NEPAL

Biomass Biofuel Project

December 2018
 INDEX
A Introduction

B Vision

C NEPAL

 About

 Agriculture and Livestock

 Geography

 Biodiversity

 Irrigation

 Plantation

 Bamboo

 Energy Consumption

D Biomass

 What is Biomass ?

 Types of Biomass

 History of Biomass

 Biomass Advantages Over Fossil Fuels

 Lowering Toxic Emissions With Biomass Burners

 Biomass to Gas Conversion

 Biomass Disadvantages As A Source Of Energy

 Biomass Energy Pros And Cons

 Research in Biomass Energy

 Biomass Gasification

 Farmers Contribution To Biomass Production

  New Fuel Biomass Renewable Energy Source

 Biomass And Agriculture

 Making The Distinction Between Biomass And Bioenergy

 The Costs Of Biomass And Biofuels Compared With Fossil Fuels

 The Relationship Between Biomass And Carbon

 The Benefits Of Biomass To Liquid Fuel

 The Importance Of Converting Biomass To Energy

 Biomass And Methane

 Biomass And Climate Change

 Biomass And Alternative Fuel Systems

 Biomass And Carbon Relationship

 Biomass Alternative Energy

E Technology

 Briefing / Project Specifications

 Infrastructure Requirements

 Input

 Output

F Equipment

 Plant Configuration

 Project Deliverables

 Project Schedule

 Inclusions / Exclusions

G Finance Calculations

H Summary

 Economic Advantages of Technology

INTRODUCTION
There is a current global need for clean and renewable energy sources. Fossil fuels are non-
renewable and require finite resources, which are dwindling because of high cost and
environmentally damaging retrieval techniques. So, the need for cheap and obtainable resources is
greatly needed. An efficient and more feasible alternative option is Biomass based Energy.

Abundant Agriculture Waste is available with Farmers after Crop Harvesting. Biomass is an
industry term for getting energy by burning wood, and other organic matter. Burning biomass
releases carbon emissions, but has been classed as a renewable energy source, because plant
stocks can be replaced with new growth. It has become popular among coal power stations, which
switch from coal to biomass in order to convert to renewable energy generation without wasting
existing generating plant and infrastructure. Biomass most often refers to plants or plant-based
materials that are not used for food or feed, and are specifically called lignocellulose biomass. As
an energy source, biomass can either be used directly via combustion to produce heat, or
indirectly after converting it to various forms of biofuel. Conversion of biomass to biofuel can be
achieved by different methods which are broadly classified into: thermal, chemical, and
biochemical. Some chemical constituents of plant biomass include lignin’s, cellulose, and
hemicellulose.

SCF identified a technology which has potential to convert available Biomass to useful Fuel.
Biomass conversion to liquid fuel will also reduce transportation cost and issue for solid biomass.

Effective use of Biomass available with Farmers for Biofuel development will ensure additional
income to farmers and Renewable Fuel availability as a substitute to Fossil Fuel.

Vision :

Effective use of Agriculture Waste for substitute

Renewable Energy development by changing lives of
Indian Farmers and Youth empowerment
NEPAL
ABOUT
The country is landlocked between two most populous countries of the world, India in the East,
South and West, and China in the North. Nepal is a home to natural beauty with traces of artifacts.

The Northern Himalayan range, where the highest peak of the world the Mount Everest stands, is
covered with snow throughout the year. The middle range includes hills, valleys and lakes. The
Southern range which is also called Terai is a gangaitic plain of alluvial soil and consists of dense
forest area, national parks, wildlife reserves and conservation areas. The temperature and rainfall
differ from place to place.

About 26.5 million people belonging to more than 60 castes and ethnicity live in the
geographically and climatically diversified conditions. Nepal presents an example of being united
in diversity throughout history and has maintained its pride as being an independent sovereign
state.

The country is administratively alienated to five development regions and 75 districts. Districts
are further divided into smaller units, called Village Development Committee (VDC) and
Municipality. Currently, there are 3,648 VDCs and 192 Municipalities in the country. Each VDC is
composed of 9 wards whereas municipality ward ranges from 9 to 35. Kathmandu is the capital
city. There are several snowy peaks, rivers, rivulets and natural lakes in the country.

Nepal is a member of the United Nations and has established diplomatic relations with other
countries of the world. Major export commodities are paste, pulses, oil cake, catechu, jute bags,
traditional hand knotted carpets, readymade garments, handicrafts and ginger.

Economic growth of the country has not improved markedly over time to overtake population
growth. The gain achieved by the developmental activities has been superseded by the ever
growing population (1.35%). More than half (57%) of the population of working age is reported
economically active and among them 81 percent are engaged in agricultural activities.
Contribution of non-agricultural activities is gradually increasing in the GDP.

In addition, the seeds, food grains, agricultural tools, implements and machineries were also
buried into the debris of the housed which has severely disrupted the food production system and
livelihoods in the 40 most affected districts. The United Nations estimated that approximately
eight million people had been affected by the earthquakes. Destruction of buildings, roads and
other infrastructure will make re-building a long-term challenge.
AGRICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK
Nepal is an Agricultural country having 66 percent people directly engaged in farming. Farming is
subsistent in nature and crop is mostly integrated with livestock.

Nepal is richly endowed with agro-biodiversity. Rice, maize, millet, wheat, barley and buckwheat
are the major staple food crops. Similarly, oilseeds, potato, tobacco, sugarcane, jute and cotton are
the important cash crops whereas lentil, gram, pigeon pea, blackgram, horsegram and soyben are
the important pulse crops. Nepal is also famous for orthodox tea, large cardamom, turmeric and
zinger too. Most Nepalese farmers grow diversified crops in order to hedge against erratic and
uncertain weather and other unfavourable agronomic conditions.

Livestock is one of the important sources of cash income of the farm households. Livestock
products which are sold for cash. The cash needs of the farm families are mainly met through the
sale of milk, yoghurt, cheese, ghee, Chhurpi, meat, egg and live animals and poultry. Generally,
farm families in mountains raise Yak or Chauri (Himalayan breed of cow) and sheep, in hills cow,
sheep, goat and rural poultry and in Terai buffalo, cow, goat and poultry. Poultry husbandry is
emerging enterprise in Terai and hills. Human and animal labours are major sources of farm
power.

In addition, Nepal grows a number of fruit and vegetable crops. Some important ones are Apple,
peach, pear, plum, walnut, orange, lime, lemon, mango, lichi, banana, pineapple, papaya, cucumber,
lady’s finger, brinjal, pumpkin and several leafy vegetables.

Fresh water fish culture is another emerging enterprise in Terai whereas rainbow trout in the hills
and in the lower mountains.

