Module 3

Biomass Energy
Biogas Digester - Biogas Power Generation
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 Introduction
• Biomass is basically organic matter(means they are carbon content) that has energy
stored within it. This energy is produced in plants through the process of
photosynthesis.

• Plant matter or organic matter created by process of photosynthesis is termed as

biomass.

• Process of photosynthesis requires photonic energy from solar radiation, so it is

indirect form of solar energy.

• Ex:Wood :tree barks, saw dust

• Waste: industrial, sewage and agriculture waste, Animal Residue: Cow dung etc.
•
Biomass Energy
Sources
Biomass can be recycled
Conversion Methods
Biomass Energy Conversion
Biomass Facts
 Photosynthesis Process
• Photosynthesis is a biological process that converts light energy into
chemical energy in the form of organic compounds. Photosynthesis in
plants takes place in chloroplasts found in mesophyll cells of leaves.
• Light energy is captured by the chlorophyll in the chloroplasts of the
plant cells.
• The energy from sunlight is used to convert CO2 and H2O into glucose
and Oxygen through a series of chemical reactions.
• Glucose produced is used by the plant as a source of energy and oxygen
is released to the atmosphere as a by-product.
• Process of photosynthesis can be summarized as
Light energy + Carbon Dioxide + Water=Glucose +Oxygen
• Biomass produced through photosynthesis is also an important
source of biofuels.
• Crops such as corn, sugarcane and algae are grown specifically for
their ability to photosynthesize and produce large amounts of
biomass which can be then processed and converted into biofuels
such as ethanol and biodiesel.
The necessary conditions for photosynthesis are
• 1) Light : Only a part of the solar radiation (40 -45%) of 400 700 Ao wavelength is used
in photosynthesis. This range of light is called photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) .
• 2) CO2 concentration: Carbon dioxide is the primary raw material for photosynthesis.
It is observed that if CO2 concentration is increased , increase in the yield of several
crops upto a certain limit.
• 3)Temperature: Photosynthesis is restricted to the temperature range which can be
tolerated by the proteins i.e. 0oC to 60oC .
The process of photosynthesis has two main steps:
1)Splitting of H2O molecules into H2 and O2 under the influence of chlorophyll and
sunlight. This phase reaction is called light reaction. Where O2 escapes and H2 is
transformed into unknown compounds.
2) In the second phase , hydrogen is transformed from this unknown compound to CO2 to
form starch or sugar.
BIOFUELS
• Biomass is the only renewable energy source that can be converted into liquid biofuels
such as ethanol and biodiesel.
• Biofuels are fuels that are produced from renewable biological sources, such as crops,
algae, and waste organic material.
• Ethanol is made by fermenting biomass that is high in carbohydrates, such as sugar
cane, wheat, or corn. Ethanol has become a popular substitute for wood in residential
fireplaces. When it is burned, it gives off heat in the form of flames, and water vapor
instead of smoke.
• Biodiesel is made from combining ethanol with animal fat, recycled cooking fat, or
vegetable oil.
• Biofuels do not operate as efficiently as gasoline. However, they can be blended with
gasoline to efficiently power vehicles and machinery, and do not release the emissions
associated with fossil fuels.
BIOMASS RESOURCES
• Biomass resources are materials derived from living organisms or their
waste products that can be used as a source of energy. Biomass resources
include:
 Anaerobic Digestion
• Anaerobic digestion is a process through which bacteria
break down organic matter—such as animal manure,
wastewater biosolids, and food wastes—in the absence of
oxygen.
• Anaerobic digestion systems capture methane and allow us to
use that methane in a beneficial way. Capturing methane is
important because methane is a potent greenhouse gas that
contributes to climate change if allowed to escape to the
atmosphere.
• The purpose of anaerobic digestion is to convert the
municipal waste (biomass) into biogas. So, the two main
products are methane and carbon dioxide.
• Direct Method
• Forest wood waste
• Agriculture crops and residues
• Residential food waste
• Industrial waste
• Human and animal waste
• Energy crops
• Indirect method
• Thermo electrical conversion
• Biomass conversion to fuel
• Thermo chemical process (Pyrolysis, gasification and destructive
distillation)
• Biological conversion (fermentation, anaerobic digestion )
Direct Combustion
Biochemical
Conversion
Biomass conversion Technologies
THERMOCHEMICAL CONVERSION

• Thermochemical conversion processes include combustion, gasification, pyrolysis, and

solvent liquefaction.
• Each process functions at a distinct degree of oxidation, temperature, heating rate and
reaction time to produce electric power, heat, fuels, and/or chemicals.
2) Gasification
•Gasification is defined as a high-temperature conversion of
carbonaceous materials (containing carbon) into a combustible gas
mixture under reducing conditions. Through gasification, a
heterogeneous solid material can be converted into gaseous fuels
intermediate (producer gas and syngas) that can be used for heating,
industrial processes, electricity generation, and liquid fuel production.
•Producer gas – a low heating value gas mixture of CO2, H2, CO, CH4,
N produced from gasification feedstocks in air.
•Synthesis gas – a gas mixture of predominantly CO and H2 produced
from gasification feedstocks in oxygen and steam followed by gas
separation to remove CO2. This H2 rich mixture was developed for the
synthesis of fuels and chemicals.
3) Pyrolysis
•Pyrolysis involves the conversion of biomass into hydrocarbon liquids,
gases, or solids in the total absence of oxygen at temperatures ranging from
(400 – 900 oC). Pyrolysis can be segmented into three process types;
torrefaction, slow pyrolysis, and fast pyrolysis each with different
temperatures, pressures, and reaction times.
•Slow pyrolysis will produce gases and solid biochars while fast pyrolysis
will produce liquids. The product of fast pyrolysis, called bio-oil, is an
energy-rich liquid recovered from condensable vapors and aerosols. Bio-oil
consists of a mixture of oxygenated organic compounds including carbolic
acids, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, saccharides, and other compounds.
•Pyrolysis can be thought of as a standalone process or a precursor process to
gasification or other technologies where the gas or liquid product of
pyrolysis is used as an intermediate feedstock in the production of more
complex products downstream.
The three main design of fixed bed gasifier are :
A downdraft biomass gasifier typically consists of several
distinct zones each of which serves a specific purpose in
the gasification process. The main zones found in a
downdraft gasifier and their function

Drying zone: The biomass is first fed into the drying

zone, where it is heated to remove any moisture content.
This helps to prevent the formation of stream , which can
interface with the gasification reaction.

Pyrolysis zone: to break the complex structure of

biomass this process is done at temperature between 600
℃

Oxidizing zone: product of pyrolysis enters into

oxidation zone. A predetermine amount of air is supplied
due to combustion reaction takes place. Temperature in
this zone reaches upto 1200 ℃
(exothermic reaction)

Reduction zone: as the product of oxidation enters into

this zone due to carbon particle an endo thermic reaction
takes place,
BIOMASS GASSIFICATION
Chemistry of reaction process in gasification