed by geological processes into substances such as coal or petroleum.

Biomass is grown from several plants, including miscanthus, switchgrass, hemp, corn, poplar, willow and sugarcane.^[1] The particular plant used is usually not very important to the end products, but it does affect the processing of the raw material. Production of biomass is a growing industry as interest in sustainable fuel sources is growing.^{[citation needed]}

Although fossil fuels have their origin in ancient biomass, they are not considered biomass by the generally accepted definition because they contain carbon that has been "out" of the carbon cycle for a very long time. Their combustion therefore disturbs the carbon dioxide content in the atmosphere.

Plastics from biomass, like some recently developed to dissolve in seawater, are made the same way as petroleum-based plastics, are actually cheaper to manufacture and meet or exceed most performance standards. But they lack the same water resistance or longevity as conventional plastics.^[2]

Additional recommended knowledge

What is the Correct Way to Check Repeatability in Balances?

Essential Laboratory Skills Guide

Correct Test Weight Handling Guide: 12 Practical Tips

Processing and uses

Biomass which is not simply burned as fuel may be processed in other ways.

Low tech processes include:^[3]

• composting (to make soil conditioners and fertilisers)
• anaerobic digestion (decaying biomass to produce methane gas and sludge as a fertiliser)
• fermentation and distillation (both produce ethyl alcohol)

More high-tech processes are:

• Pyrolysis (heating organic wastes in the absence of air to produce gas and char. Both are combustable.)
• Hydrogasification (produces methane and ethane)
• Hydrogenation (converts biomass to oil using carbon monoxide and steam under high pressures and temperatures)
• Destructive distillation (produces methyl alcohol from high cellulose organic wastes).
• Acid hydrolysis (treatment of wood wastes to produce sugars, which can be distilled)

Burning biomass, or the fuel products produced from it, may be used for heat or electricity production.

Other uses of biomass, besides fuel and compost include:

• Building materials
• Biodegradable plastics and paper (using cellulose fibres)

Environmental impact

Biomass is part of the carbon cycle. Carbon from the atmosphere is converted into biological matter by photosynthesis. On decay or combustion the carbon goes back into the atmosphere or soil. This happens over a relatively short timescale and plant matter used as a fuel can be constantly replaced by planting for new growth. Therefore a reasonably stable level of atmospheric carbon results from its use as a fuel. It is commonly accepted that the amount of carbon stored in biomass is approximately 50% of the biomass by weight.^[4]

Though biomass is a renewable fuel, and is sometimes called a "carbon neutral" fuel, its use can still contribute to global warming. This happens when the natural carbon equilibrium is disturbed; for example by deforestation or urbanization of green sites. These activities are termed "carbon leakage".

Despite harvesting, biomass crops may sequester (trap) carbon. So for example soil organic carbon has been observed to be greater in switchgrass stands than in cultivated cropland soil, especially at depths below 12 inches.^[5] The grass sequesters the carbon in its increased root biomass. But the perennial grass may need to be allowed to grow for several years before increases are measurable.^[6]

Biomass production for human use and consumption

Source: Whittaker, R. H.; Likens, G. E. (1975). "The Biosphere and Man", in Leith, H. & Whittaker, R. H.: Primary Productivity of the Biosphere. Springer-Verlag, 305-328. ISBN 0-3870-7083-4. ; Ecological Studies Vol 14 (Berlin)

See also

• Anaerobic digestion
• Biofuel
• Biomass gasification
• Biomass to liquid
• Energy crop
• Standing crop
• Thermal mass
• Wood fuel (a traditional biomass fuel)
• World Council for Renewable Energy

References