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Directory:Biomass

From PESWiki

Directory of Biomass technologies and resources.

In energy production and industry, biomass refers to living and recently living biological material which can be used as fuel or for industrial production. Most commonly biomass refers to plant matter grown for use as biofuel, but also includes plant or animal matter used for production of fibres, chemicals or heat. It excludes organic material which has been transformed by geological processes into substances such as coal or petroleum. It is usually measured by dry weight.

Table of contents
1 Overview
2 Talks
3 Products
4 Companies
5 Promotion
6 Research & Development
7 In the News
8 Cautions
9 Related Directories

1 See also

[edit]

Overview

Biomass heating can be very clean. A simple corn stove, for example, has very clean exhaust. Gasifiers are even cleaner. Biomass can be used for producing electricity now. Truly clean coal gasification MIGHT also be a possibility.

  • Zeitgeist > Biomass: Year-in-Review (http://www.RenewableEnergyAccess.com/rea/news/story?id=46982&src=rss) - Large VC investments, new leadership, increased acceptance from the environmental community, national security threats and unstable energy markets sparked the country's enthusiasm for biomass. The industry's capacity to ramp up production and the ability of this renewable resource to provide a considerable quantity of power, not just liquid fuel, has made biomass a significant player in the U.S. energy future. (Renewable Energy Access; Jan. 2, 2006)


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Talks

  • Why can't we grow new energy? (http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/193) - Juan Enriquez (http://www.ted.com/index.php/speakers/view/id/80) of Biotechonomy (http://www.biotechonomy.com/) asks, "Can we get to the point where we grow our own energy as efficiently as we grow wheat?" (TED; Sep. 2007)
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Products

  • Stirling Denmark (http://www.stirling.dk/) - Provider of CO2 neutral Combined Heat and Power plant based on a biomass fired Stirling Engine. The advantage for combustion of biomass is that the combustion is not inside the cylinders like in an internal combustion engine. The hot heat exchangers have been designed directly for biomass combustion based on experiences from biomass steam boilers.
  • The Dell-Point Europa (http://www.pelletstove.com/) - Greenfire technology pellet stove is smoke free and reliable, saving up to 60% on home heating costs. It burns bioenergy materials like wood pellets, shelled corn and hulled wheat with 86% efficiency, and received the lowest emissions rating by the EPA.
  • Anvil and Company (http://www.anvilandco.com/) - Corn specifically processed for heating purposes delivered to your door.
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Companies

