Biomass Production and Efficient Utilization for Energy Generation

N.S. Rathore, N.L. Panwar

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781032158112
• eBook ISBN: 9781000506259
• Topic: Physical Sciences
• Subtopic: Energy

The content of book includes all major aspects of biomass production and efficient utilization for energy generation. Most of the information presented in this book reflects a basis to acquire the understanding of the proper utilization of biomass for heat and power generation. In this book, design criteria, present state of art of technology and future perspective of clean energy are illustrated through graphs, figures, tables, flowcharts. equatiosn etc. to make the subject more clear and useful. Note: T&F does not sell or distribute the hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. This title is co-published with NIPA.

1Biomass-An Overview

1.1 General

The term “biomass” generally refers to renewable organic matter generated by plants through photosynthesis. Materials having organic combustible matter is also referred under biomass. Biomass is an important fuel source in our overall energy scenario. Biomass is produced through chemical storage of solar energy in plants and other organic matter as a result of photosynthesis. During this process conversion of solar energy in sugar and starch, which are energy rich compounds takes place. The chemical reaction of photosynthesis can be written as:

6CO₂ + 6H₂O + sunlight → C6H12O6 + 6O₂ + 636 kcal

It indicates that the storage of 636 kcal is associated with the transfer of 72 gm carbon into organic matter. Biomass can be directly utilized as fuel or can be converted through different routes into useful forms of fuel. In fact, biomass is a source of five useful agents, which start with ‘F’ like food, fodder, fuel, fiber and fertilizer. Further, biomass has many advantages like.

1. It is widely available
2. Its technology for production and conversion is well understood.
3. It is suitable for small or large applications
4. Its production and utilisation requires only low light intensity and low temperature (5 to 35°C)
5. It incorporates advantage of storage and transportation
6. Comparatively, it is associated with low or negligible pollution.

1.2 Biomass Classification

Biomass includes plantation that produces energy crops, natural vegetable growth and organic wastes and residues. The biomass classification is illustrated in Fig. 1.1. It can be grouped as:

Fig. 1.1: Biomass and Its Classification

1. Agricultural & Forestry Residues: Silviculture Crops.
2. Herbaceous Crops: Weeds and Napier grass.
3. Aquatic and marine biomass: Algae, water hyacinth, aquatic weeds, plants, sea grass beds, kelp and coral reef etc.
4. Wastes: Municipal solid waste, municipal sewage sludge, animal waste and industrial waste etc.

India produces about 320 million tonnes of agricultural residues every year. Similarly, 273 million cattle population produces on an average about 433 million tonnes of dung annually. Fuel wood is another major source of biomass in India. The fuel wood consumption in India is estimated to be about 227 million tonnes per year. Some of biomass sources are given below:

1.2.1 Energy Plantation

This term refers to an area that is used to grow biomass for energy purposes. The idea behind energy plantation programme is to grow selected strains of tree and plant species on a short rotation system on waste or arable land. The sources of energy plantation depend on the availability of land & water and careful management of the plants. As far as suitability of land for energy plantation is concerned following criterion is used

1. It should have minimum of 60-cm annual precipitation
2. Any arable land having slope equal to or less than 30% is suitable for energy plantation.

The economics of energy plantation depends on the cost of planting and availability of market for fuel. Whereas these two factors are location specific and these varies from place to place. Further productivity of this programme depends on the microclimate of the locality, the choice of the species, the planting spacing, the inputs available and the age of harvest. There are many suitable species for energy plantation, few of them are:

1. Acacia nilotica (Babul),
2. Acacia auriculiformis (Bengali Babul),
3. Dalbargia sissoo (Shisham),
4. Eucalyptus comaldulusis (Eucalyptus),
5. Leucaena lencocephala (Subabul),
6. Prosopis chilensis (Perdesi Babul),
7. Prosopis Juliflora (Vilayati Babul),
8. Tamarix articulate (Jungle jalebi),
9. Tamarindusindica (Imali),
10. Albizzalebbek

1.3 Biomass Characteristics

Biomass can be characterized for its utility and different energy usage. The various characteristics of biomass falls under following categories

1. Proximate analysis
2. Ultimate analysis
3. Ash deformation and fusion temperature
4. Calorific value
5. Rate of devolatilization
6. Bulk density.

These properties varies from the species to species, their moisture content as well as method employed for fuel preparation.

1.3.1 Proximate Analysis

It is the method for measuring various properties of biomass such as moisture content, fixed carbon, volatile matter and ash. The moisture content is one of the important properties of biomass, over which its heating value depends. The moisture content is determined by drying the weighed amount of sample in an open crucible kept at 110^oC in an oven for one hour. Always biomass sample is first grind to form fine powder, then this powdered sample is kept for determination of proximate analysis. In fact, for most of the biomass, the consistency in weight is obtained within one hour at 110°C or so. If required, the period of heating may be increased till the consistency of weight is obtained. The difference between the initial and final weights is taken as moisture content of the fuel.

The experimentation of moisture content determination is extended for measurement of ash content of biomass. The sample, so obtained after determination of moisture content, is...

Table of contents

• Cover Page
• Half-Title Page
• About the Authors
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Preface
• Table of Contents
• 1. Biomass-An Overview
• 2. Biomass Energy for Domestic Applications
• 3. Biogas Technology
• 4. Carbonisation of Biomass
• 5. Pyrolysis Process
• 6. Torrefaction of Biomass
• 7. Biomass Gasification Technology
• 8. Biodiesel Production
• 9. Bioethanol Production
• 10. Densification Technology