Question

What is the process to obtain biomass production

Answer 1

Biomass is organic matter and organic matter is produced by two ways,

a. Primary production: This is the way plants generate biomass. Plants and microorganisms generate biomass by photosynthesis. Here the plants convert the solar energy into sugars.

b. Secondary production: In this method, biomass is generated by the absorption of organic matter by organisms. This is the way animals generate biomass. Another example of this method is the decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms.

Biomass production is important as a source of renewable energy. We can utilize the biomass and convert it into useful energy and since biomass can be replenished, it is a form of renewable energy.

There are many ways in which this conversion can occur. Some of them are

a. Combustion of biomass to generate heat and the heat is then used to heat steam which is used to rotate a turbine and produce electricity.

b. Gasification processes: Here the biomass is converted into syngas which is a combustable gas mixture consisting of (CO,H₂ and CH₄).

c. Anaerobic digestion: This is a biological process where microorganisms break down the biomass to generate methane. Methane is a combustable gas.

d. Fermentation: This is also a biological process where the sugars in the biomass are converted into alcohols (ethanol). Ethanol can be used as a fuel.