  • Biomass-based "Coal" Makes Coal Plants Renewable and Clean - NewEarth Renewable Energy, Inc. produces a "coal" equivalent from biomass sources. The pellets do not smoke, and produce virtually no pollution, yet have the same BTU content as coal, but at a lower price, ultimately. (PESWiki; Feb. 4, 2008)
  • Alternative Fuels / Oil / Plastic >
    Bacteria Make Oil from Biomass - A Georgia company has announced that they have devised a simple, natural way to convert anything that grows out of the Earth into oil. The inventor's formula is simple. Basically, biomass (such as grass clippings or wood chips) plus the right bacteria equals hydrocarbons, which make not just fuel but plastics and other petroleum products. (PESWiki; May 10, 2008)
  • Ensyn (http://www.ensyn.com/) - Rapid Thermal Processing transforms wood and other biomass into a low sulfur liquid bio-fuel for industrial heating, or can be blended with diesel for transportation and power applications. The RTP™ process produces high yields, typically 75% by weight, in less than a few seconds with a simple, compact design and low capital cost.
  • Mascoma (http://www.mascoma.com/) - Cellulosic biomass has a cost per BTU equivalent to oil of about $14/barrel. Recent advancements in enzymes, organisms and production technologies allow cost-effective ethanol production from inexpensive cellulosic biomass (grass, wood, agricultural and forestry wastes).
  • Biomass gasification technology obtains record hydrogen yield (http://biopact.com/2007/01/german-consortium-tests-new-biomass.html) - ZSW (http://www.zsw-bw.de/topics/fuel/REGbiomassconversion_en.html) has developed a CO2 absorption-enhanced water vapour gasification technology for the production of an energy rich gas from biomass and also for the production of biohydrogen, biomethane and synthetic liquid biofuels. Tests showed yields of up to 70% hydrogen, an unprecedented level. (Biopact; January 12, 2007)
  • Choren Industries (http://www.choren.com/en/biomass_to_energy/) - The Carbo-V® Process lies at the heart of CHOREN technology. Using this multi-stage gasification process, it is possible to convert solid biomass and other feed materials containing carbon into combustion or synthesis gas.
  • Green diesel: New process makes liquid transportation fuel from plants (http://www.engr.wisc.edu/news/headlines/2005/Jun02.html) - Article - Researchers have discovered a new way to make a diesel-like liquid fuel from carbohydrates commonly found in plants. The new process has the potential to creates twice the energy as is created in using corn to make ethanol. (University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Engineering)
  • Xethanol (http://www.xethanol.com/) uses locally available biomass rather than corn as the primary raw material for ethanol production. Biomass is organic waste material and includes everything from wood chips and yard waste, to corn stover and municipal solid waste.
  • Eprida (http://www.eprida.com/invest/index.html) process can operate at small scale, converting waste biomass into fuel and fertilizer. The diesel produced will ultimately be more valuable than ethanol or methanol, and the Eprida process can convert woody plant materials that cannot be cost effectively fermented.
  • Syngas Energy Corp. (http://www.syngasinternational.com/technology.html) has acquired the rights to utilize the PyStR Technology, to directly produce high purity hydrogen from biomass (wood chips and/or any carbonaceous fuel).
  • Kwikpower (http://www.kwikpower.com/) - Engas engineered alternative fuel can be made from biomass production from cellulosic waste or biomass crops. ENGAS requires no engine modifications, or specialised infrastructure or fuel dispensing reconstruction costs.
  • Virent Energy Systems (http://www.virent.com/) will enable economical use of biomass to produce carbon-neutral hydrogen, fuel gas, liquid fuels or value-added chemicals. Aqueous Phase Reforming can deliver twice the efficiency of the ethanol process, which requires significant heat from fossil fuels for the dewatering step.
  • Bical (http://www.bical.net/) is the leader in the successful production and continued development of Miscanthus, the multipurpose crop for energy and industry. Miscanthus is a perennial grass, which satisfies the criteria for the ideal energy crop it is both profitable and environmentally friendly.
  • AgriPower (http://www.agripowerinc.com/) - Energy conversion technology fueled with biomass to produce electricity and heat energy. The system operates with an "open" Brayton cycle using a fluid bed combustor and several heat exchangers to heat compressed air that in turn drives a turbine generator set. Readily-Available Fuels: Wood, Coconut Husks, Brewery Waste, Palm Oil, Coffee Shells, Bagasse.
  • Agrivida (http://www.agrivida.com/) - Developing improved corn varieties that produces its own enzymes, the corn grain can be broken down into ethanol more efficiently and with less expense. This corn can increase yields of ethanol per acre of farmland by up to 50% and cut production costs for ethanol producers by over 20%. Agrivida's corn seed and process technologies allow the entire corn plant to be converted into ethanol, including the unused stover (the stalk and leaves).
  • TRI (http://www.tri-inc.net/) - Biomass-to-energy gasification technology company focused on the pulp and paper industry to cost effectively produce biofuels that do not compete with the human food chain. The pulp and paper industry is the world’s largest existing collection system for biomass.
  • Circle Biodiesel & Ethanol Corporation (http://www.circlebio.com/) - Manufacturer of biodiesel processors as well as ethanol stills for the biofuels industry. The company also has an algae division which manufactures algae photo bioreactors.
  • Celunol (http://www.celunol.com/) - Biotechnology for producing ethanol (ethyl alcohol) from low-cost and abundant cellulosic biomass materials. Celunol’s technology is designed to achieve high ethanol yields from the carbohydrates that make up the majority of such materials, and it expects its feedstock and energy costs to be much lower than those of either conventional processes that use sugar and starch crops as feedstocks.
  • Lignol Biofuel (http://www.lignol.ca/) - Biorefinery technology converts most biomass residues, such as sawmill residues and agricultural residues including straw and bagasse, into a series of valuable organic chemicals and liquid fuels. The estimated cost of ethanol production is U.S. $1.00 per gallon, compared to a corn/ethanol industry standard cost of US $1.15 per gallon.
  • Hydrogen from Biomass (http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=16841) - Virent Energy Systems (http://www.virent.com/) of Wisconsin has developed a novel aqueous phase reforming process for squeezing hydrogen out of biomass, which could mean a cheaper and easier way to make hydrogen for fuel cells. (MIT Technology Review; May 12, 2006)
  • Segway creator unveils his next act (http://money.cnn.com/2006/02/16/technology/business2_futureboy0216/index.htm) - Inventor Dean Kamen wants to put entrepreneurs to work bringing water and electricity to the world's poor. 1 kW generator uses anything that burns, including cow dung. Water purifier makes 1,000 liters of water per day. (CNN; Feb. 16, 2006) (See Slashdot (http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/02/17/1825221) discussion)
  • Paper Giant Integrates Biomass into Operations (http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=35103) - Paper manufacturer Kruger plant will supply 100 MW of electricity generated from biomass. Myriad of environmental benefits. (Renewable Energy Access; Aug. 5, 2005)