In Nepal, the economy is dominated by agriculture. In the late 1980s, it was the livelihood for
more than 90 percent of the population, although only approximately 20 percent of the total land
area was cultivable, it accounted for, on average, about 60 percent of the GDP and approximately
75 percent of exports.] Since the formulation of the Fifth Five-Year Plan (1975–80), agriculture has
been the highest priority because economic growth was dependent on both increasing the
productivity of existing crops and diversifying the agricultural base for use as industrial inputs.
GEOGRAPHY
Nepal is located in South Asia and extends approximately from the 26th to the 30th northern
latitude and the 80th to the 88th eastern longitude. Nepal covers an area of 147,181 square km, of
which about 143,000 square kilometers of land area and the remaining 4,000 square km are
inland waters. The east-west extent is 885 kilometers, and the maximum north-south extent
reached in western Nepal is about 241 kilometers. Nepal lies between Tibet in the north and India
in the south. Nepal borders (from west to east) on the Indian states of Uttarakhand , Uttar Pradesh
, Bihar , West Bengal and the former kingdom of the Indian Union Sikkim.

To the north and east lies much of the Himalayan mountain range, including Mount Everest, whose
summit, at 8,848 meters, is the highest point on earth. Seven of the other ten highest mountains in
the world are also in Nepal. The lowest point, however, is located at 70 meters at Kencha Kalan in
southern Nepal. This makes Nepal the highest country in the world after Tibet. Over 40% of the
land area is over 3000 meters.
BIODIVERSITY
Physiography of Nepal
Nepal is divided into five ecological regions and the Mid-mountain region has the highest
percentage of forest coverage (33%) followed by the High mountains, Siwaliks, Terai and High
Himalaya region respectively.
IRRIGATION
Out of 2.7 million hectares of agricultural land in Nepal, only 1.3 Mha have irrigation facilities. The
majority of irrigation systems are small and medium-scale.

A recent study the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) revealed that about
0.8% of agricultural GDP is being lost annually due to climate change and extreme events. There is
a need to both improve agricultural productivity and make it more resilient to climate uncertainty
and change in general. Recent increases in floods and droughts have raised concerns that the
climate is changing rapidly and that existing arrangements for irrigation design and management
may need to be reconsidered.
PLANTATION
BAMBOO

 12 Genera and more than 53 species (Das, 2002)

 Tropical bamboos found in the South-East Asia and

 Temperate bamboos found in Tibet and Bhutan (Karki, et. at 1998 cited by Ghimire,
2008)

 Sympodial (e.g.bambusa), Amphipodial (e.g.Mellocanna baciferra), & Monopodial (e.g.

Phyllostachys nigra) (Bamboo Update 2004, Vol.1 No.1)

 Total coverage: around 63,000 ha out of which 60% is estimated to be in the natural
forests

 Estimated growing stock: around 15 million m3

 Biomass value: 1,060 MMt

 Annual production of bamboo culm : 3.01 million out of which 2.64 is internally
consumed and around 0.64 m. culms are exported to India (Poudyal, 1992 and Karki et
al., 1995).

 Annual Production of Bamboo shoots: approx. 102 MMt

 Purpose of growing: About 66% for commercial purposes (Shrestha, 1994).

 People Involvement:

 About 3.3 million farming families are somehow involved with the bamboo sub-sector
either as producers or users of bamboo based products (Pant,2006).

 66% of growers are interested in expanding bamboo farming (Shrestha, 1994).

ENERGY CONSUMPTION
NOC’s annual statistics show that fuel imports increased around 20 percent in the last fiscal year.
As per the state-owned oil monopoly, petrol imports rose 20 percent to 484,781 kilolitres, diesel
imports went up 23 percent to 1,597,551 kilolitres while aviation fuel imports increased 18
percent to 370,560 tonnes over the period.

During the review period, the country imported about

340,000 KL of Petrol, 1080,000 KL Diesel, 15,100 KL of
Kerosene and 15,000 KL Aviation Fuel and 27,100 tons of
Cooking Gas.
Hence Per day requirement of Nepal as above
932 MT Petrol, 3000 MT Diesel, 41 MT Kerosene , 40 MT
Aviation Fuel , 74 MT LPG.
BIOMASS

DEFINITIONS

1) BIOMASS

The total quantity or weight of organisms in a given area or volume.

Organic matter used as a fuel, especially in a power station for the generation of electricity.
Ref: Oxford Dictionary

2) RENEWABLE ENERGY

 Energy from a source that is not depleted when used, such as wind or solar power.
‘the environmental benefits of renewable energy’
Ref: Oxford Dictionary

 Renewable energy is any energy source that is naturally replenished, like that derived from
solar, wind, geothermal or hydroelectric action. Energy produced from the refining of
biomass is also often classified as renewable. Coal, oil or natural gas, on the other hand, are
finite sources.
Ref: https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/renewable-energy

 Renewable energy is from an energy resource that is replaced rapidly by a natural process
such as power generated from the sun or from the wind.
Ref: https://www.sciencedaily.com/terms/renewable_energy.htm

 Renewable energy is energy that is generated from natural processes that are continuously
replenished. This includes sunlight, geothermal heat, wind, tides, water, and various forms
of biomass. This energy cannot be exhausted and is constantly renewed.
Ref: https://extension.psu.edu/what-is-renewable-energy

3) AGRICULTURAL WASTE

 Agricultural waste, which includes both natural (organic) and non-natural wastes, is a
general term used to describe waste produced on a farm through various farming activities.
These activities can include but are not limited to dairy farming, horticulture, seed
growing, livestock breeding, grazing land, market gardens, nursery plots, and even
woodlands.
ref: https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=9698

 According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), agricultural

waste is the byproducts generated by the rearing of animals and the production and
harvest of crops or trees.
Ref: https://www.progressivegardening.com/agricultural-wastes/definition-of-
agricultural-waste.html
  Agricultural Waste is unwanted or unsalable materials produced wholly from agricultural
operations directly related to the growing of crops or raising of animals for the primary
purpose of making a profit or for a livelihood.
Ref: http://www.aqmd.gov/home/rules-compliance/compliance/open-burn/agricultural-
waste

History
During the Second World War, almost every motorised vehicle in continental Europe was
converted to use firewood. Wood gas cars (also known as producer gas cars) are a not-so-elegant
but surprisingly efficient and ecological alternative to their petrol (gasoline) cousins, whilst their
range is comparable to that of electric cars. Rising fuel prices and global warming have caused
renewed interest in this almost-forgotten technology: worldwide, dozens of handymen drive
around in their home-made wood mobiles.

