Biomass/
Biodiesel
Jessica Baker,
Jeanne Cannon,
Arthur Bryant
What is it?
● Biomass
○ biological material derived from living,
or recently living organisms.
○ Main type = Lignocellulosic Biomass
○ Wood wastes
● Biodiesel
○ biofuel intended as a substitute for
diesel.
What is it from? Where is it?
Technical Impediments
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High up-front capital costs
o lack of profitability
o feedstock transportation costs
Not enough policy incentives
Change into sugar
What modifications (if any) must be made to
existing diesel engines to get them to run on
biodiesel?
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Can be used in standard diesel engines.
o NOT CARS!
o Some Companies void warranty for using biodiesel
Mix biodiesel with regular fuel
Biodiesel -- better for our engines!
Environmental Impacts
• Deforestation
• Uses soil degradation
• Massive land use
*Biodiesel is one of many
alternative fuel options that
has the potential to help
reduce oil dependence and
global warming pollution.
But done wrong, biodiesel
can actually increase global
warming pollution and cause
other environmental
problems, such as
deforestation and loss of
biodiversity.
Pros
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Truly a renewable fuel
Widely available and naturally
distributed
Generally low cost inputs
Abundant supply
Can be domestically produced for
energy independence
Low carbon, cleaner than fossil fuels
Can convert waste into energy,
helping to deal with waste
Cons
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Energy intensive to produce. In some
cases, with little or no net gain.
Land utilization can be considerable.
Can lead to deforestation.
Requires water to grow
Not totally clean when burned (NOx,
soot, ash, CO, CO2)
May compete directly with food
production (e.g. corn, soy)
Some fuels are seasonal
Heavy feedstocks require energy to
transport.
Overall process can be expensive
Some methane and CO2 are emitted
during production
Not easily scalable
http://youtu.be/-ck3FYVNl6s
Are
biomass
and
biodiesel
truly
sustainable?
What’s to come for Biomass &
Biodiesel?
RESIDENTIAL
References
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Biomass 2013: How the advanced bioindustry is reshaping american energy. (2013, august 1).
Retrieved from http://www1.eere.energy.gov/bioenergy/biomass_2013.html
Biomass. (2013, december 1). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biomass
Korhaliller, S., & Macqueen, D. (2010). Bundles of energy bundles of energy macqueen and
korhaliller duncan macqueen and sibel korhaliller the case for renewable biomass energy.
Natural Resource, (24), 1-99. Retrieved from http://pubs.iied.org/pdfs/13556IIED.pdf
http://www.globalproblems-globalsolutions-files.org/gpgs_files/pdf/UNF_Bioenergy/UNF_Bioenergy_5.pdf
http://www.biodiesel.com/index.php/biodiesel/frequently_asked_questions_about_biodiesel
http://www.planete-energies.com/en/everyday-energy/new-uses/overview-of-green-fuels-/developing-biofuels-obstacles-tobe-overcome-188.html
http://feedstockreview.ornl.gov/pdf/tagore/multiyear_technical_plan_document_summary.pdf
http://biomassmagazine.com/articles/9204/report-investigates-ways-to-overcome-development-barriers