Biofuel and biomass Flashcards
burning of fossil fuel does what?
Short-circuits the carbon cycle
what is the problem with tidal and wave power?
To generate such power there mustbe a suitable location
Sources or renewable energy?
Solar, tidal wave, wind, hydroelectric power, geotherman, raw biomass and biofuel
Problems with renewable energy?
Low energy density
can be too expensive to elicit much market interest
What is the concept of externalities?
Are costs of benefits from an economic transaction that accrue to patries not involved in he transaction
Photosynthesis in plants and algae is it the same process?
Yes both use water as a source of electrons
fixes co2 as organic carbon
releases o2
what do plants need to perform photosynthesis?
Light, water, CO2, minerals
What happens in the first stage of photosynthesis?
Light is used to create two high-energy but unstable molecules: ATP and NADPH
What is the second step in photosynthesis?
ATP and NADPH are used to force hydrogen atoms onto C)2 producing a small sugar
The energy conversion efficiency of photosynthesis?
Approx 5% light converted to energy
What is raw biomass as fuel?
Any material from organisms that is burned for energy without extensive processing
In biomass waht molecules are being burned?
Cellulose and lignin molecules that are found in plant cell walls
Advantages of burning raw biomass?
renewable
carbon neutral
cheeper
widely available
limitations of using raw biomass?
Risk of deforestation
inefficient compared to fossil fuels
not that clean
How do we get alcohol fuels from crops?
Carbohydrates from the sugars in plants
