Biomass conversion process
Energy stored in biomass materials is in form of chemical energy. To be able to utilize this energy, a conversion technique must be applied, which may by;
(a)
By direct combustion, the chemical
energy is converted to heat. This heat can be used for heating purposes, or for
power production e.g in steam turbines. This is conventional way of utilizing
biomass since it is accompanied by a number of drawbacks such as energy losses
due to technological factors, health hazards and environmental degradation.
(b)
It is also possible to convert
biomass materials to gases, liquids or carbon rich solids which can be used for
heat and power production in a subsequent process such as combustion, gasification
and pyrolysis. In order to produce heat, electrical power or a combination of
these from biomass materials, the following conversion techniques can be
applied:-
(i)
Biochemical conversion
(ii)
Physical/chemical conversion
(iii)
Thermochemical conversion
(i) Biochemical conversion
Biochemical
conversion process involves a fermentation process to release alcohol, and
anaerobic digestion process to convert biomass to a gaseous state. The alcohol
route produces 'bio-ethanol' or a 'bio-fuel'.
(ii)
Physical/chemical conversion
The physical process involves densification and drying
processes. Densification process is a
technique for upgrading biomass residues for utilization as energy source.
During densification, loose low density biomass materials are forced under high
pressure to form a high density and durable biomass, in a form of pellets or
briquettes.
Thermochemical conversion processes
Thermochemical
conversion, or degradation of biomass materials may be divided into four
processes:
· - Combustion
· - Pyrolysis
· - Liquefaction
· -Gasification
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