Biomass Energy

Presentedby
Dr.RamzyKahhat

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Definition
Biomassisdefinedasalllivingplantmatteras
wellasorganicwastesderivedfromplants,
humans,marinelife,andanimals.
Trees,grasses,animaldung,aswellassewage,
garbage,woodconstructionresidues,andother
componentsofmunicipalsolidwasteareall
examplesofbiomass.
Testeretal.2005
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

What is Bioenergy?

Energyderivedfrommaterials
whichwerelivingmatter
relativelyrecently.
Larkinetal.2005
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

History
Inthepastwasprimarysourceoffuel.
Europe:IndustrialRevolution Forest
severelydepleted coalgraduallyintroduced
U.S.:19th century,biomassprimarysourceof
fuel by1885outpacedbycoal by1915
alsobyoilandgas
Developingcountries:remainanimportant
energysourceforheatingandcooking
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Renewableenergy?
Qualifies as a renewable resource because
commercially meaningful quantities are regenerated
in time scales that are comparable to or less than
typical time scales of human use of the resource.
Biomass is a natural engine for the conversion of
solar energy to highenergy content products that
can be stored, transported and used conveniently.
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Photosynthesis
Plantsgrowbytheprocessofphotosynthesis
inwhichsunlighttransformstwonaturally
abundantrawmaterials:waterandcarbon
dioxide tocarbohydratesandcomplexorganic
compoundsofgreatnaturalandcommercial
value.
6CO2 +6H2O>C6H12O6 +6O2
(globalchemicalpathwaytoformglucosebyphotosynthesis)
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Biomass:Utilizationoptions
Canbeconvertedtoawiderangeofusefulformsof
energy:
Synthesis gas
Electricity
(syngas)

Liquid Fuels
Motive Power

Steam

Process Heat

Biomass:universalfeedstockforproducingenergy
andaplethoraofenergyintensivefuelsand
chemicals.
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Biomass:Utilizationoptions
Directcombustion

Processheat
Steam
Electricity
Spaceandwaterheating
Cooking

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Airblowngasification

Processheat
Steam
Spaceandwaterheating
Electricity
Cooking
Stationaryengines
Gasification: Converts carbonbased materials directly into
syngas. No combustion (burning).

Main fuels for cooking:

1. Gas (55.55%)
2. Wood (30.16%)
3. Dung and manure
(4.9%)
4. Kerosene (2.96%)
5. Coal (2.53%)
6. Electriity (1.53%)
Source: INEI 2007

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Biomass:Utilizationoptions

Hydrolysisandfermentationto
ethanol
Mobileengines
Stationaryengines
Gasturbines
Spaceandwaterheating
Cooking
Processheat
Steam

Pyrolysis

Regionalfuelgaspipelines

Methanolsynthesis
Mobileengines
Stationaryengines
Gasturbines
Spaceandwaterheating
Cooking
Processheat
Steam

Hydrolysis: Cleavage of
Pyrolysis: Thermal treatment in absence of oxygen
chemical bonds by addition
of water. Sustainable Energy
Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Biomass:Utilizationoptions
Anaerobicdigestion
RemoveCO2
Naturalgaspipeline

Sustainable Energy

Anaerobicdigestion

Electricity
Spaceandwaterheating
Processheat
Steam
Stationaryengines
Mobileengines

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Source: IPCC 2011

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Videos
BiomassGasification
http://gasification.org/page_1.asp?a=80&b=85
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPRa31dS0vA
&feature=related

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

LEADING OPTIONS
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Leadingoptionsforbiomass
energy

FoodCrop(e.g.cornorsugarcane)toethanol
(C2H5OH)
Problems:verylownetenergycompetitionwith
foodcrops,waterpollution,inherentlylowyield
perunitarea
Advantages:Strongpoliticallobbiescanbeused
withgasoline
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Leadingoptionsforbiomass
energy
FoodCrop(e.g.cornorsugarcane)tobutanol
(C4H9OH)
Problems:Lownetenergyyield,competition
withfoodcrops,waterpollution,inherentlylow
yieldperunitarea
Advantages:Betternetenergyyieldthan
ethanol
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Leadingoptionsforbiomass
energy
Cellulosic (e.g.switchgrass orMiscanthus)to
ethanolorbutanol
Problems:Unprovenatlargescale;lownet
energyyield
Advantages:Higheryieldperunitarea,less
severecompetitionwithfoodcrops,andless
waterpollutionthanwithfoodcrops
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Leadingoptionsforbiomass
energy

