Biomass can be classified as dry biomass (such as wood) or the wet biomass sources such as organic fraction of domestic waste, agro-industrial wastes, slurries and waste water. Thermal conversion or gasification of the dry biomass generates energy. Figure 3 summarizes an approximate worldwide energy consumption level. Nearly 2 kg billion biomass is burned everyday in developing countries. Especially in India, 90% of primary energy use is accounted for biomass in rural areas (wood-56%; crop residues-16%; dung-21%). Combustion of these sources leads to high concentrations of respirable particulates, gases including CO, SO2, nitrogen oxides and toxic compounds such as benzene and formaldehyde [23]. The wet biomass is less suitable for thermal conversion. Biotechnological processes are involved where the reactions are catalysed by microorganisms in an aqueous environment at low temperature and pressure. Aquatic biomass presents an easy adaptability to grow in different conditions and has enhanced CO2 fixation accompanied with a low nitrous oxide release.
Some microalgal biomass is considered as a better alternative renewable energy source, either terrestrial or aquatic (Botryococcus braunii) (Fig. 1m). In view of the oil content of many microalgae (Table 2) energy recovery from biomass can be implemented on a large scale readily. The photosynthetic efficiency of aquatic biomass is much higher (6-8%) than that of its terrestrial counterpart (1.8-2.2%) [13]. Further, aquatic biomass presents an easy adaptability to grow in different conditions either in fresh or marine water or in a wide range of pH. This makes the aquatic biomass more adaptive or an enhanced CO2 fixation to afford a high biomass production. The only practicable methods of large scale production of microalgae are tubular photobioreactors [19] and open raceway ponds [20]. Extensive studies have been carried out for the cultivation of different marine microalga using a variety of cultivation systems including open ponds and various types of closed photobioreactors [21, 22]. Since already several articles were dealt with large scale production, this paper did not concentrate on these issues.
Biomass for power generation has been recognized as an important component of the renewable energy programme in India and this is reflected in the priority attached to it by the MNES. There are niches with substantial potential for the use of biomass for power generation e.g. bagasse cogeneration in sugar mills, decentralized gasifier based diesel cogeneration systems in south India and biomass waste from agricultural operations or agro-industries in concentrated geographical pockets [23]. A biomass power / cogeneration capacity addition of 115 MW in six states was created in the country during the year reaching a cumulative power generation capacity of 727 MW.
Fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, are Carbon rich compounds, the combustion of which produces Carbon Dioxide, a pollutant and a greenhouse gas. A large amount of energy is released during this process, which is why the pollutants off products are tolerated. This process occurs constantly throughout the world, in power stations, vehicles and cooking ovens, leading to an immense volume of CO2 being released every second, 50% of which is absorbed by oceans (Oce...
Phytoplanktons are a very important part of ocean life. The carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is in balance with carbon dioxide in the ocean. During photosynthesis, phyto...
There is a lot of talk about the world’s source of energy going on these days and people are starting to ask questions about our sources of energy. Is it environmentally friendly? Does it make sense economically? For years the world has been highly dependent on fossil fuels that are extracted from the ground. These fuels power things from power plants, cars, plains, and many of the other modern conveniences that we enjoy. There is a lot of energy expended in the extraction and transport of these fuels as well as many negative environmental impacts. Scientists are busy finding alternative ways to power our world that are cost efficient and ecofriendly. One idea that is being explored as an effective replacement is producing oil from algae. Algae have a high content of oil, about 50 percent of its weight, and science is finding a way to use it as a clean fuel source.
Did you know that you can receive a maximum of a $7,500 tax credit for just owning an electric or hybrid vehicle? The United States government values citizens that buy fuel efficient vehicles because it gets the United States one step closer to not buying outsourced oil (Jones par.14). Hybrid vehicles are vehicles that are mostly powered by gasoline, but switch over to electric at stop signs or at coasting speeds. Electric cars are cars that are solely powered by electric from start up to shut down (Motavalli par. 6). Most cars and trucks on the road today are powered by gasoline or diesel engines, which are expensive to operate, bad for the environment, and use resources that are non renewable. To achieve better fuel economy, lower operation cost, reduce the pollution on the environment, and operate vehicles with renewable resources, this world needs to take a better look at using alternative fuels to power vehicles. Alternative fuels for motor vehicles are better for the environment, are renewable resource, and are cheaper for consumers.
The existence of Cyanobacteria is of vital importance to all life on planet earth. The process by which the amospehere of planet earth changed, from its early atmosphere to what it is present day is due to the process of photosynthesis, which is originated in a Cyanobacterium. Oxygenic photosynthesis is what made Cyanobacteria unique among the early organisms on planet earth whereby it used Carbon dioxide from the atmospehere and water as an electron donor to produce carbohydrates, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. In comparison, other early organisms on planet earth produced energy via
Introduction:The idea of biofuels is a old concept, reaching as far as the ending of the 19th century. Solid in its idea but flawed in its presentation. Biofuels are a alternative energy to fossil fuels that are made from natural methods such as plants and crops and are key in solving the apparent flaws of fossil fuels. While fossil fuels have been in use for over a century, Biofuels have now risen to the popularity and been exposed to the press. At one point of time biofuel were being considered by some of the most brilliant minds ever in human history such as Henry Ford and Rudolph Diesel who believed that biofuels had the potential to be the new evolution s on only to reappear a century later. Now the world faces the struggles of global warming and the depletion of fossil fuels slowly dimming by day. Throughout the last century biofuels have proven to have a place in our society as a new alternative fuel source. Specializing in Being Natural and healthier than fossil fuels, biofuels have had a rough beginning against its competitor due to key situations such as pricing, Side effects, to fuel power. However the idea was passed on a to the later generations, and continued to pasand prolong usage. However through the last decade they have been highly advertised by politicians and Government officials claiming it to be the future of a powerful working society, and to help in making a new energy free world. Through belief Some even claiming that “By 2050, a new generation of sustainable biofuels could provide over a quarter of the world’s total transport fuel, according to a recent report by the International Energy Agency” (last name). With such improvement biofuels should be the obvious answer to providing a better future to th...
