Biomass(which is created into Biodiesel) is the plant matter such as trees, gasses, farming crops or other natural material. It is a renewable source of energy and can be used as a solid, fuel, converted into liquid or gaseous forms, for the production of electric power, heat, chemicals or for vehicles.
In order to get electricity from biomass there are four main classes of Biopower systems called Direct-Fired, Co fired, Gasification and modular systems. Today most power plants are Co fired. The Biomass fuel is burned in a boiler to produce high-pressure steam. This steam is introduced into a steam turbine that turn a generator which then makes electricity flow. Modular systems use the same technologies, but on a smaller scale that is more applicable to villages, farms and small industry. They are used in areas where electricity is scarce but biomass isn’t.
Unlike other renewable energy sources, biomass can be converted directly into liquid fuels, known as biofuels, for use in transport. There are two main types of biofuels, ethanol and biodiesel. Ethanol is an alcohol, as found in beer and wine. It is made by fermenting any biomass high in carbohydrates through a process similar to brewing beer called flexible-fuel vehicles, which run on mixtures of petrol and ethanol.
Biodiesel is composed by combining alcohol with vegetable oil, animal fat, or recycled cooking greases. Researchers have found out that the process or making biofuels can also be used to make anti-freeze, plastics, glues, artificial sweeteners and gel for toothpaste.
Bioproducts include carbon monoxide and hydrogen. When biomass is heated with a small amount of oxygen present, the two gases are produced in abundance. This method is called biosynthesis gas. It can be used to make plastics and acids, which can be used in making photographic films, textiles and synthetic fabrics. Co firing involves swopping biomass for a portion of coal in an existing power plant furnace. It is the most economic option for introducing biomass power generation. Biomass gasifiers work by heating biomass in an environment where the solid biomass breaks down to form a flammable gas, which offers advantages over directly burning the biomass. The biogas can be cleaned and filtered to remove problem chemical compounds. The gas can be used in more efficient power generation systems called combine-cycles, which combine gas turbines and steam turbines to produce electricity.
Developing countries are the top markets because of rapid economic growth, growing demand for electricity, with the rising environmental problems, and the need for rural and reliable electricity.