Biomass

Fig: (a)solid biomass

b)biomass after thermal pyrolysis c)liquid bio fuel sample

The word biomass is collectively used generally for the cellulosic and lignocelluloses matter. It may also be used for pertinacious material.  This  type  of  material  obtained  from  living organisms.(1) Biomass  is  consist  of  different  organic  molecules  which  is  carbon based  and consist of hydrogen, usually including atoms of oxygen, often nitrogen and also less amount of other  atoms, for  example alkali metals, alkaline  earth  and  heavy  metals (2). Biomass is the general name for organic materials which is used as renewable energy sources i.e.; wood, crops, and waste (3). In general from the living organisms the matter obtained the biomass are apply to both animal and the vegetable derived material of trees. The biomass which are used Industrially can  be  grown  from different  types of  plants,  including  miscanthus,   poplar,  willow,  sorghum, sugarcane,  and  bamboo(4).  The carbon from biomass is released on combustion into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide. The amount of C stored in dry wood is approximately 50 percent by weight (5). This carbon dioxide is reused by the plants through photosynthesis. Generally all the  organic  matter  of  the  plants  is  produced  through  photosynthesis.  In this process the solar energy convert to chemical energy. This conversion of solar energy other form of energy is a continuous process. This conversion of the solar energy into chemical energy results the formation of biomass. Sun is the main source of all energy in biomass. Biomass is constantly undergoing a complex series of physical and chemical transformations. This simple conversion of  biomass  into  heat  cause  pollution  and  most  part  of  the  energy  is  lost. So therefore more complicated technologies used to obtain this energy and converting it into useful heat or power in a good way.  Facing the shortage of energy biomass has played a key role in the progress of mankind.This energy is the only form of energy which was usefully exploited by humans and is now the main source of energy for more than 1/2 the world’s population for domestic  energy needs.  Biomass  is  the  important  source  of  energy and  the  most  important  fuel throughout  the world  after  coal,  oil  and  natural  gas  (6). Biomass systems can reduce waste energy from 66 percent to 25 percent compared to traditional fossil fuels (7), meaning a significantly less amount of input material (biomass) is used, and therefore having a good effect on the global environment and use of fuel. Generally the extraction of energy from biomass is divided into three distinct categories.

(a) Solid biomass (b) Bio gas (c) Liquid Bio fuels