Biomass
Biomass is organic non-fossil material, collectively. In other words, biomass is all plant (including trees)and animal matter on the Earth's surface.
The most successful animal of the earth, in terms of biomass, is the Antarctic krill, Euphausia superba, with a biomass of probably over 500 million tonnes, roughly twice the total biomass of humans. Humans, domesticated animals and crops comprise somewhere between 40 to 60% of the Earth's biomass. In many ways biomass can be considered as a form of stored solar energy. The energy of the sun is 'captured' through the process of photosynthesis in growing plants.'
Biomass is sometimes burned as fuel for cooking and to produce electricity and heat. This is called Biofuel. Biomass used as fuel often consists of underutilized types, like chaff and animal waste. This is often considered a type of alternative energy although it is a polluting one.
Paradoxically, in some industrialized countries like Germany, food is cheaper than fuel compared by price per joule. Central heating units supplied by food grade wheat or maize are available.
It is also the dried organic mass of an ecosystem. As the trophic level increases, the biomass of each trophic level decreases. That is, producers (grass, trees, scrubs, etc.) will have a much higher biomass than animals that consume the producers (deer, zebras, insects, etc.). The level with the least biomass will be the highest predators in the food chain (foxes, eagles, etc.)
Types of high volume industrial biomass
- Stover
- Bagasse
- Dried distiller's grain
- Meat and bone meal
- Peat
- Silage
- Manure
- Rice hulls
- Whey
- Plate waste
- Landscaping waste
See also
Wikipedia_Energy_Directory_network_icon_95pxw.jpg
Wikipedia Energy Directory
- Energy directory compiles various energy technologies and issues featured at Wikipedia, with emphasis on clean, renewable energy systems.
- Biosphere
- Bioalcohol
- Biofuel
- Biodiesel
- By-product
- Gasohol
- Green power
- Thermal depolymerization
- Wood gas
References
- "Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry", a 2005 joint study sponsored by the United States Department of Energy and Department of Agriculture
Educational Web Site for Biomass and Bioenergy This educational web site created by IEA Bioenergy Task 29 has the aim to inform you about the oldest source of energy used by men.