Lecture 11

Question 1

two types of biomass

Answer 1

virgin biomass and waste biomass

Question 2

advantages of biomass

Answer 2

renewable source
improve soil fertility
reduce all polution (protect clean water supply, reduce landfills, reduce GHG)
can be used to produce physical products, unlike other renewable sources
carbon neutral

can be used in existing infrastructure (both energy and infrastructure)

Question 3

why biomass

Answer 3

huge ressources in canada (forests)
employment (employs most of any renewable source)
political benefits (reduce imports/trading)
stable fuel price (not subject to monopolistic control like gas)

Question 4

biomass formation

Answer 4

absorbing solar energy, carbon dioxide, water
process of photosynthesis

Question 5

photosynthesis equation

Answer 5

6CO2 + 6H2) + sunlight + chlorphyll -> C6H12O6 +6O2
for each mole of carbon,, 470kJ absorbed
suns energy is stored as chemical energy in glucose

Question 6

energy crops

Answer 6

plants grown specifically for utilization as raw materials for energy production
short growing period and high yields
low cost, low maintenance, low fertilizations
eg willow, switchgrass

Question 7

Canada’s biomass

Answer 7

most globa; biomass per capita
in agricultural, forestry, and municipal biomass approx. 2 EJ total can be obtained
residue and waste can account for 14%-21% of energy supply

Question 8

proximate anaylsis

Answer 8

gross composition
composed of volatile matter (will burn, vapor), foxed carbon (solid carbon remaining when burning), ash (inorganics), and moisture content

FC+VM+ash=100%

Question 9

ultimate analysis

Answer 9

elemental composition

C+H+N+S+O=100%
each element in terms of percentage

Question 10

biomass compared to coal

Answer 10

higher H/C ratio (lower energy potential)
higher bound oxygen content (lower heating value)
lower sulfur content (reduced SO2 emissions)
higher moisture content (more energy to dry)
more problems in heat exchangers
more volatile matter

Question 11

biomass conversion processes

Answer 11

combustion (produces heat)
thermochemical conversion (produces solid, liquid, gas fuels)
chemical conversion (gas and liquid fuels)
biological conversion (liquid and gas fuels)

Question 12

biomass conversion techniques

Answer 12

combustion
gasification
pyrolysis