MEng/PG Dip in Energy Technology 2010/2011

Term II

ME5026 - BIO-ENERGY

AGT Sugathapala
Thermo-Fluids & Energy Group
Department of Mechanical Engineering
University of Moratuwa

October 2011
 CONTENT
Section 1: Introduction
Section 2: Sources of Biomass
Case Studies:
Assessment of Sustainable Biomass Resource
Potentials
(i) Agricultural Residues
(ii) Municipal Solid Waste
(iii) Animal Waste
(iv) Waste Water
(v) Fuel Wood from Traditional Sources
(vi) Biomass Conservation
(vii) Biomass Generated by Substitutions
(viii) New Fuel Wood Plantations
Section 3: Characteristics of Biomass
Section 4: Energy Plantation
 CONTENT
Section 5: Biomass Conversion Technologies:
An Overview
Section 6: Biomass Combustion
Section 7: Biomass Gasification
Section 8: Biomass Pyrolysis
Section 9: Biogas
Section 10: Bio-fuels
 SECTION 1

INTRODUCTION
 1.1: GRNERAL
Biomass
– Biomass is biological material derived from living, or
living organisms.
– In the context of biomass for energy this is often
used to mean plant based material.
– But, biomass can equally apply to both animal and
vegetable derived material.
– Biomass is carbon based and is composed of a
mixture of organic molecules containing hydrogen,
usually including atoms of oxygen,
– In addition, biomass often contain nitrogen and also
small quantities of other atoms, including alkali,
alkaline earth and heavy metals.
 1.1: GRNERAL
Biomass
– The most important biomass materials are the direct
product of photosynthesis, e.g. wood, cereals,
grasses etc. and the wastes associated with their
processing.
– Plants may subsequently be eaten by animals and
thus converted into animal biomass. However the
primary absorption is performed by plants.
– If plant material is not eaten it is generally either
broken down by micro-organisms or burned.
– If broken down it releases the carbon back to the
atmosphere, mainly as either CO2 or CH4, depending
upon the conditions and processes involved.
– If burned the carbon is returned to the atmosphere as
CO .
 1.1: GRNERAL
Biomass
– The energy stored in the plant is recycled naturally
through a series of conversions involving chemical
and physical processes in the plant, the soil, the
surrounding atmosphere and other living matter.
– Most of this energy is eventually radiated away from
the earth as low-temperature heat.
– A small fraction of energy may remain in peat and a
tiny proportion may slowly become fossil fuel energy
 1.1: GRNERAL
Biomass
– These processes have happened for as long as there
have been plants on the Earth and is part of what is
known as the carbon cycle.
 1.1: GRNERAL
Biomass
– Biomass has always been a major source of energy
for mankind.
– The primary source which supplies the energy to
biomass is the sun, as solar energy is used indirectly
to grow plants by photosynthesis.