Wood gas powered Vehicles

Wood gasification is a proces whereby organic material is converted into a combustible gas under
the influence of heat - the process reaches a temperature of 1,400 °C (2,550 °F). The first use of
wood gasification dates back to 1870s, when it was used as a forerunner of natural gas for street
lighting and cooking.

In the 1920s, German engineer Georges Imbert developed a wood gas generator for mobile use.
The gases were cleaned and dried and then fed into the vehicle's combustion engine, which barely
needs to be adapted. The Imbert generator was mass produced from 1931 on. At the end of the
1930s, about 9,000 wood gas vehicles were in use, almost exclusively in Europe.

Second World War

WOOD GAS POWER Militery tank

The technology became commonplace in many European countries during the Second World War,
as a consequence of the rationing of fossil fuels. In Germany alone, around 500,000 producer gas
vehicles were in operation by the end of the war.

A network of some 3,000 "petrol stations" was set up, where drivers could stock up on firewood.
Not only private cars but also trucks, buses, tractors, motorcycles, ships and trains were equipped
with a wood gasification unit. Some tanks were driven on wood gas, too, but for military use the
Germans preferred the production of liquid synthetic fuels (made out of wood or coal).
Wood gas power Tank
Wood gas power Tractor

Indian Farmers can make use of Biomass for Agriculture Practices. Biomass gasification
technology is right solution for this. This technology use will lead to new business opportunities
for Farmers.

The technology implementation is easy to integrate with existing vehicle system.

1) WHAT IS BIOMASS?

Biomass is the mass of living organisms present in a particular area or ecosystem. The
measurement of the amount of biomass present is handled differently based on the reason for the
measure and exactly what the measurement is supposed to mean. However, this definition does
cover the more conventional uses of the term. We will, therefore, attempt to answer the question,
"What is Biomass?" as it relates to energy production.

In the world of energy production, the term biomass refers to renewable sources of energy that
come from living organisms as well those that have recently died. This eliminates the fossil fuels
such as coal and petroleum because, while produced from ancient biomass, these fuels are bound
in the earth's crust and are not part of the carbon cycle. Burning biomass does not release carbon
into the atmosphere that adds to the amount of carbon already present in the normal carbon cycle.
However, combustion of biomass to produce energy does put the carbon into the atmosphere
faster than natural processes can accommodate and reabsorb.

Different substances meet the definition of biomass. These include wood, both directly harvested
and waste products from other processes, grasses, grains, oils produced from trees or vegetables,
household garbage, and more. Industries are typically more selective when they define biomass to
mean only that which is useful to their particular type of business.

One example would be ethanol used to produce fuel. This particular alcohol comes almost
exclusively from corn, though experiments have shown that it can be harvested from other plants
and grains. Vegetable based oils that are used in the production of the fuel, biodiesel, are also
biomass products. Wood used to produce heat meats the definition.

Another type of biomass that is being researched as possible sources of energy is known as
landfill gas or biogas. The primary ingredient here is methane gas, which forms naturally when
plant and animal matter rot. It is also the main ingredient found in natural gas. Any plant or
animal waste that produces a foul smell as it rots is producing methane.
The primary advantages of biomass lie in the fact that it is a renewable source of energy. Unlike
fossil fuels, which exist in finite amounts, biomass is generated every day in the form of household
garbage, yard clippings, waste from industrial processing of natural fibres such as wood, and
harvesting trees and agricultural products.

Biomass has been shown to be useful in almost all methods of producing energy that fossil fuels
can be used for. Increased use of biomass has, and will continue to result in reduced dependence
on fossil fuels to meet the energy needs of the human race. As new techniques for harvesting the
stored energy in biomass become available, it is possible that mankind's dependence on fossil
fuels will be eliminated completely and replaced with completely renewable energy sources.
2. Types Of Biomass

Biomass, the energy of the future, is expected to eventually resolve the current problems
regarding fossil fuels. With the knowledge that these fuels are not renewable scientists and
governments have been dedicated to developing an energy source that will satisfy the demands of
the industrial world. It is believed that, with the versatility and many Types Of Biomass this will be
possible.

Biomass, the result of solar rays being absorbed by plants and other organic matter, is in
abundance and easily cultivated. It is not only available in its original form but also available
further up the biomass pyramid. The pyramid identifies each step of the way up the ecosystem
chain the original matter travels.

However, it must be realized that as the products pass along the energy pyramid it loses a little bit
of energy at each step. The original plant, for example, is loaded with solar energy. A cow eats the
plant and at that point, it loses some of its energy, since this must be used to maintain the cow's
health. When the cow passes this on as manure it still has some energy and this can be converted
into methane gas.

To be classified as biomass the material must be solar energized which means it must be exposed
to the sun and its components broken down by photosynthesis. Plant materials and animal waste
are the two major types, with each broken down into segments. A variety of wood projects are the
most used of the plant materials. It is estimated to be 52% of the energy currently being used. .
Other types of this energy containing material can be broken down into agricultural waste
products, agriculture crops, municipal waste, manure, and biofuels.

There has been no problem with identifying exactly what can be classified in this category. The
product must have solar energy which is provided by the sun. If the product must go through a
process such as animal digestion it does reduce its energy, however it is still usable.

The exploration of agricultural products for energy producing projects has advanced by leaps and
bounds. Finding that corn is a very viable crop for this purpose has resulted in many agricultural
farmers realizing more profit by selling it to co-firing projects that produce electricity than selling
it to retail stores. As a result, the repercussions have been widespread.

With the corn in short supply people who are growing beef and other animals have found their
feed costs greatly increased. This has resulted in their having to raise their prices, which is
reflected in the price the consumer must pay. It is felt that this may go on to other products such
as wood pellets, firewood and many consumer products.
Types of Biomass are being researched by professionals in the field as to how to harness more of
this energy from the supplies on hand without shorting the consumer. Planting crops such as
switch grass is encouraging. This crop does not take up valuable land nor require special care such
as fertilizer or pesticides, yet gives a high-energy yield.
3) History of Biomass

Fire, unquestionably the most important discovery in the history of mankind, was discovered
thanks to the accidental combustion of wood. Fire has illuminated, heated, protected and fed
mankind for thousands of years. Briefly, fired fostered the birth of civilisation.

Wood, on the other hand, remained the most widely used raw material for many centuries, not
only to burn fires, but also as building material. The invention of the steam engine allowed
mankind to obtain mechanic energy from the combustion of wood, whereas up to the 18th
century wind and water where the only mechanic energy sources available, thanks to wind and
water mills.

During the Industrial Revolution wood started to become scarce owing to the massive
deforestation carried out to produce energy. Mankind had to look for alternative energy sources
and found them in coal and oil, which at the time were abundant albeit not renewable.

