Biomass energyIntroductionBiomass generally refers to the renewable organic matter generated by plants through photosynthesis, wherein solar energy combines with CO2and moisture to form carbohydrates and oxygen. Materials having combustible organic matter are referred to as biomass. Biomass contains C, H and O which are oxygenated hydrocarbons. It generally contains a high level of moisture and volatile matter but has a low bulk density and calorific value. Coal is the end product of a sequence of biological and geological processes that biomass undergoes.Biomass energyBiomass energy is the utilization of energy stored in organic matter. Itis humanitys oldest external source of energy, dating back to prehistoric mans first use of fire. And biomass is still an important part of the worlds energy system; the use of traditional biomasscharcoal, firewood, and animal dungin developing countries accounts for almost 10% of the worlds primary energy supply.Bioenergy can be utilized in varied appications: Biomass can be combusted to produceheat(large plants or localized biomass boilers),electricity, or used in combined heat and power (CHP) plants. Biomass can also be used in combination with fossil fuels (co-firing) to improve efficiency and reduce the build up of combustion residues. Biomass has potential to replace petroleum as a source fortransportation fuels.Biomass is also used in conjunction with fossil fuels for electricity generation in waste-to-energy projects. These are niche applications, which depend on the biomass having no other commercial value and being in close proximity to the application.For more information on waste to energy, pleaseclick here.Why Biomass energy?Biomass is an attractive energy source for a number of reasons: Biomass is a renewable energy source generated through natural processes and as a byproduct of human activity. It is also more evenly distributed over the earth's surface than fossil fuel energy sources, and may be harnessed using more cost effective technologies. It provides us the opportunity to be more energy self-sufficient and helps to reduce climate change. It helps farmers, ranchers and foresters better manage waste material, providing rural job opportunities and stimulating new economic opportunities.Types of BiomassBiomass is highly diverse in nature and classified on the basis of site of origin, as follows:Sources of biomass

Field and plantation biomassIndustrial biomassForest biomassUrban waste biomassAquatic biomass

Agricultural crop residues- Cobs, stalks, Straw, Cane thrashes and etcEdible matters from crops-Environmentally spoiled grains, pulses, fruits, nuts, spices, seeds and lint etcDedicated energy crops- Bamboo, Prosopis, Casuarinas, Willow and poplar etcPlantation debris-Leaves, stubbles, barks and trunks etcLivestock wastesfrom fields, slaughter houses and animal husbandries etcAgro-industrial processed biomass and their wastes HuskOil cakeSugar bagassesSugar molasses,WheyHides and skin wastesFruit and pulp debris Saw dustWood pulp and paper shavingsFermented microbial mass etcTimberLog residuesForest floor debrisAnimal carcassMunicipal solid wastesSewage sludgesKitchen and canteen wastesMicroalgae bloomsSea weeds (E.g. Kelp)Fresh water weeds (E.g. Water Hyacinth)Dead fishes

Biomass Potential and Availability in India:India is the 7thlargest country in the world spanning 328 Million hectares and amply bestowed with renewable sources of energy. It has been estimated that India produces about450 million tonnesof biomass per year,of which about200 million tonnesis surplus. Biomass tops the list in providing 32% of all the primary energy use in the country. The tables illustrated below shows the bioenergy potential of various crop residues in India.

Renewable Bio-Feedstocks in India and their Availability for Heat and Power GenerationaCropResidueBiomass Produced (kT/Yr)Power potential (MW)Calorific potential (Mcal/sec)