SOLAR BIOMASS ENERGY

PHOTOSYNTHESIS
ENERGY (Complex Polymers) GENERATION
 1.1: GRNERAL
Photosynthesis
– Radiant energy of sun is absorbed by the green
pigment chlorophyll in the plant and is stored within
the plant in the form of chemical bond energy.
– Photosynthesis in the plants is an example of
biological conversion of solar energy into sugars and
starches which are energy rich compounds.
– The process of photosynthesis is extremely complex
and consists of a series of reactions catalyzed by
certain enzymes.
– In all, water and CO2 molecules broken down and a
carbohydrate is formed with the release of pure
oxygen.
– A simple chemical equation for photosynthesis,
neglecting the intermediate steps, can be written as
(Chlorophyll)
6CO 2  6H 2 O  Light       C 6 H12O 6  6O 2
 1.1: GRNERAL
Biomass Energy
– Photosynthesis predominantly takes place in the
plant leaves.
– Less than five percent of solar energy incident on a
leaf is absorbed while the rest is reflected and
transmitted.
– The energy conversion efficiency of the
photosynthesis process may be defined by the ratio
of the calorific value of the product to the solar
energy incidence.
– In general the average efficiency is about 2.5%
• This is a rough estimation; there is a wide variation in
efficiency from plant to plant, as example from 0.1% to 10%.
 1.1: GRNERAL
Biomass Energy
– Then, with a solar radiation level of 2000 kWh/yr.m2
and a calorific value for fully dried wood of 18 MJ/kg,
the theoretical maximum production of wood that
could be targeted becomes 100 dry tons per ha per
year.
• Biomass yield of natural forests per year is on average 5 dry
tons/ha
• Shot rotation energy plantation (e.g. Eucalyptus) is 30 dry
tons/ha.
– Each year photosynthesis produces about 100 billion
tons of dry biomass.
– Improved production techniques and species,
plantation in non-agricultural land etc. is believed to
have the potential to raise wood production
drastically.
– It is estimated that the annual potential of wood
utilization for energy is about 6 billion TOE.
 1.1: GRNERAL
Energy Crops
– Numerous crops have been proposed or are being
tested for commercial energy farming.
– Potential energy crops can be divided roughly into
• Woody crops and grasses (all perennial crops),
• Starch & sugar crops and
• Oilseeds
• Aquatics (hydroponics)
– In general, the characteristics of the ideal energy crop
are:
• High yield (i.e. maximum production of dry matter per unit
area),
• Low energy input,
• Low cost and
• Composition with the least contaminants and nutrients.
 1.1: GRNERAL
Energy Crops
– Desired characteristics will also depend on local
climate and soil conditions.
– High levels of biomass production need to be
balanced against the potentially damaging impacts of
some crop management techniques
• Water consumption can be a major constraint in many areas
of the world and make drought resistance of the crop an
important factor.
• Other important characteristics are pest resistance and
fertilizer requirements.
 1.2: CURRENT STATUS OF
BIO ENERGY
Share of Bio-energy
– Biomass accounts for approximately 13% of the
global energy use.
– At a regional level, the share of biomass energy in
total energy consumption varies significantly.
• In the developing countries the contribution of biomass to
the total energy use is about 33%.
• In industrial countries the contribution was about 3%.
Region In 1971 (%) In 2001 (%)
OECD 2 3
Non-OECD Europe 4 5
Latin America 31 18
Asia 48 25
Africa 62 49
OECD - Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
 1.2: CURRENT STATUS OF
BIO ENERGY
Share of Bio-energy
– Share of global final energy consumption in 2008
(Total consumption = 8000 Million TOE; 1 TOE = 41.84 GJ)
 1.2: CURRENT STATUS OF
BIO ENERGY
Share of Bio-energy
– Share of global electricity from renewables in 2008
 1.2: CURRENT STATUS OF
BIO ENERGY
Share of Bio-energy
– Share of global electricity from NCREs in 2009
(Total = 305 GW; Biomass = 54 GW; Large Hydro = 925 GW)
 1.2: CURRENT STATUS OF
BIO ENERGY
Share of Bio-energy
– Conversion Factors
 1.2: CURRENT STATUS OF
BIO ENERGY
Role of Bio-energy in Household Sector
– Household energy use in developing countries
totaled 1090 million TOE in 2004, almost 10% of world
primary energy demand.
– Household use of biomass in developing countries
alone accounts for almost 7% of world primary
energy demand.
• However, in OECD countries, biomass demand comes mostly
from the power generation and industry sectors, while in
developing countries these sectors represent only 12%.
 1.2: CURRENT STATUS OF
BIO ENERGY
Role of Bio-energy in Household Sector
– People relying on biomass resources as their primary
fuel for cooking
 1.2: CURRENT STATUS OF
BIO ENERGY
Recent Trends
– In the recent past, there has been renewed interest
worldwide in biomass as an energy source.
– Reasons:
• Technological developments relating to the conversion, crop
production, etc. promise the application of biomass at lower
cost and with higher conversion efficiency than was possible
previously.
• For example, when low cost biomass residues are used for
fuel, the cost of electricity is now often competitive with fossil
fuel based power generation.
• More advanced options to produce electricity are looking
promising and allow a cost-effective use of energy crops.
• Production of methanol and hydrogen by means of
gasification processes may be another promising application
route.
 1.2: CURRENT STATUS OF
BIO ENERGY
Recent Trends
– Reasons:
• The potential threat of climate change caused by high
emission levels of greenhouse gases (CO2 being the most
important one) has become a major stimulus for renewable
energy sources in general.
• Biomass, when produced sustainably, emits roughly the
