Chapter 1: Problem 16

In literature, biomass is often referred to as first-, second-, and third- generation biomass. What is meant by these terms? Can you identify some biomass types for each of these generations?

Short Answer

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Answer: First-generation biomass refers to biofuels made from energy crops like corn, sugarcane, and oilseed plants. Second-generation biomass involves non-food crops, agricultural residues, and waste materials, such as corn stover, wood chips, and municipal solid waste. Third-generation biomass focuses on biofuels produced from algae and photosynthetic microorganisms, such as Chlorella and cyanobacteria.

Step by step solution

Defining First-Generation Biomass

First-generation biomass refers to biofuels made from crops that are specifically grown for energy production, such as corn, sugarcane, and oilseed plants. These crops are used for producing biofuels, like ethanol and biodiesel, through the fermentation of sugars and starches or oil extraction.

Identifying First-Generation Biomass Types

Some examples of first-generation biomass types are: 1. Corn 2. Sugarcane 3. Oilseed plants (e.g. soybean, rapeseed) 4. Wheat

Defining Second-Generation Biomass

Second-generation biomass refers to biofuels made from non-food crops, agricultural residues, and other waste materials. These sources have less impact on food production and are considered more environmentally friendly. Technologies used to process second-generation biomass include pyrolysis, gasification, and enzymatic hydrolysis.

Identifying Second-Generation Biomass Types

Some examples of second-generation biomass types are: 1. Agricultural residues (e.g. corn stover, rice husks) 2. Forestry residues (e.g. wood chips, bark) 3. Energy crops (e.g. switchgrass, miscanthus) 4. Municipal solid waste

Defining Third-Generation Biomass

Third-generation biomass refers to biofuels made from algae and other photosynthetic microorganisms. These organisms can be grown in various environments, such as wastewater treatment plants, where they convert sunlight, CO2, and other nutrients into lipids, which can be turned into biofuels using various processing technologies.

Identifying Third-Generation Biomass Types

Some examples of third-generation biomass types are: 1. Microalgae (e.g. Chlorella, Spirulina) 2. Cyanobacteria (e.g. Synechocystis) 3. Diatoms (e.g. Phaeodactylum tricornutum)

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In literature, biomass is often referred to as first-, second-, and third- generation biomass. What is meant by these terms? Can you identify some biomass types for each of these generations?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Defining First-Generation Biomass

Identifying First-Generation Biomass Types

Defining Second-Generation Biomass

Identifying Second-Generation Biomass Types

Defining Third-Generation Biomass

Identifying Third-Generation Biomass Types

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