Biomass and Biofuels
BIOFUELS
Biodiesel, made from vegetable
oil, can be used in any diesel engine without any modifications to the
vehicle. It is a renewable, non-toxic, bio-degradable, and domestic
fuel with a similar engine performance as diesel fuel, but does not
require petroleum. As an example, the University of Colorado has begun
the development of alternative fuels for its transportation fleet, using
waste cooking oil from the university cafeterias.
Interesting websites:
Biodiesel benefits
Fact Sheet
CEM
Article on Fried Fuels
CU Biodiesel
Boulder Biodiesel
Blue Sun Biodiesel
Biodiesel in the UK
BIOMASS
What is Biomass: Biomass is organic material,
which has stored solar energy from sunlight in the form
of chemical in the plants through the process called
photosynthesis. Biomass fuels include Agricultural
Wastes, Crop Residues, Wood, Woody Wastes & Organic
Wastes etc. Unless like fossil fuels Biomass does not
add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere as it absorbs the
same amount of carbon while growing. It is the
cheapest, eco-friendly, renewable source of energy.
What is Biomass Gasification: Biomass
Gasification converts solid biomass into more convenient
gaseous form. The ratio of air-to-fuel required for the
complete combustion of the biomass is 6:1 to 6.5:1,
which defined as stoichiometric combustion with the end
products being CO2 and
H2O.
In gasification the combustion is carried at sub-stoichiometric
conditions with air-to-fuel ratio being 1.5:1 to 1.8:1.
The gas so obtained is called producer gas, which is
combustible having a calorific value of 4.5-5.0 MJ/kg,
with an average composition of CO : 20 + 1%; CH4
: 3 + 1%, H2
: 20 + 1%, CO2 :
12 + 1% and rest, N2.
This process is made possible in a device called
gasifier. A gasifier system mainly comprises of a
reactor, where the combustible gas is generated and the
gas is made available for power generation / thermal
application after the required cleaning and cooling
process.
Interesting website:
British Biogen, the trade
association for biomass energy
Articles:
Aruna Electrical Works Ltd: Harvest Power from Biomass
Production of Methane could help change Rwanda's fortune
(BBC, 02/06)
Enhanced Anaerobic
Digestion of Biomass Waste for Optimized Production of
Renewable Energy and Solids for Compost
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