What is the difference between biomass and biogas

They are both carbon neutral biofuels, just in different forms. Biomass can be anything from agricultural crops to wood, animal residues, sewage or other industry byproducts that serve no other purpose and would otherwise be dumped in landfills and openly burned.

When forestry companies cut trees, not every part of the tree is being used in the process. Branches, rotten wood or leaves are considered a waste product. The leftovers are crushed and are transferred to biomass power plant. The other way how to get biomass is to grow it specifically for that purpose. An example is rapeseed, corn or sugarcane. Biomass power plants burn the biomass to convert water to steam. With this steam, heat for buildings or electricity is produced.

Biomass can be burned directly or can be converted to a gas called biogas. It can also be converted into biofuels ethanol or biodiesel and then be burned for energy. Biodiesel is produced from vegetable oils e. A very popular form of biofuel made by the compressed organic matter are pellets.

This can be used to produce energy for the farm. The Deenabandhu type of biogas plant with a fixed dome is very popular in the country, as it is a simple and practical model that does not require any additional power source for feeding it. Also, for garbage disposal from hotels, slaughter houses and public market, this biogas plant is a practical solution that promises safe and economical disposal of wastes and energy production.

The biogas slurry obtained after digestion is enriched manure that can be applied to the crops, being a solution for soil nutrition. Especially the climatic conditions of the humid tropics are decisive for this eco-friendly option.

Cooking accounts for an estimated 2 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, and cooking using firewood produces 45 percent of the CO 2 emissions attributed to cooking. EnDev Kenya, a division of GIZ the German development agency , has been promoting improved cookstoves ICS since in collaboration with the government of Kenya, nongovernmental organizations, and private firms.

They promote two types of energy-efficient and improved cookstoves: the Jiko Kisasa, 40 percent more efficient, and the Rocket stove, 20 percent more efficient. Both are produced locally, use firewood, and have no chimneys but provide good combustion. As of December , about 9. According to EnDev, ICS lowered firewood consumption by , tons corresponding to 38, hectares of forest and cut CO 2 emissions by more than , tons between and On average, the improved cookstoves reduced fuel consumption by about kg a month about percent of consumption.

As ICS adoption reduced the time women spent collecting biomass fuels by minutes a week, it also increased the time women spent on income-generating activities, childcare, and leisure. Furthermore, ICS reduced some of the symptoms associated with exposure to household air pollution.

It has also helped to develop the cookstove market in the rural Kenya, creating jobs in the production, marketing and installation of stoves. Some 4, previously unemployed people mostly women and youth have become self-employed in the ICS market. The increasing agricultural intensification has led to a rapid growth of agricultural biomass waste, which during natural decomposition processes emits methane, a greenhouse gas with 25 percent higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide.

Burning biomass to clear lands for agricultural purposes is also a common practice among farmers, which additionally produces CO 2 and other local pollutants. Inappropriate waste management is contributing to climate change, water and soil contamination, and local air pollution. Furthermore, this waste material has a high energetic value and can be used for energy production, climate change mitigation, and soil amendment among others.

Although negative perceptions of biomass energy are widespread, it is not necessarily an unsustainable or backward fuel. If you are looking for a particular product we might be able to help. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Biomass and biogas are both forms of carbon neutral biofuel, simply in different forms. Biogas Biogas is derived from organic, living matter just as biomass is. Back to Listing Previous Next. Biomass: Biomass is the biological material derived from living organisms. Biogas: Biogas is a mixture of gases produced from organic matter.

Biomass: Sources of biomass are living organisms and organisms that died recently. Biogas: Sources of biogas are organic matter. Biomass: Biomass is composed of biological material. Biogas: Biogas is mainly composed of methane and carbon dioxide. Both biomass and biogas are valuable biofuels.

These biofuels can be used to make heat energy required for household works, as fuels for transportation, to produce electricity, etc. But there are differences between biomass and biogas. The main difference between biomass and biogas is that biomass is solid material whereas biogas is a gaseous compound.

Webdesign, Insyde. Biomass is fuel developed from organic materials. Her interest areas for writing and research include Biochemistry and Environmental Chemistry. Figure 2: Biogas Plant. View all posts. Leave a Reply Cancel reply.