Biomass Fuel: It's Massive!

We don't think about it much on a daily basis, but many of the paper products we constantly use (and other household waste) that can’t be recycled into other usable forms are typically sent to a landfill. But, many of these items can be re-used in multiple ways as something we now call "biomass".

Biomass can be recycled for fuel or other uses while at the same time cutting down on landfill space needed for holding more and more waste.

Biomass also includes things like tree branches, yard clippings, dead trees, dried up (leftover) crops, wood chips, bark and sawdust. In some cases, manure from livestock and even used tires can be used to make this fuel.

Where Do I Find Biomass Fuel?

These companies are working fervently to try to make this happen. And they are well on their way to seeing this soon become a reality.

For now, just know that these businesses are seriously looking at ways of using this resource more thoroughly and efficiently. Once we find a way to produce fuel directly from biomass substances, this fuel source by itself, can completely eliminate our need for fossil fuels altogether.

How Is Biomass Used?

The primary way of releasing energy from biomass is by burning it. But, there are other ways, as well.

Here are the current known ways of using biomass for energy:

1.) Methane Gas – Things like animal manure, and garbage from landfills create methane gas emissions. This has come to be known by “landfill gas” or “biogas” in most circles. These emissions can be safely burned to create energy.

2.) Ethanol and Biodiesel – As we have discussed on other pages, ethanol and biodiesel can be derived from biomass substances and used as additives or as pure fuels for use in combustion engines.

3.) High-Octane Gasoline – A company called Texas Engineering Experiment Station in Texas is working on a way to create a high-octane fuel from biomass substances that can be used in combustion engines just like gasoline is now.

The Future

Dr. Kenneth Hall, associate director of
TEES (Texas Engineering Experiment Station) and Jack E. & Frances Brown, Chair and professor in the Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University believe they have found a way to convert biomass directly into high-octane gasoline.

A company called Byogy Renewables, Inc. is working closely with them in this joint venture and they believe this could be a reality by the year 2010 (or shortly thereafter). And the implications of this are amazing!

Bio-degradable mass substances have been used for many years in both burning and creating ethanols. Currently, almost 70% of biomass materials become waste and are never used for any type of production or energy.

But, being able to produce a type of high-octane gasoline would truly prevent us from having to rely on and use fossil fuels. This really becomes clear when we realize we could use almost 100% of it - and virtually never run out.

This fuel, used alongside other energy sources, can mean that our future will continue to look bright and hopeful for generations to come.

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