PLNT 1213 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Biopower, Cellulosic Ethanol, Biogas
Document Summary
Bioenergy: energy that is generated from renewable, organic materials. Electricity or heat produced by burning biomass or biofuels: biogas. Combustible gas formed when biomass decomposes in an environment with no oxygen. Biological material derived from living, or recently living organisms: available on a recurring basis. A product that is used as a starting material to manufacture another product. Characteristics of a good feedstock: high yield, requires few inputs to produce, fits into current farm management, low risk of invasiveness, continuous, consistent supply, easy to harvest/process, limited production of and/or potential use for by-products. Petroleum consumption is increasing and supply is decreasing. Petroleum energy is becoming more costly to produce. A biofuel economy would create enhanced market opportunities for agriculture and forestry. Made from a wide variety of feedstocks. Requires no conversion for the engine a drop-in fuel . Chemical processing methyl esters: refining biodiesel. Some ethanol feedstocks: carbs, trees, sorghum, sugar beets, corn.