Only recently, energy need and the possible disappearance of fossil fuels and the pollution
produced by the combustion led man to “re-discover” the usefulness of wood and biomass as
energy sources.
4) Biomass Advantages Over Fossil Fuels

The human race has undergone many changes through the millennia. Most of the advances in
technology have occurred in just the last couple of hundred years. The discovery of coal and
petroleum as energy sources changed the face of how we accomplish things like nothing else since
the discovery of fire. However, these fossil fuels do not exist in an inexhaustible supply, making it
necessary to explore other energy options. One such option is the use of biomass as a source of
energy. Here are a few biomass advantages over fossil fuels.

First, biomass is one of the most abundant resources in the world. By definition, it is the mass of
living or recently dead plants and animals, along with their wastes. This means that there is not a
single square centimetre of Earth that does not contain some form of biomass that could be
converted to energy.

Biomass is renewable. If people exercise proper conservation techniques, any form of biomass
that is harvested to produce energy can be replaced over a period of time. How much time is
required depends on the exact biomass used. For instance, trees would take much longer to
replace than corn plants. Fossil fuels, on the other hand exist in finite amounts that will never be
replaced.

Biomass can easily be converted from its natural form into concentrated, high energy fuels such as
alcohols or a type of gas that is virtually identical to natural gas. These fuels are relatively clean
burning when compared with the fossil fuels in use today.
The cost of producing biomass for use as fuels and energy sources is very cheap compared to the
cost of finding and extracting fossil fuels. The cost of finding fuel is eliminated when one
deliberately plants certain types of plants to be used in the production of biomass fuels. Extraction
is generally no more expensive than harvesting crops for food. In some cases, growing and
harvesting crops for biomass fuel use is cheaper than raising food crops.

Inactive areas of land can be put to use as sources of biomass crops and the growing of such crops
can create new jobs in rural areas, reducing the unemployment rates. Additionally, new jobs can
be created collecting biomass in its various forms, including dead plants, animal carcasses, and
dung, to be composted along with solid waste generated by our daily activities. This could become
a major source of methane gas.
If proper conservation is used in growing, harvesting, and replacing biomass crops used as fuels or
in the production of fuels, the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere would see a
net decrease as the new plants would absorb it to produce energy for their own growth. This
could help to slow, or stop global warming and restore balance to the carbon cycle that was
destroyed when man began large scale use of fossil fuels that had been out of the carbon cycle for
millions of years.
These are only some of the biomass advantages over fossil fuels. New advantages are being
discovered almost daily, as scientists continue to explore alternate sources of energy for a time
when there will be no fossil fuels to consume.
5 ) Lowering Toxic Emissions With Biomass Burners

New regulations are placing more and more restrictions on emissions allowed at industrial plants.
Identified by their huge towers, they are specifically designed to improve air quality.
Unfortunately, when it comes to Biomass Burners, many are still undecided where they stand
since, although emissions are lower, they do spew smoke when first lit.

Plants utilizing this technology are said to be promoting sustainable energy since it burns wood,
scraps, and garbage, but many are concerned as they see plumes of smoke being emitted from
cylindrical towers that can be seen for miles. These plants, however, are serving an important
function by utilizing this technology since it requires extensive drying of fuel products.

Manufacturing burners in sizes up to 60 million BTUs per hour, they are the answer for many
industrial processes which require intense amounts of heat, yet they are low in cost to operate.
Their suspended design also allows multiple forms of organic matter to be used for this purpose.
Items such as corn cobs, sawdust, sunflower hulls, wood pellets, peat, charcoal, coal dust, flax
stalks, and much more can all be used for this purpose.

It's important to remember that traditional methods of heat (mostly gas and oil) not only emit
large amounts of toxic fumes, but also failed to utilize the tons of trash which go into landfills each
year. Biomass found a way to achieve many goals while lowering overall costs.

The process is fairly simple: fuel that has been pulled from a hopper is blown into the burner that
is suspended in the tower where combustion occurs within a matter of a few seconds; the
resulting hot gas is then diverted into transfer ducts where draft fans move the gas into pipes,
much like the process found with natural gas; finally, automatic modulation control panels adjust
the firing rate based on input as well as output temperatures to ensure safety and efficiency. That's
basically all there is to it.

The burner itself is lined with lightweight, high-temperature insulation that ensures extended life
and the retention of heat. Additionally, steel surfaces are all painted with anti-oxidant paint which
is also heat resistant. These refractory precautions are highly regulated by air quality control
measures designed to ensure low emissions and maximum protection.
One of the newer purposes for this type of burner is for waste disposal. The Green Institute
viewed it as a "clean and potentially valuable source of electric power and heat for buildings
located nearby, such as hospitals." For towers that are monitored, experts in the field have found
that emissions are actually over 98 percent cleaner than wood burning fireplaces which are used
by many who fail to even consider the toxic output when warming up on a cold night.
Putting it in a simplistic way, Biomass Burners burn organic materials because it is carbon neutral.
The cyclonic suspension towers are able to generate an incredible amount of heat for industrial
use at significantly lower costs. Although there remain concerns regarding the emission of toxins,
monitoring systems supported by governmental regulations fail to find they are not working as
expected. Additionally, their ability to utilize waste by-products are serving to help keep the planet
healthy.
6) Biomass to Gas Conversion

Biomass energy has the world excited about the possibility of getting energy using natural forces.
For many years people have been concerned about the depletion of fossil fuels which all depend
on for so many things. Driving one's car, turning on the gas furnace, and many other operations
have depended on these fuels through the years. Biomass is looked on as the answer to this
problem. There has just been one problem and that is Biomass Conversion.

Biomass, which is formed by solar energy and green plants ends up in solid form. Municipal waste
and other things that also convert into Biomass are in solid form. This makes their movement and
conversion to other types of energy difficult.

Two ways now being researched to make this change are fermentation and pyrolysis. Ethanol and
methane gases are now produced this way. For Ethanol the biomass starch is pulverized and yeast
added to form the gas.
There are over a billion gallons produced each year using this method. Methane gas is produced
from animal manure and is processed using bacteria. This is quite a lengthy process and
experiments are being made to speed up the process.

The use of biomass as a fuel has made it very attractive as an alternative to gasoline and oil. It is
estimated there are over 100,000,000 metric tons of this product produced annually. When the
conversion process is developed to where it can be done quickly and inexpensively it is expected
that Biomass fuel will take over the industry.

