BIOENERGY Flashcards
How is Bioenergy created?
Organic matter that is converted into energy
State some sources of organic matter.
Wood (short rotation forestery)
Energy crops (Miscanthus grass, Switchgrass)
Waste (Industrial, domestic, animal, farm)
Where does biomass initially derive its energy from?
Sun
What is the realistic efficiency of photosynthesis creating biomass? and how is biomass power calculated?
0.5%
Biomass power= Area . 0.5
Describe the process of pyrolysis.
Thermal degradation (Heating biomass)
Found in 3 forms (gas, liquid (pyrolysis oil), charcoal)
Describe the process of Anaerobic digestion (AD).
A natural process that consists of bacteria breaking down organic gas to produce fertiliser.
State the contents in Biogas
Methane (64%)
Carbon Dioxide (34%)
State the two liquid biofuels and their purpose.
Bioethanol
Biodiesel
Used to power vehicles
How is bioethanol created and delve into its purpose.
Ethanol is produced through fermentation of sugar/starch sources (wheat, corn, sugarcane)
Ethanol can be added to petroleum in order to fuel vehicles (50/50 in Brazil)
What is the definition of Fossil Energy Ratio (FER) and how is it calculated?
FER is the measure of the effectiveness of fossil energy
FER= Energy supplied to consumer/Energy used to produce it
Angus, please tell me the FER for Corn, switchgrass and sugarcane.
Corn 1.2-1.4
Switchgrass 3-5
Sugarcane 8
Name 3 plants that can be fermented to eventually produced ethanol and the process that they take.
Cellulose Plants (Pre-treatment, Hydrolysis, Fermentation)
Starchy Plants (Hydrolysis, Fermentation)
Glucose Plants (Fermentation)
Advantages of Bioenergy
Carbon Neutral
Harvested in liquid (Easy transport)
Large choice of biomass materials
Sustainable
Waste given a purpose
By-product is fertiliser
Disadvantages of Bioenergy
Low energy per unit area
Small amount of emissons in procurement and transport stages
Deforestation
