Biomass

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BiomassBiomass
IntroductionIntroduction
The sources of Biomass.The sources of Biomass.
The uses of Biomass.The uses of Biomass.
The advantages and disadvantages.The advantages and disadvantages.
Biomass in the future.Biomass in the future.
Conclusion.Conclusion.
RecommendationsRecommendations
Reference Bibliography.Reference Bibliography.

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IntroductionIntroduction
What is biomass??What is biomass??
The total mass of living matter within a The total mass of living matter within a
given unit of environmental area. given unit of environmental area.
Plant material, vegetation or agricultural Plant material, vegetation or agricultural
waste used as a fuel or energy source. waste used as a fuel or energy source.

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Biomass ResoucesBiomass Resouces
1.Wood and agricultural biomass(wood logs, 1.Wood and agricultural biomass(wood logs,
chips, sawdust, bark and other organic chips, sawdust, bark and other organic
material.material.
2. Solid waste, by burning garbage heat and 2. Solid waste, by burning garbage heat and
energy is produced.energy is produced.
3. Landfill gas, Methane gas is produced by the 3. Landfill gas, Methane gas is produced by the
bacterial decay of dead plants and animals.bacterial decay of dead plants and animals.
4. Alcohol fuels, Wheat, corn and other crops can 4. Alcohol fuels, Wheat, corn and other crops can
be converted into a variety of liquid fuels be converted into a variety of liquid fuels
including ethanol and methanol. including ethanol and methanol.
--

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Converting biomass Converting biomass
energy into a useable energy into a useable
energy sourceenergy source
1.Direct incineration1.Direct incineration
2.Bacterial Decay. (methane gas produced 2.Bacterial Decay. (methane gas produced
by the bacterial decay of dead plants or by the bacterial decay of dead plants or
animals.animals.
3. Fermentation, Adding a yeast to biomass 3. Fermentation, Adding a yeast to biomass
produces an alcohol called ethanol. produces an alcohol called ethanol.
4. Conversion, Biomass can be converted into 4. Conversion, Biomass can be converted into
gas or liquid fuels by using chemicals or heat. gas or liquid fuels by using chemicals or heat.

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Uses of BiomassUses of Biomass
•80% of biomass energy is produced for 80% of biomass energy is produced for
residential use.residential use.
•79% of the biomass we use today comes from 79% of the biomass we use today comes from
burning wood and chips.burning wood and chips.
•Biomass is used to heat homes, Wood is Biomass is used to heat homes, Wood is
burned in open fires or wood pellet boilers and burned in open fires or wood pellet boilers and
stoves. stoves.
•18% of biomass is produced for industrial use.18% of biomass is produced for industrial use.
•2% of biomass energy is produced for 2% of biomass energy is produced for
transport.transport.

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Advantages of BiomassAdvantages of Biomass
The main Advantages of Biomass are:The main Advantages of Biomass are:
2.2.Biomass is a renewable fuel source.Biomass is a renewable fuel source.
3.3.Biomass energy production results in Biomass energy production results in
minimal environmental impact.minimal environmental impact.
4.4.Employment generation in rural areas.Employment generation in rural areas.
5.5.Alcohol fuels are efficient and clean Alcohol fuels are efficient and clean
burning.burning.
6.6.The availability of biomass fuels is The availability of biomass fuels is
universal.universal.

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Disadvantages of Disadvantages of
BiomassBiomass
When combusted to produce energy it When combusted to produce energy it
contributes directly to global warming.contributes directly to global warming.
An expensive source to produce and An expensive source to produce and
convert.convert.
On a small scale there is a likely net loss On a small scale there is a likely net loss
in energy; as energy must be put in to in energy; as energy must be put in to
grow the plant mass.grow the plant mass.

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The future of BiomassThe future of Biomass
Infinite fossil fuel resources are depleting.Infinite fossil fuel resources are depleting.
Our dependency on oil must be reduced.Our dependency on oil must be reduced.
Renewable forms of energy generation will be Renewable forms of energy generation will be
requireded to serve the global energy requireded to serve the global energy
requirements.requirements.
Ireland has a goal of 16%use of renewable Ireland has a goal of 16%use of renewable
energy by2020(3.9% in 2008)energy by2020(3.9% in 2008)
Today it accounts for 10% of the worlds energy Today it accounts for 10% of the worlds energy
consumption.consumption.

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ConclusionsConclusions
Today we have looked at the varies Today we have looked at the varies
different aspects of Biomass including:different aspects of Biomass including:
The sources.The sources.
The conversion of biomass to useable The conversion of biomass to useable
energy sources.energy sources.
The uses of Biomass.The uses of Biomass.
The advantages and disadvantagesThe advantages and disadvantages
The future of Biomass.The future of Biomass.

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RecommendationsRecommendations
Biomass offers a renewable solution to the fast Biomass offers a renewable solution to the fast
approaching global energy crisis.approaching global energy crisis.
Biomass is more eco friendly on the Biomass is more eco friendly on the
environment than most other energy environment than most other energy
generation methods.generation methods.
E.U.policy is setting onerous targets for E.U.policy is setting onerous targets for
renewable energy generation and biomass can renewable energy generation and biomass can
be used to help meet these targets.be used to help meet these targets.
Biomass will create much needed employment Biomass will create much needed employment
in this Irish recession economy.in this Irish recession economy.

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Thank you for your Thank you for your
time.time.
Are there any questions?Are there any questions?

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Bibliography referenceBibliography reference
Introduction: Introduction:
http://lsa.colorado.edu/summarystreet/texts/biomass.hthttp://lsa.colorado.edu/summarystreet/texts/biomass.ht
mm
Sources of biomass: Sources of biomass:
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/biomasshttp://www.thefreedictionary.com/biomass
Uses of biomass and image:Uses of biomass and image:
biomass:biomass:http://www.greenfacts.org/en/biofuels/figtablebhttp://www.greenfacts.org/en/biofuels/figtableb
oxes/figure-5.htmoxes/figure-5.htm
Advantages and Advantages and
disadvantages:disadvantages:http://library.thinkquest.org/20331/types/http://library.thinkquest.org/20331/types/
biomass/advant.htmlbiomass/advant.html
http://www.seai.ie/Renewables/http://www.seai.ie/Renewables/