It has been stated that biofuels can reduce automobile emissions into the atmosphere by over one
hundred percent, as well as reduce our dependence on foreign oil. This is the goal of Biomass.
7) Biomass Disadvantages As A Source Of Energy

Scientists have been warning the world for many years that the fossil fuels we rely on so heavily
for energy are a finite resource. The search has been going on for renewable sources of energy to
replace them for several decades. One of the more promising options for obtaining energy has
proven to be biomass, fuel created from living or recently dead organisms. However, there are
some biomass disadvantages as a source of energy.

The first, and possibly worst, disadvantage of biomass energy is that burning biomass directly as a
fuel produces more greenhouses gases than can be absorbed by remaining plants, making it a
hazardous contributor to global warming.

Combustion of biomass as a fuel also consumes it at a much faster rate than it can be
replaced. This means that biomass is, in and of itself, not a very efficient source of energy.
However, with the addition of a small amount of energy, biomass can be converted into a different
fuel, alcohol or methane, that is relatively clean burning and yields more energy than the original
mass going into the process.

This does mean, though, that biomass has the disadvantage, at least on a small scale, of yielding a
negative amount of energy. This means that more energy must be added to produce a viable fuel
and that the amount of energy yielded by that fuel is not equal to the energy that went into
making it. The only way to overcome this disadvantage is to work on a large enough scale that the
energy added works on a larger quantity of biomass at the same time, yielding more usable fuel
and energy.

Collection of biomass that is feasible to use for creating fuel is difficult. There is simply not an
abundance of dead plant or animal matter available in any one location that can be used as fuel or
broken down for conversion to a more efficient fuel. This means that someone must expend
energy and take time collecting biomass into one location before the process of converting it to
fuel can even begin.

Though biomass is a renewable resource, there are limits to how quickly it can be replaced. If
people harvest trees for use as fuel or to convert into other forms of fuel, those trees will take
many years to replace with more trees of equal size. This means that we must focus our efforts on
using plants, grains, and other forms of biomass that can be replaced quickly and inexpensively.

Biomass is showing great promise as a source of energy to replace fossil fuels being consumed in
today's world. It has the potential to yield fuels that burn cleaner than existing sources of energy
and yield more, renewable energy.

However, biomass disadvantages as a source of energy must be overcome before it will be a

completely reliable source. More studies are on-going to determine what forms of biomass will
yield the greatest amount of energy and be quickly renewable so that man will not be without
energy when fossil fuel supplies are exhausted.
Currently Biomass Crop Pattern Developed which leads confirm Biomass Supply Throughout the
Year.
8) Biomass Energy Pros And Cons

Biomass energy derived from plant and animal matter is one of many alternative fuel sources
being looked at to replace the fossil fuels that man relies so heavily for energy. One of the things
that makes biomass so appealing is that it is a renewable resource, while fossil fuels exist in finite
amounts. However, in order understand its importance, one must understand the biomass energy
pros and cons.

Pros

Biomass is a completely renewable resource. Fuel can be produced using grains and plant waste
that would otherwise go unused. Many of these plants and grains can be replaced the very next
growing season.

Organic waste in the form of dead trees, leaves, grass clippings, animal carcasses and by products
from food processing exists in abundance and can be used to produce biomass energy. This means
that a large amount of solid waste that is currently just dumped into landfills can be used as a
source of energy.

Waste products generated by human activity, such as paper and household garbage can be
collected and used as biomass to generate energy. This could have the effect of reducing the
amount of waste generated and sent to landfills or placed on barges and sent out to sea by
millions of tons a year.

Biomass can be used in many forms. It can be compressed into briquettes that are burned to
produce heat, electricity, or other forms of energy. It can be processed and refined to produce
alcohols and methane gas, both of which make clean burning sources of energy.

Finally, biomass energy can save a great deal of many in transportation costs alone because it can
be used in the same area in which it is produced more cost effectively than having huge pipelines
or long distance transmission lines.

Cons

Direct burning of biomass as fuel can release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the
atmosphere at an accelerated rate, possibly contributing to the problem of global warming. These
gases can also pose a risk to the ozone layer, increasing overall exposure to harmful UV rays from
the sun.

In order to avoid this effect, converting biomass into a different form of fuel, such as alcohol or
methane, Bio oil ,Biofuel is necessary. This conversion process requires an input of energy that can
make biomass energy more costly than beneficial on a small scale.

The cost of accumulating and harvesting biomass in its raw form is much higher than the cost of
extracting fossil fuels at the current time. It takes time and money to gather and transport biomass
to a central point for processing into fuel.

A biomass power plant would require a great deal of space to accommodate the various stages of
collection and conversion of the mass into fuel before burning it to produce electricity, Liquid
Fuel . Water can also be a problem as it would require large quantities to handle the recycling
process for waste materials.
A careful look at the biomass energy pros and cons reveals that it is far from the perfect energy
source that man would like, but it is still very promising as a replacement for the fossil fuels we
use now.
9) Research in Biomass Energy

The entire world is now involved in the production of Biomass Energy. Being able to take products
that grow naturally in the environment and turn them into an energy to supply the needs of the
industrial world is exciting. Biomass is the nomenclature for organic materials such as plants,
wood, municipal waste and other products that have received solar energy from the sun.

The sun was recognized as a power source from the very beginning. Some ancient civilizations
even worshiped it. Without this energy source everything on the planet would die. It was in 1901
that the first patent was recorded regarding a machine to capture its power.

In 1904, Albert Einstein wrote about the potential of electricity from sunlight and in 1913 a patent
was given for a solar cell. In 1916 was the first time a person was able to produce electricity using
the sun's rays. It wasn't until the 1950's that NASA became involved with using a solar energy
platform in connection with spacecraft once they were in orbit.

Although connecting organic growth with the sun's energy had been discussed for years, it was
not until the 1970's that much interest was shown outside of scientific circles. In 2000 the
government became interested in the production of energy using biomass but it was not very
fruitful. It was not until the world started being concerned about damage to the atmosphere from
fossil fuel emissions that the idea of using this kind of energy became popular.

The solar energy found in plants and transferring it into the earth population's needs has been a
lifetime study of some scientists. Today it has the attention of the world. Worldwide conferences
have and are being held and awards given. At the current time there have been 90 nominations,
representing all continents for a World Bioenergy Award 2010.

Seven individuals from different countries have been nominated to receive this award. They all
made contributions to the development of bioenergy in many different areas. The countries and
their work with biomass energy are interesting and show that work is being pursued everywhere
to take advantage of this replacement of fossil fuels.

Brazil presented a research on short rotation eucalyptus, utilizing high density technologies;
Finland reported moving the country from total dependency on fossil fuels in 1970 to currently
using biomass for over 1/4 of energy utilization; India the establishment of a research laboratory
for biogas production from cattle waste. New Zealand worked on bioenergy research and
pioneered bioenergy on a worldwide scale; USA worked with an African project using liquid
biofuel stoves; Sweden is developing a biogas industry; Canada developed transporting wood
pellets to Europe for use as biofuel.

