Biomass

Biomass is a sustainable source of energy. Biomass is the plant matter obtained from a process called photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is a process where solar energy is used. In a simple photosynthesis process, water and carbon dioxide gets reacted while exposed to solar radiation yielding some organic material. Biomass can be produced from trees, plants, bush, grass and algae. Residues like straw, stalks, leaves, roots, oilseed shells, groundnut shells, husk, molasses, coconut shells, saw dust, woodchips, human waste, animal waste etc. also produce biomass. Based on the technique adopted for the production of energy from biomass, there exist three categories. They are thermochemical method, biochemical method and oil extraction method. Thermochemical conversion deals with combustion, gasification and pyrolysis. In the combustion method, biomass is burnt to produce power. In gasification process, biomass is converted to producer gas. Pyrolysis is the thermal decomposition of biomass in the absence of oxygen. In biochemical conversion, an anaerobic digestion leads to the production of biogas and a fermentation process leads to the production of alcohol fuels. In oil extraction method, edible and non-edible oils are extracted from a variety of grains and seeds. Sulphur emission is very low while using biomass.