Biomass Energy Conversion

ELTR 1223Survey of Renewable

Energy Technology

Biomass Energy Conversion

Unit 10

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Use Policy This material was developed by

Timothy J. Wilhelm, P.E., Kankakee Community College, with funding from the National Science Foundation as part of ATE Grant No. 0802786.

All materials in this presentation are designed and intended for educational use, only. They may not be used for any publication or commercial purposes.

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Author, Editors/Reviewers Author: Timothy J. Wilhelm, P.E.,

Kankakee Community College Editors/Reviewers Modifiers: Chris Miller Heartland Community

College

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Objectives Students will be able to describe, in

very simple terms, the difference between fossilized carbon and short-cycle carbon, and the impact each has on the atmosphere when used as a fuel resource.

Students will be able to describe and discuss, in simple terms, biomass energy conversion via direct combustion.

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Objectives Students will be able to describe and

discuss, in simple terms, biomass energy conversion via direct expulsion or extraction.

Students will be able to describe and discuss, in simple terms, biomass energy conversion via pyrolytic decomposition.

Students will be able to describe and discuss, in simple terms, biomass energy conversion via microbial decomposition.

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“Carbon Footprint” All plant, microbe, insect, and animal

(including human) life is carbon-based. Carbon-based or carbon-related energy conversions are the basis of sustaining all life on our planet.

The primary fuel that sustains nearly all life forms is sugar. Sugar is a carbon-based fuel.

We cannot eliminate carbon-based energy conversions, nor is it necessary…

“Carbon Footprint”• What we want to avoid is energy conversions

involving “fossilized carbon.”• “Fossilized carbon” is the excess carbon from

Earth’s ancient atmosphere that is now sequestered in the crust of the earth.

• When we use fossilized carbon as a fuel resource we recreate our ancient atmosphere.

• When we carefully use “short-cycle carbon” as a fuel resource we do not impact the carbon balance in the atmosphere.

• “Short-cycle carbon” is stored in biomass.

What is “Biomass?”

Renewable organic materials, such as wood, wild grasses and other wild plant

material, agricultural crops or wastes, municipal wastes, algae, Etc.

What is Biomass Energy Conversion?

Direct combustion of biomass, Extraction of convenient fuel

commodities from biomass, Capture of convenient fuel

commodities from biomass microbial-decomposition,

Capture of convenient fuel commodities from biomass pyrolytic-decomposition.

Direct Combustion of Biomass

Direct Combustion of Biomass FIRE!

Requires appropriate biomass-fuel, ignition-heat, and oxygen.

Used primarily when and where heat is immediately needed. Space heating Food preparation/cooking Other “process” heating

Direct-combustion EvolutionWood burning – open fire

Direct-combustion EvolutionWood burning – open fire, indoors

Direct-combustion EvolutionWood burning – open fireplace

Direct-combustion EvolutionWood burning – Franklin Stove

Direct-combustion EvolutionWood burning – Heatilator Firebox

Direct-combustion EvolutionWood burning – Catalytic Combustion

Source: http://www.decorativeheating.co.uk/acatalog/defiantwood_s.jpg

Direct-combustion EvolutionPellet burning stoves

Source: http://www.opcaoverde.com.br/residuosflorestais/pellet2.jpg Source: http://www.northerntool.com/images/product/images/158971_med.gif?01AD=3IuMzNGLBdVCVTFwU9V2DUPq6RjG0HtNCapqZOSGVR65zcGQ41bVErw&01RI=6C08107379E4ADE&01NA=

Direct-combustion EvolutionCorn burning stoves

Finland’s Wood-Fired Central Heating Plants

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Location_of_Tampere_in_Finland.png/200px-Location_of_Tampere_in_Finland.png

Finland’s Wood-Fired Central Heating Plants

Finland’s Wood-Fired Central Heating Plants

Finland’s Wood-Fired Central Heating Plants

Forestry is a major industry in Finland. This results in massive amounts of “waste” biomass.

Finland’s Wood-Fired Central Heating Plants

Forestry is a major industry in Finland. This results in massive amounts of “waste” biomass.

Finland’s Wood-Fired Central Heating Plants

Steam/Hot Water is piped to homes and businesses all over the district.

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/2005-08-30-district-heating-pipeline.jpg/200px-2005-08-30-district-heating-pipeline.jpg

Source: http://www.bioenergie-promotion.fr/wp-content/gallery/image-du-jour/thumbs/thumbs_la-chaufferie-biomasse-alholmens-kraft-a-pietarsaari-en-finlandela-plus-importante-du-monde-avec-550-mwth-consomme-annuellement-lequivalent-de-15-million-de-m3-de-bois.jpg

Expelling and Extracting Seed Oils

Source: http://cocheseco.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/biodiesel.jpg

Source: http://www.bionomicfuel.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/who-are-major-industry-players-in-making-biofuel_1.jpg

Expressing or expelling seed oils• Commonly referred to as “bio-diesel.”• Can be “thinned,” and made less viscous

to directly replace #2 diesel oil in combustion-ignition engines.