WoodMaster PLUS Fuel Furnace - Alternative fuel furnace efficiently burns corn, wood and paper pellets, barley, beet pulp, sunflowers, dried cherry pits, soy beans and a variety of other alternative fuels. Installs outdoors, connects to home furnace system. Saves up to 75%. (BusinessWire; Oct. 17, 2005)

  • Xethanol Converts Xylose to Ethanol and Sweetener (http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=35739) - Patented process converts xylose into fuel ethanol and commodity sweetener xylitol from biomass. (Renewable Energy Access; Aug. 24, 2005) [Xethanol is a biotechnology-driven ethanol production company]
  • Alcane Biogas plans $12.6 mil (U.S.) plant for Nothern Ireland (http://alt-e.blogspot.com/2004/11/biogas-126-million-plant-planne-for.html) - The plant will convert animal manure and food production waste into renewable energy and fertilizer. By-products include methane gas, hot water, pasteurized liquid fertilizer, and fibrous soil conditioner. (Alt. Eng. News; Nov. 19, 2004)
  • Ontario Plant Converts Forest Biomass to Bio-oil (http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=35668) - Transportable bio-refinery plant will convert unused forest waste into a bio-oil that can be used as fuel to provide heat and electricity, and to make byproducts such as plastics and glues. (Renewable Energy Access; Aug. 23, 2005)
  • Barlow Projects, Inc. (http://www.barlowprojects.com/index.asp) - Waste-to-Energy systems converting trash or biomass into steam and/or electricity through the WTE process.

Biomax 15 - several residential prototypes being field tested. 30 lb. of wood can power a typical home for a day. (San Mateo County Times; April 8, 2004) See Google > Biomax 15 (http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=biomax+15)

  • BioMaxx Systems Inc (http://www.biomaxxsystems.com/) - Converting cellulosic biomass that is currently being abandoned or land filled into ethanol and other valuable co-products. Holds the worldwide license to a new fermentation process.
  • Nathaniel Energy's Thermal Combustor (http://nathanielenergy.com/) - Vista International Technologies, Inc. turns processed fuel converted from feedstock such as waste, biomass, tires and virtually any solid carbon based material into useful energy without harming the environment. Funded company is fulfilling orders for installations internationally.
  • Biomass Plant to Convert Rice Straw to Ethanol (http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=35102) - Colusa Biomass Energy, a biomass-to-ethanol company, has engaged technical assistance consultants for a production plant in the Sacramento Valley that will convert rice straw to chemical products and ethanol. (Renewable Energy Access; Aug. 5, 2005)

