6.7: Energy from Biomass Flashcards
Biofuels
Liquid fuels like ethanol and biodiesel created from biomass like corn, sugar cane, palm oil which can be used as replacement fuel sources for gas in vehicles
Biomass burning
Considered carbon neutral as it releases modern carbon/ carbon that was much more recently sequestered compared to FFs
Human health consequences of biomass burning
- Burning of biomass releases carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, particulate matter which are all respiratory irritatnts
- Indoor biomass burning can cause worsened asthma, bronchitis, COPD, emphysema, eye irritation
Environmental consequences of burning biomass
- Leads to deforestation due to lack of environmental protection laws and financial resources invested in other fuels
- Habitat loss, soil erosion, loss of air and water filtration as well as carbon sequestration
- Particulate matter and nitrous oxides contribute to smog formation
Creation of ethanol
Corn and sugar cane are fermented (yeast) into ethanol which is mixed w/gasoline
Ethanol as fuel
51-83% ethanol + gasoline mix (E53/flex fuel) is used in flex-fuel vehicles which decreases oil consumption for transport, but is less efficient than pure gasoline
Environmental consequences of biofuels
- soil erosion, habitat loss, greenhouse gas release from equipment and fertilizers, intensive water use
- Lots of corn needed relative to petroleum so more land needed to plant enough corn
- Algae can produce oils that can be used as biofuels and is more sustainable than corn
Ethanol and renewability
Renewable to extent that production of corn is sustainable
Biodiesel
Liquid fuels made from plant oils like soy, palm (produces 98% more GHGs than fossil fuels due to clearing of forests for palm plantations), canola. It can be made more sustainable if cleared land is used or plantations are continually replanted.