Every day a new idea is being presented to capture the solar energy present in natural resources
and turn them into daily use by mankind. These resources are not only renewable but are in one
form or another over the entire planet. There is now a serious involvement in Biomass Energy
development and the prospect of eventually using this source for all the world's needs seems to be
a very good possibility.
10) Biomass Gasification

Biomass Gasification is a relatively new technology able to convert any kind of biomass energy
with lower heat values, such as the wastes from cultivation, forests and organic wastes in to
combustible gas. Then this gas is fed to a generator that generates electricity.

The utilization of renewable energy sources can offer numerous environmental benefits, and
provides sustainable power which can be used in industry and other utilities. This type of
gasification can offer market for dedicated energy crops, and the needed energy for the generation
of power; therefore, it offsets and reduces the need for other types of fuel, such as fossil fuel.
Utilization of biomass can offer an alternative method of power generation, which is also much
more cost effective.

Using biomass gasification for power generation can be a plausible solution to several issues, such
as the environmental pollution, the renewable energy and the organic wastes. This is the reason
why the technology of biomass gasification has been attracting increasingly more applications and
research. Although new, this technology has been continuously optimized.

Gasification for power generation can be realized in three ways. Here they are in short:
- The fuel gas which is produced with this type of gasification is directly put in to a boiler, which
produces steam. The steam is redirected to a steam turbine, which is able to generate electricity.
- The clean gas can drive a pertinent turbine in order to generate electricity- The clean gas can
drive a gas engine in order to create power

Biomass gasification is a thermo-chemical process which has the potential to convert lingo-
cellulosic biomasses in to gas or liquid intermediate, which is the proper material for further
refining to valuable products. Today, the technologies that use gas engines for the gasification
usually get wide acceptance and applications, due to their rather small capacity.

The main advantages of this process are the low investment, the nimble arrangement, the reliable
techniques used, the low costs, and the overall compact structure. Moreover, this type of
gasification demands simple operation and low maintenance costs, as well as lower demands for
gas quality. Gasification, more than combustion, can be more environmentally effective, and offers
additional operational advantages; it is a very reliable way to use the produced gas in fuel cells.

The power plant needed in this case depends on the economics of the gasification process and its
logistics, as well as the feedstock that might be utilized. The commercial fuel cell power plants are
usually planned in the two to three MW range, which can also be used for the gasification at the
same range. Large plants can be configured by multiples on the particular plant, but larger plants
are also desirable.

Gasification rely on a chemical process which takes place at high temperatures, more than 700C;
this is what distinguishes this process from any other biological process, such the anaerobic
digestion which is used to produce biogases. In general all types of organic materials can play the
role of raw materials for the gasification, such as plastic wastes, wood and biomass.
11) Farmers Contribution To Biomass Production

Biomass is the word on everyone's lips who is concerned about the depletion of the world supply
of fossil fuels. In a sense it's harnessing the sun which has been partially done previously with the
installation of solar panels, heaters and other products. With the discover of the wonderful
benefits of Biomass there came about the problem of producing enough product to process. In
other words Biomass Production.

Since Biomass is contained in living plants and vegetation then one must go to the people
experienced in this area to see about increasing the production. There are a number of ideas in the
works to bring this about. With farmers using corn energy crops to produce almost four billion
gallons of ethanol a year that is a good place to start.

Farmers are expected to be encouraged to plant energy crops

in large amounts. Switch grass has been found to be excellent
as a biofuel and, since it is a native plant and requires little to
encourage growth it can be planted in areas that do not grow
other crops very well. It's also excellent to prevent erosion
and runoff.

At the present time research is being done on fast-growing,

cost-efficient trees as well as alfalfa and other such crops.
Cottonwoods have been found to be excellent as they grow
very fast and can be harvested and re-planted quickly. Corn is
an especially high energy producing crop.

The United States has a large supply of timber, especially in the North West Area. When these trees
are harvested they, by law, are immediately re-planted. Within a few years the forest is full of tress
again. Tree farms are being encouraged and many small acreages are planting them.
Municipal Waste has been developed in the past few years as a source of Ethanol. The public, in
most cities, is required to separate their papers and other such products in a separate container
for collection. This, in turn, is sorted and the appropriate items used to make Ethanol gas.
It's expected, as Biomass becomes the mainstay of energy production, that farmers will be
encouraged to develop agricultural crops for this specific purpose. This will enable them to have a
profitable crop will assisting in producing low cost, efficient energy. For many years those in the
agricultural business have complained because their profit between planting and delivering to a
store is so little. By planting crops for the specific purpose of producing Biomass, which will go
directly to a plant, they will be able to make a good profit.

Today, in the United States, it is estimated that several thousands of crop left overs go unused. If
this could be turned into energy it would supply a huge amount of electrical power at a very
inexpensive cost. Using Biomass Production to produce energy can revolutionize the world as it is
known today. Inexpensive electricity and automobile fuel would free millions of dollars that could
be used to purchase goods and create jobs. This is the face of the future.
12) New Fuel Biomass Renewable Energy Source

The appearance of a new source of energy has created quite an excitement throughout the world.
Although this source has been in existence for years its importance has just now been recognized.
It's the Biomass Renewable Energy Source.

This is an excellent source of energy as it appears in natural products which are prevalent
everywhere. It is in the trees, the plants, municipal waste, agriculture products and manure from
animals who consume these products, to name a few. It provides energy from within so nothing
needs to be added.

The plants receive their energy from the sun. This solar energy is combined with carbon dioxide
and a complex mixture of other organic materials to form photosynthesis. When this is all
combined it forms the natural energy. When one of these products is burned it forms the power
needed to take whatever action is necessary.

Source of this energy is demonstrated when one burns pellets, firewood, wood chips or similar
products. The heat given off displays this energy. With many industrial plants, things such as wood
wastes, bark, and others are used to produce the power needed to run their equipment. The
limitations encountered so far is the difficulty in handling and moving. Avenues are now being
explored to convert solid biomasses into liquid and gaseous fuels. This is being done by
fermentation and gasification.

Those in the know look forward to having this energy source take over a great deal of the work, in
the future years, that now requires oil, coal or gas. These fossil fuels are gradually disappearing
from the earth and it's only a matter of time until they are completely gone. This means that
something has to be on hand to take their place.

With the solar power of the sun needed, for the energy process to take place in the natural
products, it's fitting that when they are used their vapors return to that area. This creates a never
ending cycle of renewable energy which will go on as long as there is natural growth and the sun
is shining. With this energy source, there is no worry that it will become scarce.