same amount of Carbon during conversion as is taken up
during plant growth. The use of biomass therefore does not
contribute to a build up CO2 in the atmosphere.
• Biomass is also an indigenous energy source available in
most countries and application may diversify the fuel supply
in many situations which in turn may lead to a more secure
energy supply.
 1.2: CURRENT STATUS OF
BIO ENERGY
Recent Trends
– Reasons:
• Biomass can generate employment and if intensive
agriculture is replaced by less intensively managed energy
crops there might be environmental benefits, such as
reduced leaching of fertilizers and reduced pesticide use.
• Moreover, if appropriate crops are selected, restoration of
degraded lands may be possible as well.
• Depending on the crops used and the way the biomass is
cultivated an increase in bio-diversity may be obtained
compared to current agriculture..
 1.2: CURRENT STATUS OF
BIO ENERGY
Potential
– The potential of biomass energy from forest and
agricultural residues worldwide can be estimated at
about 30 EJ/yr, compared to a worldwide energy
demand of over 400 EJ.
– Clearly, if biomass is to contribute to a larger extent
to the world's energy supply, then energy farming
(i.e. cultivation of dedicated crops for energy
purposes) will be required.
– Both fallow land and marginal lands, the latter being
largely unsuited for food crops, could be used for
this purpose. When energy crops are considered as a
source of biomass, the total energy potential of
biomass for energy production may be considerably
larger than the energy potential of biomass residues.
– Up to 200-300 EJ/yr has been estimated in various
energy scenarios for the world's energy supply in the
future.
 1.2: CURRENT STATUS OF
BIO ENERGY
Bio-fuels
– Another important application of biomass is related
use of biofuels, the liquid transport fuels derived
from biomass.
– Biofuels hold out the prospect of replacing
substantial volumes of imported oil with indigenously
produced renewable fuels and of diversifying the
sources of energy supply.
– Such a development would bring energy-security
benefits to importing countries.
– Produced in a sustainable way, it could also bring
environmental benefits, including lower GHG
emissions.
– Biofuels can also contribute to rural development and
job creation.
 1.3: Sources of Bio-Energy
and Bio-Fuels
Supply of Biomass
– The supply of biomass mainly comes from fuel-wood
and agricultural residues from home gardens,
traditional plantation, natural forests, forest
plantation and other agricultural lands.
– Agricultural residues include both field-based
residues such as paddy straw, sugar cane tops,
maize stalks and process-based residues such as
paddy husks, coconut shells, coconut husks, coir
dust, bagasse, maize cobs, maize husks.
– Saw dust is also an important process-based
biomass residue.
– In addition, biomass resources include animal waste
and municipal solid waste.
 1.3: Sources of Bio-Energy
and Bio-Fuels
Supply of Biomass
– Most present systems for deriving energy from
biomass are using wastes or residues associated
with plants or animal products cultivated for other
purposes.
– Urban and industrial wastes are not so evidently
biomass (e.g. plastic bags and tin cans), but
nevertheless much of the content of the average
household waste is of biological origin, especially in
developing countries.
– In general, bio-fuels are any solid, liquid or gaseous
fuels produced from organic materials, either directly
from plants or indirectly from industrial, commercial,
domestic or agricultural wastes.
 1.4: Biomass Conversion
Categories
– Direct Combustion
• Combustion of raw biomass or after relatively simple
physical processing involving sorting, chipping,
compressing and/or air-drying
– Biochemical Conversion
• Conversion of biomass into intermediate fuels (gaseous or
liquid) by natural biological processes such as Anaerobic
digestion and Fermentation.
– Thermochemical Conversion
• Conversion of biomass into intermediate fuels (solid, liquid
or gaseous) by action of heat under controlled conditions.
• Processes in this category include Pyrolysis, Gasification
and Liquefaction.
 1.5: Advantages and
Disadvantages of Biomass
Advantages
– Low cost (often no cost in the rural areas of the developing
countries)
– Simpler storage compared to other renewable energy sources
– Biomass is low sulfur fuel so that expensive pollution control
equipment for sulfur oxides removal are not required in biomass
combustion systems or it can be suitably mixed with high sulfur
fuels to keep emissions within acceptable limits
– Biomass can be upgraded to convenient fuels (e.g. charcoal,
producer gas or liquid fuels) in order to serve a wide range of
end uses
– No hazards in processing biomass
– Controls CO2 content in atmosphere
– Employment generation
 1.5: Advantages and
Disadvantages of Biomass
Disadvantages
– Low heating value of about 18 MJ per kg of dry matter compared
to the fossil fuels (e.g. Coal 33.5 MJ/kg, Oil 44 MJ/kg)
– Biomass often has a high moisture content (e.g. about 50% in
case of freshly harvested tree and about 20% in air dried wood)
resulting problems in combustion (conversion). The moisture
evaporates and absorbs latent heat during combustion reducing
the net heat available from the dry matter.
– Low bulk density of certain biomass materials makes their
transportation and storage expensive (e.g. bulk density of
paddy husk and saw dust are approximately 100 kg/m3 and 350
kg/m3)
– Low concentration of biomass per unit area of land (and water)
– Scarcity of additional land suitable for growing plants
 1.6: COUNTRY DATA
Local Energy Scenario by Sector / Source - 2007
26% Industry
Energy Consumption by 48%
Sector in 2007 Transport
(Total 8,233.0 TOE) 26%
HH, Comm, & Other