P-Fuel -- Physicist patents garbage-to-gas substitute - Process extracts fuel from oat hulls, corn cobs, scrap paper, and any other kind of biomass you'd care to name, at estimated price of $1.80/gallon. (Palm Beach Post; May 13, 2004)

Barbados Sugar Cane Bound for Biomass - Tekron and Vydexa Industrials objective is to develop an industrial base for production of fuel alcohol and other higher value products from sugar cane biomass. (Solar Access; Aug. 26, 2004)

  • TMG (http://freeenergynews.com/Directory/Newsletters/IRI/031024.html) - deals with alternate-fuel topics such as coal-based synthetic fuels (including hydrogen), soy-based biodiesel and biomass-to-ethanol technology and assists its clients in making conventional energy vs. alternate energy decisions.
  • Charring peanut shells for hydrogen (http://www.fuelcellsworks.com/Supppage1559.html) - Patented technology converts biomass to hydrogen and charcoal for nitrogen-enriched fertilizer. (Fuel Cell Works; Nov. 21, 2004)
  • Katrina Wood Waste Creates Biomass Opportunity (http://pesn.com/2005/09/15/9600167_hurricane_biomass/) - Green Energy Resources is offering to pay the government to release the wood normally sent to a landfill or burned. GER says the harvested destruction from weather events in general could power as much as 10% of U.S. energy needs. (PESN; Sept. 15, 2005)
  • Corn Stoves: an Interim Technology on a Crumbling Foundation? (http://pesn.com/2006/01/06/9600219_Corn_Stoves/) - Though cleaner burning that wood, and currently using a lower-cost fuel, the corn stove should not be regarded as a permanent solution to dependence on foreign oil. Do short term savings on the heating bill entail increasing famine risk in the long term? (PESN; Jan. 6, 2006)
  • IAS Solar Turbine also has Biomass Applications (http://pesn.com/2005/10/05/9600181_IAUS_site_secured/) - International Automated Systems to install first phase of solar power plant near Barstow, California. Claims their solar-heat-turbine system will be competitive with fossil-based power. Biomass applications of turbine also progressing. (PESN; Oct. 5, 2005)
  • 2005 Year in Review, U.S. Biomass Energy Policy (http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/infocus/story?id=41189) - 2005 was marked by considerable growth in the field of biomass and biofuels in the U.S., thanks in part to the Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI), numerous agriculture organizations and several Members of Congress. (Renewable Energy Access; Jan. 4, 2006)
  • Organic Material Largest U.S. Source of Renewable Energy (http://usinfo.state.gov/gi/Archive/2005/Apr/21-101461.html) - In the United States, biomass has surpassed hydroelectric power as the largest domestic source of renewable energy; supplies more than 3 percent of total U.S. energy consumption. (USInfo State Gov; April 24, 2005)
    • Growth in Biomass Could Put U.S. on Road to Energy Independence (http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/511272/) - One billion dry tons of corncobs, cornstalks, switchgrass and other types of biomass – any organic matter that is available on a renewable or recurring basis – would displace 30 percent of the nation’s petroleum consumption for transportation. (Newswise, Tennessee - April 21, 2005)
    • In Renewable Energy Portfolios, Biomass is #1, US Govt Confirms - Green Energy Resources (nasdaq otc.GRGR.pk) citing the US Energy Information Agency, (EIA) confirms biomass is the number one renewable energy in the world. Wood biomass comprises 48% of all current renewable... (EnvironmentalNewsNetwork; March 28, 2005)
  • Biomass use isn't new, but it is the future (http://icbirmingham.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0100localnews/tm_objectid=14442862&method=full&siteid=50002&headline=biomass-use-isn-t-new--but-it-is-the-future-name_page.html) - Proponents say it is sustainable and CO2 reducing. (ic Birmingham.co.uk; July 21, 2004) [Not mentioned in the story: techniques exist that convert biomass to energy with no CO2 emissions at all.]
  • Scientists set sights on biomass to reduce fossil fuel dependence (http://www.physorg.com/news10331.html) - Using plants rather than oil or coal to produce fuels and chemicals could play an essential role in reducing the world's dependence on fossil fuels, according to a group of scientists from the UK and the USA writing today in the journal Science. (PhysOrg; Jan. 27, 2006)
[edit]