Complexbiomass(e.g.animalwaste)tomethane(CH4)
Problems:Conversionefficiencyisnotyethighenough;
unitcostishigherthanfromnaturalgasdepositstoday
Advantages:Maturetechnology;canuseresiduesand
wastes,turningapollutionproblemintoanenergy
resource,CH4,infrastructureisinplace
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Leadingoptionsforbiomass
energy

Complexbiomass(e.g.animalwaste)to
hydrogen(H2)
Problems:Technologyisimmature,conversion
efficiencytodayisverylow
Advantages:Canuseresiduesandwastes,
turningapollutionproblemintoanenergy
resource;H2 canbeusedinfuelcells
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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Leadingoptionsforbiomass
energy

Complexbiomass(e.g.animalwaste)toelectricity(e)
viamicrobialfuelcell(MFC)
Problems:Technologyisnascent,conversionefficiency
isnotestablished
Advantages:Electricityinfrastructureisinplace;an
MFCisacombustionless,pollutionfreefuelcell
technologythatusesrenewableorganicfueldirectly
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Leadingoptionsforbiomass
energy
Plants (e.g.Jatropa,soybeans,orsunflowers)to
biodiesel(mainlyC16andC18aliphates)
Problems:Technologyisimmature,yieldper
unitisinherentlylow;competeswithfoodcrops
Advantages:Biodieselisahighdensityfuelthat
isanidealsubstituteforpetroleum
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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Leadingoptionsforbiomass
energy

Phototrophicmicroorganisms(algaeor
cynobacteria)tobiodiesel
Problems:Technologyisatanearlystage,may
requiresignificantcapitalinvestment
Advantages:Biodieselisahighdensityfuelthat
substitutesideallyforpetroleum;possibleto
haveaveryhighyieldperunitarea,allowingTW
output:doesnotcompetewithfoodcrops
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

THERMAL CONVERSION
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Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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Biomasstoelectricity
Include:
Cofiring withcoaltoreducesulfuremissionsand
smoothatransitiontoreducedfossildependency
Repowering:backfitting anexistinggenerating
stationtoswitchtobiomassfuel,oradda
biomassfiredgeneratortoanexistingfossilfueled
unit
DirectcombustioninaRankine cycletoraise
steamtooperateaturbinegenerator
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Biomasstoelectricity
Include:
Variousconfigurationsofcombinedcyclesin
whichbiomassisfirstgasifiedandthegasthen
combustedtogeneratesteamor,inagasturbine
Thermalorhydrothermalconversionofthe
biomasstootherfuelsthat,aftersubstantial
cleaning,arecombustedtogeneratesteamor
motivepower,orfedtoafuelcellfordirect
conversiontoelectricity
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

13

Biomasstofuels
Thermalandhydrothermalprocessescanbe
usedtoconvertbiomassintoliquidand
gaseousfuels.
Pyrolysis,thermaltreatmentinabsenceof
oxygentogasifythebiomasstocarbon
monoxideandhydrogen(syngas)
Thismixturecouldbechemicallyconvertedto
liquidandgaseousfuelsusingsuitablecatalyst.
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Biomasstofuels
Foodprocessingwasteswithhighlevelsoffats
andoilscanbeeasilyhydrolyzedtoproduce
lowBtugasandahighqualitybiodieselgrade
liquidfuel.

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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BIOCONVERSION
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

BioconversionorBiochemical
processing
Useofthechemistryoflivingthingsto
transformonesubstancetoanother.
Fermentation transformofcarbohydrates
(sugars)toethylalcohol(ethanolorgrain
alcohol).
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

15

Biogas
Decay ofvarious forms ofwet biomass inthe
absence ofair(anaerobic digestion).
Bacteria that
promote methane
formation
CH4, CO2,
Short chain fatty
mineral and
acids, alcohols,
nitrogen-rich
H2, etc
effluent slurry

Bacteria that promote fermentation

and acetic acid formation
Complex organic
matter

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Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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Source:
PETRAMAS

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Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Biogas
Canbegenerated from animalandhuman
wastes,sewage sludge,andcrop residues.
Digesters (biogas producers)operate at35
55C

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Fermentation ethanol from corn

andcellulosic biomass CO
Cellulosic
biomass

Hydrolisis
Mineral acid
Enzymatic

Carbohydrates
Fermentation
Bacteria
Yeast
Fungi

Ethanol
separation
Distillation

Waste treatment

Ethanol
Broth

Efluent
(Lignin
rich)

Ethanol
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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Fermentation ethanol from corn

andcellulosic biomass
Biomasstoethylalcohol,highqualityliquidfuelfor
automotivetransportandstationarygasturbinesforelectric
powergeneration.
Controversy
Poorenergybalance
Highproductioncost
Displacementoflandandcropsbadlyneededforfood