For many years, man has been trying to find an inexpensive and viable product to produce energy.
How ironic that only in the past few years has someone thought to look at the very things that are
commonplace to find an answer. They have thought of using solar power and have adapted it with
their solar panels and other things but it took quite a while to bring the growing things of the
planet into the equation.

Biologists expected that, within a very short period of time, the Biomass Renewable Energy Source
will move to the number one place in providing energy to replace the costly sources that is in use
at this time. This energy is not only less expensive but is readily available for use. It is clean and
anyone can use it without fear of doing some damage to the atmosphere.
13) Biomass And Agriculture

Biomass fuels show more promise as a means of replacing the fossil fuels that are consumed at
such a high rate worldwide than any other means of producing energy thus far investigated.
Biomass is a very abundant resource that is completely renewable, unlike fossil fuels. Yet, many
people do not see the relationship between biomass and agriculture.

Biomass is essentially the waste matter produced by living and not long dead organisms. It can be
in the form of dead wood, fallen leaves, trimmings from a landscaping task, dung, dead carcasses,
and waste parts from animal processing plants that produce food.

Left to the wiles of nature, production of biomass can be a slow process. If one harvests a tree and
uses it as fuel to create energy, that tree can take many years to replace. Agriculture, on the other
hand, produces large amounts of biomass already that go untapped as sources of energy. Let's look
at how that works.

Farmers raise crops to produce food that feeds the entire world. Some is consumed directly by
humans and the rest is used as feed for livestock to fatten them up for the slaughter. However, we
do not use all of the plants that are grown. Often, the part of the plant that makes up the crop
being grown, for example ears of corn or beans, is harvested and the rest of the plant is left as
waste.

This wasted material is a type of raw biomass that could be processed to produce fuel pellets for
firing a furnace or generating electricity in a power plant. Some plants can be processed to create
a form of alcohol that is a powerful, clean burning substitute for petroleum.

The internal organs and other waste matter from animal processing plants and slaughter
operations is normally just treated as waste and hauled to a landfill somewhere for disposal.
These animal products can be processed to extract methane gas, which is very similar in makeup
and the amount of energy it creates when burned to natural gas.

If farmers and ranchers were compensated for these materials that are currently treated as waste
and the materials were taken to a nearby processing facility designed to produce biomass fuels
from such raw materials, the agriculture industry would begin to show a profit again and the
energy industry would have an abundant source of fuel that is renewable at all times. As it stands
now, there is no incentive for agriculture workers to attempt to salvage waste matter for any
purpose other than as fertilizer for the next crop.

The relationship between biomass and agriculture could be a very close one, with both industries
supplying each other in a mutually profitable cycle if more work were done to refine the processes
of converting raw biomass into usable fuels that yield a sufficient amount of energy. Studies are
still being done and new methods tested on a daily basis to extract as much energy as possible
from material that would otherwise simply be wasted.
14) Making The Distinction Between Biomass And Bioenergy

Alternative fuel supplies have become a hot topic in recent years. After all, the fossil fuels being
used to provide energy today are in limited supply and will eventually be exhausted. In addition,
the greenhouse gases produced by burning fossil fuels are contributing to the problem of global
warming. Biomass is being looked at seriously as an alternate fuel source. Bioenergy is the power
produced by burning biomass or biomass fuels. Many people do not understand the distinction
between biomass and bioenergy.

Biomass is the source of bioenergy. It is organic matter in the form of wood, leaves, grasses, seeds,
and all the other forms that plants and animals can take as living or recently dead organisms and
parts thereof. In many cases, it must be processed in some way to convert it to a usable fuel that is
capable of producing energy. Such forms include pellets used to fire a generator in the same way
that coal is used today, alcohol that is burned as motor fuel, and methane gas, which can be used in
much the same way as natural gas.

Bioenergy is the term used to refer to the energy, heat or electricity, that is created by burning
biofuels. In most cases, it makes up a relatively small percentage of the energy generated in
vehicles and power plants that still burn fossil fuels.

Wood chips, pellets, and biomass briquettes are blended in with coal to fire conventional electrical
generating plants. This is done because it helps to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases from
the plant.

Ethanol is added to gasoline at a ratio of ten percent by volume in most states today. Some places
are also experimenting with a mixture that is fifteen percent ethanol to eighty five percent
gasoline. Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils and animal tallow and burns in a standard diesel
engine.

Studies are underway to find more types of biomass that can be used to create fuel and more
efficient ways to convert it into that fuel. As the system is improved, automobile manufacturers,
power plants, and other industries will begin to change their energy systems over so that a higher
percentage of the energy produced comes from biomass.

The production of bioenergy is still in its infant stages at the present time. It is hoped that many of
the problems that plague the industry in terms of collecting biomass and converting it to fuel will
be worked out in short order. After all, the fossil fuels are not going to last forever, but man's need
for energy will.

Understanding the interaction of and the distinction between biomass and bioenergy is one step
toward solving many of the world's energy problems and slowing or stopping the emission of
greenhouse gases from the combustion of fossil fuels into the atmosphere. Focusing more
attention on finding ways to produce renewable energy sources is working to increase public
awareness and industry acceptance of the need to convert to biofuels for as many energy needs as
possible in as short a time as possible.

15) The Costs Of Biomass And Biofuels Compared With Fossil Fuels
As the world's supplies of fossil fuels are used up, the search for new, renewable energy sources is
on-going. At the present time, the energy source that shows the most promise is the use of
biomass and biofuels. But, how do these compare to fossil fuels in terms of costs?

In most cases, biomass feed stocks, harvested or collected wood and plant matter, grains, grasses,
etc. Must have energy applied to them to break them down into useful fuels that can be used to
create energy. In some cases, all that is needed is pressure, such as compressing wood into pellets
that can be burned in place of coal to power an electrical generator. Other times, heat must be
applied to aid in the fermentation process to produce alcohols that can be burned as fuel. In still
other cases, energy is used to reduce biomass to a gaseous form of methane, a fuel similar to
natural gas.

On a small scale, the costs of rendering the biomass into usable fuels make it unfeasible. More
energy is needed to produce the fuel than is gained by using the fuel. However, on a larger scale,
these numbers quickly reverse and biomass and biofuels become a highly feasible, renewable
source of energy.

At the present time, the cost of collecting biomass and transporting it to a centralized processing
station are higher than the costs of extracting fossil fuels from the earth. For this reason, the use of
fossil fuels will likely continue to be predominate until their supplies are nearly completely
exhausted.

