BIOMASS&

BIOFUELS

A Renewable Energy Opportunity

Dorothy AbbottExtension Agent, Renewable Resources

University of Delaware Cooperative Extension

BIOMASSAny organic matter which

is available on a renewable basis including

forest residues, agricultural crops and

wastes, wood and wood wastes, animal wastes,

livestock operation residue, aquatic plants and municipal wastes

(USDOE)

Agricultural Biomass

Animal ‘Waste’ Biomass

Forest Residue Biomass

Municipal ‘Waste’ Biomass

“Yard Waste”vs.

“WOOD RESIDUE”

same definition … different meaning

Wood Residue

Wood residues are renewable resources that can be use for energy reducing the dependency on non-renewable resources (i.e., coal, petroleum)

Unlike NON-RENEWABLE natural resources…

RENEWABLES, once used, can be replaced in a

relatively short period of time or even used

continuously without depleting the resource.

HIGHHIGH Heat Values of Native Delaware Trees

Osage-OrangeHickoriesDogwoodPersimmonWhite oakRed oakWhite ashAmerican beech

MODERATEMODERATE Heat Values of Native Delaware Trees

American hollyGreen ashBlack walnutSweetgumBlack cherrySassafrasEastern redcedarBaldcypress

LOWLOW Heat Values of Native Delaware Trees

Yellow-poplarBlack willowEastern white pineEastern cottonwoodRed alderLarge-tooth aspenWeeping willow

Biomass/Biofuel Plantations

Short-rotation woody crop

Herbaceous energy crop

Hybrid willow Switchgrass

Other Biomass Plantation Benefits

Managing a Biomass/Biofuel

Plantation

Maintenance and Harvesting

is important!

BIOENERGY • The conversion of the complex

carbohydrates in organic matter into energy, either by using it directly as a fuel or by processing it into liquids and gasses that are more efficient.

’Bioenergy’ is really the result of taking organic

matter/renewable natural resources and changing this substance into a fuel

source or a BIOFUEL.

BIOFUEL

• Transportation• Heating• Cooling

Transportation

• Ethanol (E85) = produced from corn, trees or other cellulosic material

• Methane = captured from landfills and agricultural livestock facilities

• Biodiesel = created from soybean oil, yellow grease, etc.

Heating

• Biodiesel … home heating oils• Wood … fireplace, pellet stove

(during the 1870’s, wood was the dominate form of domestic energy…

then coal and petroleum became easier and cheaper to use for this purpose)

Cooling

• Chillers fueled by biofuels supply air conditioning needs…

(renewable fuel technologies are advancing rapidly to meet this

need)

Methods of obtaining

BIOFUELS

DIRECTCOMBUSTION

Where plant fiber is broken down and ignited to generate

steam heat

BIOCHEMICAL• Anaerobic digestion =

fermentation in absence of O2 to produce biogas

• Fermentation = using enzymes and yeast

THERMOCHEMICAL

• Gasification = partial combustion of plant fiber to yield gasses ignited for energy

• Liquefaction = heating and condensation of plant material to produce various by-products

… for BIOENERGY options to be utilized, they must first be

manufactured and made available at a cost

competitive/market price

In Conclusion

BIOMASS

… is a VALUABLE Bio-energy fuel!

THANK YOU!

For more information on bioenergy activities through the University of Delaware, feel free to contact me

@ (302) 730-4000 or email: dotad@udel.edu