| There are many different ways to use biomass | | | | the process. These systems are useful for |
| energy. Today, we are going to look at four | | | | powering isolated communities with electricity. |
| different categories: biofuels, biopower, | | | | There are significant amounts of biomass |
| bioproducts, and space heating and cooling. | | | | resources in the eastern half of the United States. |
| Biofuels | | | | Bioproducts |
| The two most common types of biofuels are | | | | Bioproducts are products that can be made from |
| ethanol and biodiesel. The most familiarly used | | | | fossil fuels. These products general require a |
| form of ethanol ismade from the starch in corn | | | | reduced amount of energy to create than |
| grain, and it is added into petroleum-based fuels to | | | | petroleum-based products. If oxygen is present |
| reduce toxic air emissions and increase octane. It | | | | when heating biomass, more of the two gases |
| is also available as an alternative fuel known as | | | | produced. This process is called biosynthesis, and it |
| E-85. This type of fuel contains 83% ethanol | | | | can be utilized to create plastics and acids. These, |
| during the summer and 70% in the winter. | | | | in turn, can be used to create photographic films, |
| Biodiesel, on the other hand, is made from | | | | textiles, and synthetic fabrics. |
| soybean oil. Though not as popular as its ethanol | | | | On the other hand, when biomass is heated |
| counterpart, it has significant benefits to air quality. | | | | without oxygen, pyrolysis oil is formed and phenol |
| Biodiesel is usually mixed at 20% with petroleum | | | | can be extracted from this formation. Wood |
| diesel, and it is called B-20. The same process that | | | | adhesives, molded plastics, and foam insulation can |
| is used to create biofuels can also be used to | | | | then be created from phenol. |
| create antifreeze, plastics, glues, artificial | | | | Space Heating and Cooling |
| sweeteners and toothpaste gels. | | | | "Heating and cooling account for about 56% of |
| Biopower/Biopower | | | | the energy use in a typical US home, making it |
| The only renewable electrical generation that is | | | | the largest energy expense for most homes." |
| used more than biopower is hydropower. Biomass | | | | Because there are many options available in |
| is created using direct combustion using | | | | regards to heating and cooling, it is important to |
| conventional boilers that burn waste wood | | | | research the most efficient ways to utilize |
| products. Steam is produced by this combustion, | | | | renewable energy. Whether you are installing the |
| which, in turn, spins a turbine, activating a | | | | systems into a new home, or replacing the |
| generator that creates electricity. | | | | systems in an existing home, numerous choices |
| When biomass is turned to gas prior to this | | | | are at your disposal. |
| combustion, toxic materials are removed from | | | | |