Biomass+Power

 Thousands of Years of Excellence  By: Christopher Kellogg-Peeler and Arron Juang **
 * **Biomass Power
 * Vocabulary Terms: **


 * ** Organic Matter **-- Any matter coming from a once-living, carbon-based organism. This is one of the materials that is burned to create biomass power.[1]


 * ** Organic Waste ** -- Waste containing carbon compounds that is derived from an organism. This is one of the materials that is burned to create biomass power.[1]


 * ** Biofuels -- Transportation fuels that are made from organic matter and organic wastes. These fuels are used to create biomass power.[1] **


 * ** Gasification ** -- The process of converting solid or liquid biomass into a gas.[1]


 * ** Bagasse ** -- A pulpy mass left after juice has been removed from sugar cane.[1]


 * **Ethanol** -- An alcoholic biofuel made from grasses like sugar cane, corn, and barley. [1] ||

*There are also many other ways to harness biomass energy, such as through hydrogen and biofuels.
 * Traditional Steps to Creating Bioma **** ss Power* **** : **
 * 1) Heat energy is obtained by burning organic matter.[1]
 * 2) This heat energy is then used to turn water into steam.[1]
 * 3) The steam rotates the blades of a turbine.[1]
 * 4) The movement of the turbine creates electrical energy.[1]


 * The Conservation of Energy Throughout the Steps to Creating Biomass Power: **


 * ** Step #1: ** The chemical potential of the organic matter is being transformed into the heat energy of the water.[1]
 * ** Step #2: ** The heat energy of the water is being transformed into the work energy of the steam.[1]
 * ** Step #3: ** The work energy of the steam is being transformed into the kinetic energy of the turbine blades.[1]
 * ** Step #4: ** The kinetic energy of the turbine blades is being transformed into electrical energy.[1]

Biomass Power is an extremely versatile source of power with many significant advantages. First of all, it is easy to produce in large quantities - just 1/8 of the amount of organic matter produced is enough to provide energy for the entire world. Biomass energy has been proven to be reliable and renewable - it has been used by humans for thousands of years, starting with heat energy(from fire). Finally, biomass energy can be made even from things that would otherwise be thrown away. For example, bagasse (preharvested sugarcane) is used to create energy.[2]
 * Advantages of Biomass Power: **

Despite its advantages, biomass energy has some negative effects on the world. Not only does it take up a lot of land that could otherwise be used for food production, but it also causes deforestation when trees are cut down for the production of organic matter. However, if managed properly, the trees can be replanted and therefore lessen the effects of deforestation. Many experts agree that "the advantages of biomass outweigh the disadvantages.[2]
 * Disadvantages of Biomass Power: **

Scientists hope that in the future algae will also be used as a source of biomass power. This article from the U.S. Department of Energy sheds some more light upon using algae for biomass power. [|"Fueling the Future with Fish Tank Residue"]
 * News Article: **


 * Youtube Videos:

Biomass Converters into Power ** media type="youtube" key="sQAiH-FG9gE" height="385" width="480" . This video highlights different pieces of machinery for converting biomass into power.

media type="youtube" key="79nW2o-kYa4" height="385" width="480"
 * Ethanol **

This video explains the basics of harnessing biomass energy to create ethanol - from cutting down trees to producing biofuels, and from biofuels to consumers.


 * Footnotes:

Moms, Neil. __Biomass Power__. Minnesota, USA: Smart Apple Media, 2007 [1]

__Biomass.__ 2010. U.S. Energy Information Administration. 11 April 2010.

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