Chapter 11: Problem 4

Distinguish between direct sources and indirect sources of biomass energy and give an example of each.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Direct sources of biomass energy involve using organic materials as fuel to generate energy, such as burning wood logs or agricultural residues for heat or electricity. Indirect sources of biomass energy require converting organic materials into another form, like biofuels or biogas, through chemical or biological processes before generating energy. One example of direct biomass energy is burning wood logs for heat, while an example of indirect biomass energy is producing bioethanol from corn and sugarcane for use in combustion engines or electricity generation.

Step by step solution

Definition of Biomass Energy

Biomass energy is a type of renewable energy produced from organic materials such as plants, animals, and their by-products. This can include wood, agricultural crops, waste, manure, and more.

Direct Sources of Biomass Energy

Direct sources of biomass energy are those where the organic material is directly used as a fuel to generate energy. They are typically renewable and can be replenished easily. Examples of direct biomass energy sources include burning wood or other combustible biomass materials (e.g., agricultural residues or animal waste) to produce heat or electricity. #tag_example# Example of Direct Biomass Energy Source

One common example of a direct biomass energy source is wood logs, which are burned to generate heat. Another example is the burning of agricultural residues, such as corn stalks and straw, to generate electricity in power plants.

Indirect Sources of Biomass Energy

Indirect sources of biomass energy are those where organic material is converted into another form of energy, often through chemical or biological processes, before being used to generate energy. The conversion processes create secondary products such as biogas or biofuels, which can be then used to generate energy. #tag_example# Example of Indirect Biomass Energy Source

One example of an indirect biomass energy source is the production of bioethanol from corn and sugarcane. The plant material is first converted into a sugar solution, which is then fermented by microorganisms to produce bioethanol. This biofuel can be used in internal combustion engines or power plants to generate electricity. Another example is the production of biogas from anaerobic digestion of organic waste materials, such as animal manure or food waste. The biogas can be burned to generate heat and electricity or used as a vehicle fuel.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

Recommended explanations on Environmental Science Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Distinguish between direct sources and indirect sources of biomass energy and give an example of each.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Definition of Biomass Energy

Direct Sources of Biomass Energy

One common example of a direct biomass energy source is wood logs, which are burned to generate heat. Another example is the burning of agricultural residues, such as corn stalks and straw, to generate electricity in power plants.

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Environmental Science Textbooks

Environmental Research

Ecology Research

Pollution

Environmental Policy

Ecological Conservation

Sustainability

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.