ArecanutFronds788.59422.4

ArecanutHusk212.3255.9

ArharStalks5120.2609145.4

ArharHusk614.47317.4

BajraStalks12039.41433342.2

BajraCobs1986.523656.3

BajraHusk1805.921551.3

BananaResidue11936.51421339.4

BarleyStalks563.26716

BarseemStalks71.681.9

Black pepperStalks29.13.50.8

CardamomStalks43.651.1

Cashew nutStalks148.2184.2

Cashew nutShell41.24.51.0

Castor seedStalks1657.219747

Castor seedHusk41.451.1

CasuarinaWood211.8255.9

CoconutFronds7278.9866206.8

CoconutHusk & pith3184.737990.5

CoconutShell1321.9157374.9

CoffeePruning & wastes1457.617341.3

CoffeeHusk133.4163.8

CorianderStalks188.3225.2

CottonStalk31358.33733891.6

CottonHusk10789.11284306.6

CottonBollshell10789.1128430.6.6

Cow gramStalks48.55.71.3

Cumin seedStalks182.621.75.182

Dry chillyStalks268.6327.6

Castor seedHusk41.451.1

GroundnutShell13148.21565373.8

GroundnutStalks1972.223556.1

GuarStalks233.3286.7

Horse gramStalks191.3235.5

JowarCobs5043.5600143.3

JowarStalks17147.82041487.4

JowarHusk2017.424057.3

KesarStalks9.410.23

Kodo milletsStalks3.130.40.95

LinseedStalks86.3102.3

MaizeStalks23421.32788665.9

MaizeCobs3536.4421100.5

MasoorStalks600.371.417.053

MeshtaStalks1605.4191456.1

MeshtaLeaves40.151.1

MoongStalks6718019.1

MoongHusk91.5112.6

MothStalks17.820.47

MustardStalks6999833198.9

MustardHusk1658.119747.0

Niger seedStalks94112.6

OthersOthers0.340.040.009

PaddyStraw149646.9178154255

PaddyHusk19995.92380568.4

PaddyStalks322.3389.0

Peas & beansStalks27.43.20.764

PotatoLeaves832.59923.6

PotatoStalks54.86.51.5

PulsesStalks1390.416539.4

RagiStraw2630.231374.7

RubberPrimary wood1495.317842.5

RubberSecondary wood996.911828.1

SafflowerStalks539.36415.2

SunnhempStalks14.11.60.382

SawanStalks0.220.020.004

Small milletsStalks600.171.417

SoyabeanStalks9940.21183282.5

SugarcaneTops & leaves12143.91445345.1

SunflowerStalks1407.616739.8

Sweet potatoStalks12.81.50.358

TapiocaStalks3959471112.4

TeaSticks909.810825.7

TilStalks1207.714434.3

TobaccoStalks204.824.35.8

TurmericStalks32.340.955

UradStalks782.69322.2

Total -511041.39

aEstimations are approximated for a unit megawatt (MW) power plantPotential of Various Cellulosic Feed stocks in India for Ethanol ProductionS.NoAgro-feedstockEthanol yield (L/Kg)Biomass surplus availability (kT/Yr)Projected yield of ethanol (Million litres)

1Barley stalk0.31563174.5

2Corn stalk0.29234216792

3Rice straw0.2814964641900.8

4Sorghum stalk0.27171474629.6

5Wheat straw0.2910500030450

6Sugarcane bagasse0.2816200045360

Potential of Different Oilseeds and Trees of India for biodiesel productionbS.NoOilseed cropAverage oil yield (kg/ha)Biodiesel potential (kg)

1Castor1045940.5

2Groundnut921829.3

3Mustard409.5368

4Sunflower530477

5Safflower408367.2

6Rapeseed394.5355

7Soybean307276.3

8Linseed725652.5

9Niger122109.8

10Sesame566509.4

11Cotton190171

12Jatropha12001080

Potential of Tree Borne Oil seeds in India

TreeTotal oil potential (tonnes)Projected biodiesel volume (tonnes)

13Sal (Shorea robusta)744000669600

14Mahua (Madhuca indica)182000163800

15Neem (Azadirachta indica)10000090000

16Rubber (Hevea braziliensis)3500031500

17Karanja (Pongamia pinnata)30,00027000

18Kusum (Schleichera oleosa)1500013500

19Khakan (Salvadora oleoides)1400012600

20Undi (Calophyllum inophyllum)70006300

21Dhupa (Vateria indica)20001800

bEstimations are made on theoretical conversion of vegetable oils to methyl fatty esters (Biodiesel) at 90% efficiency. In case of oilseeds from trees, oil is assumed to be used only for biodiesel production.

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