12% Biomass
17% Energy Consumption in
Petroleum Industry by Source in 2007
71% (Total 2,111.0 TOE)
Electricity

9% 11%
Biomass
Energy Consumption in
Household, Commercial & others Petroleum
by Source in 2007 80%
(Total 3,987.8 TOE) Electricity
 1.6: COUNTRY DATA
Share of Primary Energy Supply
 1.6: COUNTRY DATA
Biomass Energy Consumption by Sectors
– In 2003, fuelwood consumption is 12,183106 kg
– Industry: 3,807106 kg (31%).
– Households & Commercial: 8,376106 kg (69%)

Household &
Industry Commercial
27.6%
31% 72.4%
69%
 1.6: COUNTRY DATA
Biomass Energy Consumption by Sectors
– Sector-wise Consumption of fuel wood since 1972
 1.6: COUNTRY DATA
Biomass Energy Consumption by Sectors
– Sector-wise Consumption of fuel wood in 2003
Sector Consumption Sub Total (106 kg)
(106 kg) (%)
Coconut Processing 77
Agro Industry Rubber Processing 91 788 (7.0%)
Tea Processing 620
Brick 887
Manufacturing Tiles 630 1781 (15.8%)
Industry Lime 265
Household Fuel wood for Cooking 8351 8351 (74.1%)
Commercial Sector Bakeries, Hotels 352 352 (3.1%)
Charcoal Production Fuel wood for Charcoal 0.6 0.6
Production
Total 11,273
 1.6: COUNTRY DATA
Fuel Wood Supply by Source
– Estimated figures

Source of Supply Amount (%)

Home gardens 26
Coconut 19
Crop lands 19
Natural forest 7
Rubber wood 7
Forest plantation 4
Processing residues 3
Others 14
1.7: RECENT INITIATIVES IN BIO-
ENERGY SECTOR IN SRI LANKA
Policy level initiatives
– Declaration of Gliricidia Sepium as the forth
plantation crop
– Establishment of SLSEA
– Endorsement of the National Energy Policy.
– Electrification targets
• 100% electrification by 2012 (95% grid electrification and 5%
off-grid electrification).

– RE development targets
• Contribution from NCRE for electricity generation: 10% by
2016 and 20% by 2020.
1.7: RECENT INITIATIVES IN BIO-
ENERGY SECTOR IN SRI LANKA
Policy level initiatives
– Revision the tariff structure for the renewable energy
based electricity generation
1.7: RECENT INITIATIVES IN BIO-
ENERGY SECTOR IN SRI LANKA
Gliricidia Sepium

(a) Plantation at young age (b) After harvesting

1.7: RECENT INITIATIVES IN BIO-
ENERGY SECTOR IN SRI LANKA
Gliricidia Sepium
– Adapted to wide-ranging agro-climatic and soil
conditions and can be cultivated all over Sri Lanka
except in coastal areas, on mountain tops and in arid
areas.
– Offers series of other complementary benefits as far
as soil and environmental aspects are concerned.
– It is a leguminous tree with very high rate of nitrogen
fixation and used to improve soil, for weed and
erosion control.
– 1.0 hectare of plantation produces an average of 12
tons of fresh foliage which is equivalent to 300 kg of
urea annually.
– The leaves of gliricidia plantations also provide
useful animal fodder.
1.7: RECENT INITIATIVES IN BIO-
ENERGY SECTOR IN SRI LANKA
Gliricidia Sepium
– In the modern method practiced in Sri Lanka, when
using gliricidia as sustainable grown fuel wood
plantations, fuel wood is produced in short rotation
coppicing.
– Under good conditions a minimum yield of 20 T of
wood at 20% moisture level per hectare could be
expected in the dry zone in Sri Lanka.
– If it is grown as an intercrop in coconut plantations, a
yield of 10 T could be expected.
In future woody biomass from dedicated
plantation is likely to be the main source of
bio-energy as the conventional sources have
limitations in supplying biomass sustainably.
1.8: Biomass Energy Technologies
 Resource-Technology-Application Options

43
1.8: Biomass Energy Technologies
 Technologies: Direct Combustion

44
1.8: Biomass Energy Technologies
 Technologies: Gasification

45
1.8: Biomass Energy Technologies
 Technologies: Densification
 Bales, Briquettes, Pellets

Feedstock

Briquette

Hydraulic or
mechanical
piston drive
Nozzle Piston

46
 RE TECHNOLOGIES
 Technologies: Bio-Fuels
 Biogas, Bio-Diesel, Ethanol

47