Promotion

  • American Energy Security (http://www.AmericanEnergySecurity.org/)- Website developed to inform individuals, businesses, and policy makers about America's liquid fuels crisis and the tremendous challenges and opportunities ahead.


[edit]

Research & Development

  • PNNL & WSU Open Biomass Research Lab (http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=52446) - At the Bioproducts, Sciences, and Engineering Laboratory (BSEL), WSU and PNNL plan to work together to develop new solutions to commercialize new technology and provide students with a hands-on educational experience. The new US $24.8 million facility is located on the WSU Tri-Cities campus in Richland, WA. (Renewable Energy World; May 12, 2008)
  • Directory:Biodiesel from Algae Oil - Some species of algae are ideally suited to biodiesel production due to their high oil content (some well over 50% oil), and extremely fast growth rates. Algae farms would let us supply enough biodiesel to completely replace petroleum as a transportation fuel in the US.
  • Burning Shelled Corn As Fuel (http://burncorn.cas.psu.edu/) - can be a feasible way of dealing with the high prices of more conventional fuels such as fuel oil, propane, natural gas, coal, and firewood. Utilizing corn as a fuel does not compete with the food supply since agriculture can produce sufficient amounts for food, fuel, pharmaceuticals, and chemical feedstocks. (Penn State University) See also Corn Burning Stoves (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2005/10/corn_burning_st.php) at TreeHugger
  • Biofuel from Saltwater Plants (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/01/biofuel_for_air_1.php) - A NASA scientist is confident that within five years commercial aircraft could be powered by biofuel derived from saltwater plants, or halophytes, grown in desert areas and irrigated using sea water. Suitable areas for cultivating halophytes include the Sahara desert, Western Australia, south-west USA, and parts of the Middle East. (TreeHugger; January 17, 2007)
  • Gynerium Sagittatum: a new plantation crop? (http://biopact.com/2007/02/closer-look-at-gynerium-sagittatum-new.html) - Samoa Fiber (http://www.sfiber.com/) will be using tropical 'wild cane' for the production of bio-oil. The yield per hectare is four times that of the fastest growing wood and three times more than switchgrass. Biomass yields have become the single most important cost factor in biofuel production. (Biopact; Feb. 5, 2007)
  • Electricity from Seaweed (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/02/electricity_fro.php) - Tokyo Gas teamed up with NEDO (http://www.nedo.go.jp/english/) to create the first power plant in the world that runs off of seaweed, which creates methane gas when broken down by microoganisms. The gas fuels an engine that produces electricity, generating 10 kilowatts of electricity per hour. Research results will be used to consider larger-scale commercial use. (TreeHugger; Feb. 26, 2007)
  • Harvesting algae blooms from the open ocean (http://biopact.com/2007/03/harvesting-algae-blooms-from-ocean.html) - AlgoDyne Ethanol Energy (http://www.algodynecorp.com/) has developed a new process to harvest biomass from marine algal blooms, that occur in almost all oceans of the world, often caused by man-made nutrient pollution. It could yield huge amounts of biomass usable for ethanol and biodiesel production at virtually no cost. (Biopact; Mar. 1, 2007)
  • New Bio-Oil Joint Venture (http://www.greencarcongress.com/2007/11/khosla-and-bioe.html) - Khosla Ventures and BIOeCON (http://www.bio-e-con.com/) have formed a joint venture, KiOR, to develop and commercialize BIOeCON’s Biomass Catalytic Cracking (BCC) process. BCC technology is a simple non-energy intensive method that converts lignocellulosic biomass into a bio-oil product that can be further upgraded to transportation fuels and chemicals. (Green Car Congress; Nov. 1, 2007)
  • Turbo-cooker Wins Prize for Clean Burning (http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/12/turbo-cooker.php) - El Salvador inventor Ren Nunez has developed the Turbo-cooker that reduces the amount of fuel needed by over 95% and could make life better for 3 billion people who rely on primitive wood- or biomass-burning stoves for cooking and heating. He now has a prize and a patent. (TreeHugger; Dec. 2, 2007)
  • Smaller, Cheaper Biofuel Reactors (http://www.technologyreview.com/Energy/19199/) - Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a fast way to convert sawdust and waste biomass directly into a mixture of gases that can be burned to generate electricity or made into liquid fuels such as diesel. If the process could be scaled, it could serve as a reactor located close to biomass sources. (MIT Technology Review; Aug. 9, 2007)
  • Electricity from Sugar Water (http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?ch=specialsections&sc=biofuels&id=17739&a=) - Researchers at the University of Minnesota have developed a catalytic method for producing hydrogen from cheap fuels such soy oil and even a mixture of glucose and water. Could also make synthetic gas and plastics. (MIT Technology Review; Nov. 7, 2006)
  • Research Begins on Converting Manure to Heat (http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/story?id=35832) - Texas A&M is researching what process and what mix of the manure will create the most useable heat and, as a result, energy; with construction materials by-products. (Renewable Energy Access; Aug. 26, 2005)
  • Rice as a source of electricity (http://www.physorg.com/news83341901.html) - Rice yields an abundance of biowaste: Husks make up around one quarter of the weight. Only a small fraction of this is utilized, for instance, to fire distillery furnaces. Researchers at Hanoi University of Technology now also want to use rice husks to generate electricity. (PhysOrg; Nov. 21, 2006)