It is believed that the world's supply of oil will last until about 2040. If you think about it, that’s not too far in the distance future. Oil is running out fast and we need to think of an alternate energy source. When we burn oil, we release carbon dioxide into the air which causes the earth’s climate to warm; a temperature rise of 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit could have serious if not devastating consequences. In the United States alone 60 percent of each person’s carbon footprint comes from the goods they buy, while the other 40 percent comes from their energy use at home, driving, and flying. That totals out to be about 10 billion tons a year. There are other energy sources but let’s think about the environmental and energy benefits of algae biofuel. Algae was first explored as a fuel alternative in 1978. Gas prices had skyrocketed, and the government was looking to help ease the crisis. The Aquatic Species Program run by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, researched high oil-output algae for biofuel. After testing 3,000 types of algae, the program concluded that the algae, if...
Biodiesel is considered an environmentally friendly alternative because it reduces the amount many toxic substances. Plants such as soybeans require carbon dioxide from the air to produce their stems, roots and leaves. During biodiesel production from soybean oil, carbon dioxide is produced and released in the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is considered a green house gas (GHG). However, this cycle of GHG emission does not neccersarily contribute to the atmospheric carbon dioxide levels. This is because the next soybean crop will reuse the carbon dioxide emitted for its growth. Another important environmental benefit is that biodiesel reduces particulate matter (PM), hydrocarbon (HC) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions. These benefits occur because biodiesel contains 11% oxygen by weight. Oxygen allows the fuel to burn better, resulting in fewer emissions from unburned fuel. And lastly, biodiesel fuels do not contain any sulfur and does not have an unpleasant smell when it is emitted from vehicles.
Algae were then measured using the ocular micrometer and the previously determined conversion factor was used to calculate the true algal cell size. The diameter of the cell was measured in the species Chlorella sp., Haematococcus sp., Chlamydomonas sp. The length and width of the cell were measured in Scenedesmus sp. Average cell size and the standard deviation were then calculated for each species of algae, based upon the longest dimension of the
Shippling, Taylor. THE GENETIC ENGINEERING OF ALGAE TO PRODUCE A MORE EFFICIENT BIOFUEL. University of Pittsburgh, n.d. Web. 1 Dec. 2013.
Phytoplankton may be small, but they are the critical for the food web of the ocean. Because they are one of the primary producers it is important to understand how they absorb and retain energy for others to use it. Different conditions such as light and nutrients yield different outcomes. Using a fluorometer, the effects of light and nutrients absorption was measured based on growth rate and abundance of cultured phytoplankton Tetraselmis suecica. The results were in the form of p-values and converted to growth coefficients using different tests such as the 2 Sample T-Test and Mann-Whitney Test. Based on p-values and growth coefficients, it was then determined which sets of data were significant different(high nutrient vs. low nutrient & high light vs. low light). This showed that light was the primary factor for growth rate and nutrient were the primary factor for abundance.
...ch is used to replace natural gas. He also stated that, among the equipment used to burn the biofuel, the suspension burner have the ability to exceed 99% efficiency and whole-tree burner can reduce the cost of harvesting and handling woody fuels by about 35% (Brown, 2003). Moreover, the usage of bio-energy in long term is to provide a degree of ecological balance and climate change, avoid acid rain, reduce soil erosion and minimize water pollution (Gevorkian, 2007). Therefore, biomass is environmental friendly like solar energy. Based on the research that has been carried out regarding the synthesis of gas from biomass, the gas gasifies in the internal combustion engine. The relative energy density of synthesis gas is higher than the fossil fuel under certain conditions. In addition, the relative flame speed of synthesis gas can reduce the time for spark ignition.
Energy, especially from fossil fuels, is a key ingredient for all sectors of a modern economy and plays a fundamental role in improving the quality of life in less developed economies. In 2007, India is ranked fifth in the world in terms of energy demand; accounting for 3.6% of total energy consumed, and is expected to grow at 4.8% in the future. India imports 70% of the oil it uses, and the country has been hit hard by the increasing price of oil, uncertainty and environmental hazards that are concerned with the consumption of fossil fuels. In such context, bio energy constitutes a suitable alternative source of energy for India, as large amounts of raw material are available to be harnessed.
Biomass gasification is a process by which biofuel is produced. It has been used for over 180 years but in the last decades it has been reconsidered as an interesting technique due to the fact that oil supplies are decreasing. As mentioned before, gasification is a thermal process. Heat is added up in order to convert the organic mass to biofuel. The biomass usually undergoes drying, pyrolysis, partial oxidation and reduction. Nowadays the configurations used for gasification are three: fixed bed gasifier, fluidized bed gasifier and entrained bed gasifiers. The simplest configuration is the
Biodiesel is a non-petroleum based abettor ammunition which consists of the address alkyl esters of continued alternation blubbery acids acquired from renewable lipid sources. Biodiesel is about produced through the acknowledgment of a vegetable oil or beastly fat with booze in the attendance of a agitator to crop glycerin and biodiesel (chemically alleged methyl esters).