Biomass Cycle

Biomass is set to replace many of the fossil fuels we currently use for energy. For example oil and gas can be replaced with alternatives derived from biomass products. Coal can be replaced with compressed biomass pellets. Torrefied wood and biomass pellets can resemble coal in many ways, however without the carbon emission increase. Biomass can even be used to produce plastics from hemp for example. The biomass cycle refers to how biomass is part of the natural carbon cycle, unlike fossil fuels. Fossil fuels are trapped forms of carbon from deep underground. Fossil fuels contain carbon from previous carbon cycles. By burning fossil fuels we are releasing this carbon back into the atmosphere, therefore adding to the current carbon cycle and increasing carbon dioxide levels which are partly responsible for climate change.

Biomass Renewable Energy and Carbon

Biomass on the other hand is part of the current natural carbon cycle. During the biomass growing cycle, carbon is consumed through photosynthesis. During biomass combustion this carbon is then released into the atmosphere. As new biomass needs to be grown to provide a future energy supply, this carbon dioxide is then consumed again. This means therefore that there is no net increase in the levels of carbon dioxide, and biomass is referred to as a carbon neutral energy source as it is part of the current carbon cycle. Using energy which is part of the biomass cycle can help to lower global carbon emissions.

It is also important to remember that biomass is a renewable source of energy. As the size of the global population continues to increase, the need to use sources of energy we can replace is a growing concern. Biomass can be grown within the life cycle of its consumption. There is a great deal of biomass created today which is still regarded as waste. Therefore with purpose grown biomass a large proportion of our energy needs can be meet.

Biomass Fuel and Wood Pellet Fuels

Wood is the main thought of biomass fuel. This woody biomass can be sourced as a waste from the timber industry and from general woodland management. The wood can also be a purpose grown biomass crop, however the choice of which wood to grow is obviously important. Oak for example burns very efficiently, however is not sustainable as its growing cycle is far too slow. A more sustainable wood fuel crop is willow, or more specifically short rotation coppice willow. Within a 3 year cycle the willow can be harvested and produce reasonable yields. However there is biomass crop similar to wood which produces even better yields within a shorter period. Hemp has only a 3 month growing cycle from seed and is ideal for fuel pellets.

Biomass Pellets Making With a Pellet Mill

The Wood Pellet Production Guide © PelHeat Ltd - Biomass Cycle