Biomass production primarily originates from plant-based materials and other biological sources. The annual global biomass production is estimated at 105 billion metric tons of carbon, with approximately half produced on land and the other half in the ocean, such as algal biomass.
Sources of Biomass Production:
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Wood: Wood remains the primary source of biomass, utilized in various applications. Examples include forest trees, branches, and wood processing wastes like firewood, wood pellets, and wood chips.
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Agricultural Residues: These include sugarcane bagasse, rice straw, cotton stalks, wheat straw, and crop residues from corn, soybeans, sugar cane, switchgrass, and woody plants. These materials are often used to produce biofuels.
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Municipal Waste: Biogenic materials in municipal solid waste such as paper, cotton, wool products, food, yard, and wood wastes are also considered biomass.
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Animal Manure and Human Sewage: These are utilized for producing biogas or renewable natural gas.
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Purpose-Grown Energy Crops: Crops specifically grown for energy production, such as grasses, are another significant source.
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Food Wastes: Both agricultural and post-consumer food wastes contribute to biomass production.
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Algae: In the ocean, algal biomass forms a substantial part of the global biomass production.
Biomass Conversion and Utilization:
Biomass is converted into energy through combustion, which, while releasing carbon emissions, is still considered renewable due to the annual regeneration of plant stocks. Biomass can also be processed in biorefineries to produce advanced hydrocarbon biofuels, bio-based chemicals, and materials. These biofuels are classified into first and second generations based on the type of biomass used. First-generation biofuels are derived from food or oil crops, while second-generation biofuels utilize lignocellulosic biomass, which is more challenging to deconstruct but is more abundant and sustainable.
Challenges and Developments:
The utilization of lignocellulosic biomass presents a significant challenge due to its complex structure, primarily composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Technological advancements are crucial for efficiently converting this renewable carbon source into economically competitive bio-products compared to those derived from fossil resources.
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