Biomass and electrical energy

Biomass is a broad term, which is used to describe material of biological origin that can be used as a source of energy. As such, it includes trees, crops and other plants as well as agricultural residues. It also includes many materials that are considered wastes by our society, including industrial wastes, sludge, manures and the organic fraction of household waste. Biomass can be readily converted into solid, liquid or gaseous fuels and thereafter can be used to generate electricity. One form of biomass is industrial and household waste, which can be cut or chopped into fuel pieces or pellets and be used as a solid fuel in a boiler to raise steam, which can be used to turn a steam generator and produce electricity. Another form of biomass is the daily manure of swine and cattle farm. The manure is collected and by means of anaerobic digestion, biogas (composed mostly of methane) is produced, which can be used as a fuel to drive a gas engine to produce electricity. The biogas used as a fuel for generating electricity can also be produced by means of other methods, such as combustion and pyrolysis.