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BIOLOGICAL ENERGY
Sustainable biological energy, also called biomass, is
energy created from living or recently living organisms.
In most cases, biomass refers to energy derived from
plant material, but this is not technically a
limitation. While fossil fuels such as oil are also
derived from living organisms, they are typically not
included in biomass discussions because they are created
over millions of years rather than years or decades.
Fossil fuels also release carbon to the atmosphere that
has long been removed from the carbon cycle, and
increase the current levels of greenhouse gases, whereas
biomass fuels return carbon to the atmosphere that was
recently absorbed by plants or animals. In other words,
the primary difference between fossil fuels and biomass
is simply a matter of time.
Because it is derived from living material, the energy
density of biomass fuel is typically fairly low, due
primarily to high water content. Most materials will
have to be dried and/or processed in some way to make
them viable for use, meaning that some external energy
will have to be added to begin the process.
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There are several viable options of biological energy
creation. The most common is virgin wood, which means
burning trees or wood chips that have not be processed
or treated with varnishes or other synthetic materials.
They are of course replaceable if planting keeps pace
with harvesting, and is relatively cheap to use.
Additionally, wood-industry by-products, such as pulp or
a liquid waste known as “wood liquor” can also be used
for energy production.
A second source of biomass energy is known as energy
crops, which are agricultural products grown primarily
for energy use. One of the most important biofuels
currently in production is ethanol, a corn-based
alternative to petroleum. Ethanol is often mixed with
other fuels to create a hybrid fuel, such as the common
E-85, which is eighty-five percent ethanol and fifteen
percent gasoline. E-85 is already in common use in
Sweden, and in parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Ethanol production plants in the American Midwest helped
to mitigate the recent oil shortage, and many vehicles
now come equipped with the ability to utilize either
standard gasoline or ethanol mixtures.
Another important energy crop is biodiesel, which is
fuel derived from fatty compounds. Biodiesel can be
created in almost any combination of petroleum and
bio-based fuels, and can be used in standard diesel
engines without costly modifications. Biodiesel is also
used in many parts of Europe as a heating fuel,
particularly in home applications.
A third option is anaerobic digestion, in which bacteria
are used to break down organic products into simpler
materials. The byproduct of this reaction is methane
gas, which can be burned as is, or further refined to
make it acceptable for vehicle fuel. Additionally, one
of the waste products of this reaction is a liquid
liquor that is used as a fertilizer.
However, though biomass is certainly sustainable, there
are environmental impacts noted from increased usage.
Like fossil fuels, biomass release carbon-based
compounds into the atmosphere, and may contribute to
increased climate impacts in the immediate area. For
example, increasing Central and South American smog
levels are attributed in part to widespread use of
biomass fuels. Energy crops, in order to be of
sufficient quality, typically require large amounts of
fertilizer, which is often made from ammonia or other
environmentally damaging components. These chemicals can
be washed into rivers or streams, or even soak into
groundwater.
Published by Carol Foss - in the hope that it will make
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