Green Energy's Technology Selected for Study and Development - Green Energy Corp.'s patented gasification technology converts biomass to a synthetic gas that can be burned to generate electricity, reformed to produce ethanol or used to feed solid oxide fuel cell. (BusinessWire; June 14, 2005)

  • Grass Hailed as Potential Source of Clean Energy (http://www.planetark.com/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/32386/story.htm) - If about 8% of the land area of Illinois was planted with the grass called Miscanthus, and only half of those yields were harvested, there would be enough matter to generate the total electricity used by of the state if Illinois, in a carbon-neutral cycle. (Reuters; Sept. 7, 2005)
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In the News

  • World Sustainable Energy: biomass pellets (http://biopact.com/2007/03/note-from-world-sustainable-energy-days.html) - Biomass fuel pellets are a clean, CO2-neutral and convenient fuel made from wood chips, forestry residues or woody energy crops. Biomass has become directly competitive with fossil fuels in Europe, where highly efficient combined heat-and-power (CHP) biomass plants have replaced an increasing amount of coal and oil. (Biopact; Mar. 1, 2007)
  • First US Cellulosic Ethanol Plant (http://thefraserdomain.typepad.com/energy/2007/02/celunol_cellose.html) - Celunol (http://www.celunol.com/) achieves high ethanol yields from cellulosic biomass at costs competitive with conventional sugar and starch feedstocks. Its 50,000 gallon pilot facility commenced operation in November 2006 and a 1.4 million gallon facility is targeted for completion in mid 2007. (The Energy Blog; Feb. 8, 2007)


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Cautions

  • Study: Ethanol Production Consumes Six Units Of Energy To Produce Just One (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/03/050329132436.htm) - UC Berkeley geoengineering professor Tad W. Patzek, author of 50-page study, says one must take into account the energy required to grow the crop and convert it into ethanol. Corn is not free energy. (Science Daily; April 1, 2005)


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Related Directories

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See also

- Other Directory listings • Latest • A-I • J-R • S-Z • Tree • News
- PESWiki home page

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