Sources of Biomass
Land crops: Lignocellusic material from trees of Eucalyptus, Poplar, Firs, Pines, Leucaena and starch crops like maize, cassava and sugar crops like cane and beet.
Aquatic plants: Unicellular algae, multicellular algae, aquatic weeds like water hyaiinth, hydrilla etc.
Wastes: Like manure, domestic rubbish, municipal waste / sewage.
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Agro-industrial wastes: Wood and crop residues like straw, husks, citrus peels, molasses, willow dust, press mud, paper sludge etc.
Biomass resources can be divided into three categories:
(i) Biomass in its traditional form or solid mass (wood & agricultural waste): In this category, energy is obtained by burning the biomass directly.
(ii) Biomass in its non-traditional form: In this category the biomass is converted into methanol or ethanol.
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(iii) In the third category, biomass in its gaseous form: In this category biogas is produced from anaerobic fermentation of biomass.
Advantages of Biomass as a source of energy
(i) Storage is possible.
(ii) Transportation possible.
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(iii) It is renewable.
(iv) High energy fuels can be obtained.
(v) Low capital input required.
(vi) Can be developed with present man and material abilities.
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(vii) It is ecologically safe and is inoffensive.
(viii) It does not increase C02 content of the atmosphere.
Disadvantages
(i) Land and water use competition.
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(ii) Solar energy a source of biomass is diffuse and intermittent.
(iii) Collecting and storing it is bulky and costly.
(iv) Supply uncertainty initially.
(v) Costs uncertain.
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(vi) Fertilizer, soil, water required.
(vii) Low conversion efficiency (per cent solar energy trapped.)