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

PLANTSORMICROBES?
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Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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PlantsorMicrobes?(Rittmann 2011)
Traditional
Biomass/Biofuel
Production:Plants

Slowgrowing(e.g.onecropperyear)
Requirearableland
Growthseasonal
Lowarealproduction
Heterogeneous(leaves,seeds,etc)}
Requirewaterandfertilizer
Largelylignocellulosic

Sustainable Energy

Microorganisms:
photosyntheticalgae
andbacteria

Fastgrowing(e.g.doublingtime0.51day)
Donotrequirearableland
Growthyearround
Higharealproduction
Monogeneous (allcellsarethesame)
Watereffcient;reusesminerals
Notlignocellulosic

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Slides prepared by Dr. Rittmann, Used with permission.

PlantsorMicrobes?(Rittmann 2011)

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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Slides prepared by Dr. Rittmann, Used with permission.

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Slides prepared by Dr. Rittmann,used with his authorization.

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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Slides prepared by Dr. Rittmann, Used with permission.

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Slides prepared by Dr. Rittmann, Used with permission.

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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Slides prepared by Dr. Rittmann, Used with permission.

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Slides prepared by Dr. Rittmann, Used with permission.

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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DisruptiveTechnology?
Sunlight

Oxygen

BioenergyPlant

CO2

H2O
Sustainable Energy

Gasoline,
diesel, oil,
jet fuel

Nutrients

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

DisruptiveTechnology?
Innovationsinbiotechnologytobreedplants
thatdirectlyconvertsunlighttogasolineand
otherpremiumproducts(Testerelal2012)
Challenges:expensive,limitationsof
photosyntheticconversion,landuse
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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BIOMASS:ADVANTAGES AND
DISADVANTAGES
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Biomass:Advantages
Renewabilityanddomesticavailability
Widelydispersed
Widerangeoffuelsandchemicals
Derivedproductscansubstituteenergyintensiveproducts
Potentialtocombatatmosphericbuildupofthegreenhouse
gasCO2
Lowersulfurcontent(0.050.20wt%)thancoal(15%)

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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TrendsinatmosphericCO2and
averageairtemperature

Source: Rittmann 2008

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Biomass:Disadvantages
Lowenergydensitycomparedtothatcoalorliquid
petroleum.
Extensivecultivationofbiomassmaystresswater
resources,depletesoilnutrients,anddisplaceopen
spacebywithdrawinglandfromnaturaluse.
Largescaleproductionofbiomassforenergy
purposescouldcompetewithuseofland,water,
energyandfertilizerforproductionoffoodorwood.
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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BIOMASS:ENVIRONMENTAL AND
SOCIALISSUES
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

EnvironmentalIssues
Environmental control is Carefullymanaged
challenging,special
growthandharvesting
withsmallinstallations.
ofbiomassforenergy
andotherapplications
Potentialforecological
canbeusedtorestore
degradation
andsustainforestand
Lossofbiodiversity(e.g.
othersensitive
monoculture)
ecosystems.
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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EnvironmentalIssues
Renewablesourceofcarbonandsinkfor
atmosphericCO2
Canbeconvertedtopremiumqualityliquid
andgaseousfuelsandchemicals
Directedburnedtoproduceelectricity

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

Water Footprint?
Primary Energy Carrier

(GerbensLeenes etal.2008)

Water Footprint (m3/GJ)

Maize

9.1 (Netherlands)to 199.6(Zimbabwe)

Poplar

22.2(Netherlands)to 72(Zimbabwe)

Sugarcane

25.1(Brazil)to 31.4(Zimbabwe)

Winteroilseedrape

67.3(Netherlands)to 205.2(Brazil)

Biomass (average 15crops)

71.5

Hydropower

22.3

Crude Oil

1.06

Solarthermal energy

0.27

Coal

0.16

Naturalgas

0.11

Nuclearenergy

0.09

Wind energy

0.00

Sustainable Energy

Crop
Climatic
conditions
Agricultural
systems

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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ashifttowardbiomassenergywill
thereforehavealargeimpactonthe
useoffreshwaterresourcesandwill
competestronglywithotherwater
uses(H.DeWeber)
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

SocialIssues

Tortilla Protest in Mexico, 2007. Photograph by Lizdinovella. The banner reads Without
Corn, there is No Country.
Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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Reference
Testeretal.2005
SustainableEnergy

Rittmann2008
Opportunitiesfor
RenewableBioenergy

Boyle2006Renewable
Energy

Sustainable Energy

Ramzy Kahhat, Ph.D.

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