In: Chemistry
1. Consider coal (-CH-) (- indicates an aromatic carbon-carbon bond and the average aromatic bond energy is 519 kJ/mol) and cellulose or biomass (-CHOH-) as fuel.
Which is more economic (more energy per gram), coal or biomass? Which is environmentally more valuable (less CO2)?
Which is more economic (more energy per gram), coal or biomass?
The Coal have more energy then biomass.
The fossil fuels produce great energy and are used in all types of manufacturing as well as everyday life. Things such as gasoline, electricity, natural gas and many others are derived from this source. The fact that they are rapidly becoming depleted and are non-renewable, as well as putting dangerous emissions into the air, has become a concern of governments worldwide.Biomass is also composed of organic matter. However, it has not laid around for millions of years to become part of the earth's structure. It is natural products such as trees, plants, wood waste and other such things. Manure of certain animals is also included in this mix.The chemistry of biomass is not difficult to understand. It receives its energy from the sun that mixes with the plants natural chemistry to form solar energy. The conversion process involves carbon, hydrogen and oxygen within the plant structure. This is stored and can be converted into commercial energy use.With the threat of global warming and studies showing that carbon emission into the air is harmful to the human body, a great deal of interest is being concentrated on biomass as a major energy source. It is clean, only releases natural elements into the air so is not harmful to the atmosphere or humans.