Biomass is a term used to describe organic matter that is derived from living organisms or is produced from living organisms This matter can be derived from plants, animals, and microorganisms and is generally composed of carbon, nitrogen, and hydrogen. The three major forms of biomass that are most commonly used and converted into energy are wood, agricultural products, and organic waste. Biomass is becoming an increasingly popular form of sustainable energy due to its renewable and carbon-neutral status.
1. Wood Biomass: Wood biomass is derived from a variety of sources, including wood pellets, wood chips, and sawdust. Wood biomass is one of the oldest forms of biomass and is burned to generate heat and electricity. This type of biomass is especially beneficial due to the fact that it is widely available, relatively cheap, and offers many advantages over fossil fuels.
2. Agricultural Products: Agricultural products such as corn, soybeans, and wheat straw can be used to create biomass energy. These products are widely available and can be used to create ethanol, a fuel alternative to gasoline, or as a feedstock for biogas production. Agricultural products are also a great source of carbon-neutral energy and can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Algae Biomass: Algae biomass is derived from photosynthetic freshwater or seawater microorganisms. This type of biomass is especially promising due to the fact that its growth rate is much faster than traditional plants and it can produce biofuels at a much higher rate than other plants.
4. Municipal Solid Waste: Municipal solid waste, or MSW, can be used to create biomass energy. This type of biomass is often generated from discarded plastic, paper, and cardboard that are collected from households and businesses. This waste can be converted into biogas or fuel pellets that can be used to generate electricity.
5. Animal Manure: Animal manure is also a great source of biomass energy. This waste material can be used to create biogas and is an effective way to reduce pollution from animal farms. Animal manure can be used to produce methane gas, which can be used to generate power.