In the search for new energies that allow us to free ourselves from the dependence of fossil fuels, one of the energy sources that has taken a renewed prominence has been biomass and all the ways in which it can occur. It is an energy that, although it is not completely clean, it is presented as a renewable energy and that allows a quite attractive gas emissions balance. If you want to know more about this type of fuel, keep reading ecology in which we explain to you What is biomass energy and what is it for.
What is biomass energy
Biomass is a fuel that is obtained from organic matter. His name derives from the prefix “bio” (life) and the word mass. That is, “living matter.” In this way, biomass is a type of fuel that is characterized by being manufactured from organic matter. Although we often think that biomass only refers to what is obtained with wood as fuel, the reality is that there are many other types. Next we will talk about the different types of biomass.
What types of biomass exist
Actually, there are as many types of biomass as they want to manufacture. When talking about biomass, reference is usually made to organic fuels obtained from wood. The most common example of all is the “pellets”, which are wood chips that are obtained from the WASHERY INDUSTRY WASTE and that are pressed to form small cylinders of a smaller size than that of an alkaline battery. These pellets are marketed in sacks, which are used as a fuel of biomass boilers, which are the equipment where it is burned to obtain energy that can be used in different ways.
However, in addition to pellets, there are Many other types of biomass. In fact, if we think of firewood (the same one used to light the chimneys) all we are doing is to think about the oldest biomass of all, that which has been using the human being to heat up since prehistoric times.
On the other hand, in addition to pellets and firewood, biomass can be obtained from any organic matter that, once it has dried, founces easily. Thus, Biomass can be obtained of:
- The remains of food.
- Of waste from the agricultural industry.
- From the excrement of herbivorous animals.
Biomass energy: clean or polluting?
Biomass is a renewable energy because it is not exhausted, it can be obtained infinitely from the natural resources offered by organic life. However, it is not a totally clean energy.
When biomass is burned produces two types of waste: ash and gases. Since ashes are the result of the combustion of organic matter, many of these ashes can be used as natural fertilizers or even in the manufacture of cements or to fight against black tides (since they have the ability to adhere to the crude oil quite easily).
Gases are the other type of waste generated by biomass, there are different types, but the one that stands out above any other is the CO2 (The main of all the gases responsible for the greenhouse effect). In this way, before the question of whether it is a clean energy, the correct answer is that no, Biomass is not a clean energy. However, this statement must be nuanced and then we will explain it to you.
Why biomass is not considered clean energy
The nuances of which we talked before we found them in the way of manufacturing it. Keep in mind that, to obtain biomass, first It is necessary to plant vegetables (especially trees) that serve as the basis for producing biomass in its different forms. In this way, although CO2 is released during the combustion of biomass, it must be taken into account that, to produce that biomass, it has been necessary for a large amount of CO2 (which was already present in the atmosphere) was absorbed by plants for their growth. In this way, although biomass generates CO2 in its combustion, also destroys CO2 during its production. Therefore, many people talk about a Energy with “neutral carbon footprint”that is, it does not reduce the amount of CO2 present in the atmosphere, but it does not expand it either.
Taking this into account, it is inevitable that we ask ourselves a question, but will it not be better for those trees not to be talled to make biomass and continue to produce oxygen? Of course. But the reality is that biomass is obtained from plantations that are expressly developed To this end, never from primary forests (those that have grown naturally and without influence from the hand of man). That is, if it were not for biomass they would not be planted, so the CO2 level in the atmosphere would not be reduced with this activity.
Biomass energy advantages
The main advantage that biomass presents against other types of energies is that, although we have already said that it is not completely clean, it is considerably cleaner than when fossil fuels are used (coal, oil and gas) and that, in addition, has a very high calorific value. This places it as a good Transition energythat is, a useful energy between very polluting and completely clean. In other words, that we burn biomass instead of diesel, the impact on the environment will be considerably lower.
However, the advantages of biomass are made patent when compared to fossil fuels. In the event that we made this comparison with completely clean and renewable energies, such as solar or wind energy, biomass energy would be in a clear second place.
Biomass boiler operation
A Biomass boiler is the equipment in which biomass burns to obtain energy that can be used to meet human needs (from heat radiators and water that comes out through the tap to produce electricity).
Exist different types of biomass boilers. The largest are intended for electrical production, and depending on size, they allow generating energy to meet the energy needs of several homes. While the smallest are those that are usually associated with individual homes and domestic use. They are the ones that allow to enjoy hot water and heating in a single home and, in case of having a more advanced equipment, also of electricity for the home itself.
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