• Can be waste vegetable oil, filtered and burned straight.

• Can be PPO (Pure Plant Oil) burned straight.

• “Un-thinned” oil requires mist-injection or specially designed engines.

Oil expelled via expeller presses

Oil extracted via solvent extraction

Source: http://image.made-in-china.com/2f1j00jvmErtfKsaqT/Vegetable-Oil-Solvent-Extraction.jpg

Waste Vegetable Oil – Must be filtered

Source: http://www.greasecar.com/article.cfm?aid=19&pn=8

Bio-diesel = transesterficationby-product = crude glycerol (glycerine)

YUCK!

Pyrolytic Decomposition

Pyrolysis

• Pyrolysis is heating organic material in an absence of oxygen.

• This drives off volatile gasses and leaves behind “char” material.

• The volatile gasses will immediately burn as a vaporous fuel.

• The solid char material can be stored and used as a solid fuel, later.

The Nazis’ Dilemma

Source: http://wizbangpop.com/images/2009/11/Nazi_Volkswagen-thumb.jpg

The Nazis’ Solution – “Producer Gas”

Wood Gasification

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8b/Gaz-42.jpg

Reviving an OldTechnology

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/37/Wood_gasifier_on_epa_tractor.jpg/300px-Wood_gasifier_on_epa_tractor.jpg

Reviving an OldTechnology

Source: http://redferret.theredferret.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/beaverenergywoodpoweredcar_small2.jpg

Source: http://static.newworldencyclopedia.org/thumb/7/71/99woodgas.jpg/350px-99woodgas.jpg

Microbial DecompositionAnaerobic Bacterial

Digestion

Source: http://www.moonbattery.com/archives/farting-cow.jpg

Methane Production CH4 – the main constituent of

“Natural Gas” Methane digestion is a 2-step

process Acid-forming bacteria break down

organic matter creating simple acids: acetic (vinegar), butyric, formic, and propionic.

Methane-forming bacteria make “bio-gas:” methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, CO2 , and water vapor.

Bio-gas burns!

Bio-gas Production From Manure

Source: http://museumvictoria.com.au/futureharvest/images/funny1.gif

Small-Scale Biogas Digestion

Inner Tube Digestor

Biogas for Heat, Light, and Engine Fuel

Chicken Poop Power!

Source: http://www.green-trust.org/2000/biofuel/batesm3.gif

Microbial DecompositionFermentation

Anaerobic Yeast Digestion

Source: http://i30.servimg.com/u/f30/11/18/35/83/e8510.jpg

Ethanol Fermentation and Distillation

C2H5OH – Ethanol = Ethyl Alcohol

Source: http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/make-your-own-ethanol-1.jpg

The Process Steps• Milling – expose starch, increase surface area• Cooking – amylase conversion of starch to sugar• Fermentation – yeasts consume sugar and excrete

CO2 and C2H5OH as metabolic wastes – BEER!• Distillation – boiling the beer, and re-condensing

the C2H5OH at its precise boiling point…makes an azeotrope…95% C2H5OH = 190 Proof Everclear!

• Azeotropic Distillation – Special, involved process• Waste Disposal – you must deal with the left overs!

Milling

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/Hammer_mill_open_front_full.jpg/200px-Hammer_mill_open_front_full.jpg

Source: http://www.nutridieta.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/gluten-300x300.jpg

Brewing

Fermentation

Separation/Filtration

Source: http://www.waterwise.co.uk/images/products/recirculated-systems-2.gif

Distillation

Source: http://img.tradekey.com/images/uploadedimages/products/5/9/A1203963-20081202010959.jpg

Home Brew!

Source: http://slightlychristopher.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/moonshine_still_sugar_valley-e1284861615897.jpg?w=550&h=359

Other Fermentation Processes• Different “bugs” eat sugar, and give off

different waste byproducts:– Methanol = methyl alcohol– Butanol = butyl alcohol– See the American Type Culture Collection

• These different alcohols can be used to create synthetic materials, just like plastics are made from petroleum!

Today’s Assignment!• Explain the word “chemurgy” and it’s

relationship to biomass energy conversions, as part of a renewable energy strategy for the USA.

• Find out what fuel Henry Ford designed the Model T to burn, and give a brief explanation of his strategy.

• Explain the relationship between the science of microbiology and biomass energy conversion technology.