Sunday, August 4, 2013

Biomass Solutions Can Help Provide Energy

By Cathy Mercer


The search for alternative energy sources has made a lot of people carefully examine the materials available on earth to determine if they can be used for fuel. Part of the search has lead to plants and the material they produce as a source of energy. This material can be changed into biofuels through three different methods and has been able to address the energy needs of some people. The industry is still in its infancy, but biomass solutions are possible to reduce carbon emissions that are endangering the planet.

Biomass is simply the remains of living organisms after they have died and their waste material while alive. All organic life has oxygen, hydrogen and carbon in their cells. These elements can be separated from the cells in used in other applications. At last estimate there was about 146 billion pounds of organic material generated each year throughout the earth. Scientists want to tap into this material to address energy problems.

Scientists can use three different procedures to separate the cells from their elements. By using thermal, chemical and biochemical procedures, a scientist can destroy the organic matter is such a way to transform it and make it useful for other things. Plants and waster can be turned into fuel to power cars and warm homes.

One of the fuels is called ethanol. Ethanol is a liquefied gas they can be added to gasoline to decrease the amount of harmful emissions that gasoline has traditionally emitted into the atmosphere. The amount of ethanol added into gasoline has varied country by country. But it has been shown to lessen the amount of some pollutants from entering into the air.

Biodiesel is another byproduct of transforming organic materials into a fuel source. One of the most common methods used is taking the waste oils from frying foods and turning into a gas to power diesel engines. Oils and fats from vegetables and animals are used in this process. Places like restaurants and commercial kitchens are good sources for this kind of waste since many foods are prepared in these locations and they generate a lot of usable material.

The organic wastes can even be turned into methane gas. Methane can easily be used to heat homes and cook meals just like propane gas. Biogas is universally used around the world and is very important in some regions.

Biomass substances have been used since basically the beginning of human history. Cave dwellers in ancient times would find wood to burn to keep warm and prepare foods. In some parts of the world people gather animal dung to burn and cook meals. Biofuels do not have to originate from plant sources and human and animal waste works just as well.

Research and experience has shown that there are many ways to create energy to use in the world. One material that keeps on getting produced in large amounts every year throughout the globe is organic materials. These materials can be used to achieve biomass solutions in finding alternative methods to produce energy that does not have a negative effect on the world.




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