However, creation of local biomass processing plants and power generation plants can eliminate
the need to have vast pipelines or to move fuels by truck or train from one place to another. If the
energy is used in the same area it is produced in, the cost of the energy decreases dramatically.

At the present time, the costs of producing biofuels in the form of alcohol or biodiesel are higher
than the costs of extracting and refining petroleum and transporting the fuels produced to where
they will be used. However, studies are being conducted on finding different sources of the
starches needed to break down into sugars and ferment to produce this alcohol. Cellulose alcohol
is being studied very heavily because using the entire plant, rather than just the grain, may be a
way to make it more economical in the long run.

Biodiesel produced from vegetable oils and animal tallow is almost identical to petroleum based
diesel fuel in terms of the amount of energy it produces and how it burns in an engine. The
emissions are much cleaner with biodiesel, but the cost is almost three times the cost of
conventional diesel fuel. The benefits of using biodiesel should outweigh the costs over time, but
in the short term, it is not seen as a feasible substitute at the present time.

Understanding the costs of biomass and biofuels is one key to unlocking their potential for use as
replacements for fossil fuels. Work is on-going in an attempt to make production of biofuels more
efficient and more cost effective.

16) The Relationship Between Biomass And Carbon

Carbon is the basis of all life as we know it. It combines with other elements, such as hydrogen,
oxygen, and nitrogen in differing amounts to produce the organic molecules that make up all living
things. When plants and animals die, that carbon is reabsorbed into the ground or released into
the air where it is reused by living plants to produce food. Here, we will take a look at the
relationship between biomass and carbon.

Some carbon that is stored in the ground is taken up by the roots of plants along with what they
take out of the air for photosynthesis. However, some carbon remains trapped in the ground in the
form of organic molecules that lie dormant for periods up to millions of years in length. Examples
of this include coal, petroleum, and natural gas, all hydrocarbons that are used as fuel.

When these fossil fuels are burned as fuel, their carbon is released into the atmosphere in the
form of carbon dioxide gas. This, along with other gases are accumulating in the atmosphere and
leading to climatic changes because the carbon in fossil fuels has been out of the cycle for so long.

Biomass is being studied extensively as a potential replacement for fossil fuels. It has several
advantages, being completely sustainable and renewable topping the list. Biomass is composed of
waste material from plants and animals, and contains a lot of carbon. However, this carbon is still a
part of the carbon system that works in the Earth. This means that proper use of biomass to
produce energy instead of fossil fuels could lead to a net increase of zero in the carbon that is
released into the atmosphere.

There are different ways to make use of the carbon found in biomass. Some can be converted to
liquid fuels in the form of alcohols. Some can be captured in the form of methane gas, a
combustible gas that contains approximately the same amount of energy as natural gas.

Still more can be captured in dry form by simply burning wood or grasses. In most cases, this
plant material is compressed under a great deal of pressure to maximize the amount of energy per
cubic foot.

The different types of biomass are being studied to determine what crops would be most
beneficial for producing sustainable energy reserves in any given area. Forests, grasses, grains,
and more are the subjects of these studies. The goal is to develop a completely sustainable system
that displaces the use of fossil fuels by adding the use of biomass that can be replaced at the same
rate it is used and that takes up carbon from the air as quickly as it is released.

Understanding the relationship between biomass and carbon is the first step toward developing a
system of sustainable energy production using completely renewable resources. It is also a way to
minimize the effects of man's activities on the global climate and to stop global warming through
the build-up of greenhouse gases.
17) The Benefits Of Biomass To Liquid Fuel

Everyone is now aware of the dangers of global warming and how it affects our planet, but the
question on most people's mind is what can we do about it? Well, one of the most polluting parts
of our earth is energy production through fossil fuels. But we can't just stop producing energy,
since we need it for our technology and to power our homes. The good thing is that we have found
a way to have renewable energy that does not pollute the environment in the form of biomass to
liquid fuel.

Biomass is basically the agricultural and industrial waste that we normally throw away which we
can use to create energy. Usually these come in the form of plants and animal waste. It is
renewable since we can always grow more crops and there will always be waste from production
to use as biomass fuel.

Biomass fuel can be used to heat up buildings in the winter and fireplaces as well. Also, you can
use biomass to boil water and produce steam to turn turbines and produce electricity to homes.
Another thing you can do is to turn it into liquid fuel.

The two liquid fuels that biomass can be turned into are ethanol and biodiesel. Ethane is created
by fermenting biomass in carbohydrates like corn for a long time. It can be used as an addition to
your gas to help stop your car from emitting harmful gases.

Biodiesel can be made from vegetable oils and used animal fat to create gas that can be used to
power cars and other vehicles. It is a great substitute to fossil fuels since it does not produce any
harmful gases and it is renewable.

There are different types of biomass, depending on different factors. One type is energy crops
which are usually the best way to make biomass. These are crops which can be grown very easily
and in large quantities. Weeds and plants which are easily grown in a certain region would be best
for energy crops for use in biomass.

The different kinds of waste used in biomass. For example, when lumber is used to create
furniture, the excess wood can be used to create biomass. Also, garbage that is thrown away by
cities can be used for biomass. Crop residue from harvests can be used to create biomass instead
of being left to decompose. Biomass is all around us, and all we need to do is make the most of it.
Converting the biomass around us into biomass fuel will definitely help make the world a better
place by replacing the need for fossil fuels. This way, we can keep our world healthy without
having to give up our energy needs. Though, this is no excuse for not saving energy. Waste not,
want not.

So by using biomass to liquid fuels and other forms of biomass fuel, we can help the earth in our
own little ways. Soon, if we can find renewable energy to completely eradicate the need for fossil
fuels then we will be one step closer to a clean earth.
18) The Importance Of Converting Biomass To Energy

Since the 1970's the scientific community has been interested in Converting Biomass To Energy. In
the beginning, there was not much interest as the world was getting along fine with fossil fuel.
Interest lagged for quite some time, even when the government decided to finance research in
2000. In spite of the money, time and interest involved the projects were more or less abandoned.

Everything on earth, mechanical or living requires energy to make it operate smoothly. This
inspired scientists throughout the world to go to work on developing biomass to a point where it
could produce energy that would fulfill any requirements that required power. A World Treaty
Association as well as the United Nations have all addressed this issue. They have even sanctioned
some nations to reduce the amount of fossil fuel emissions being sent into the atmosphere.

There were many starts and stops along the way in developing the potentials of biomass. It was
realized for years that, scientifically, the process of solar energy in plant products was taking
place. However, people did not really take the idea of using this energy constructively until studies
were advanced regarding fossil fuels.

It was found that fossil fuels were not only becoming more and more scarce but that the demand
of industry and consumers was increasing at a rapid rate. In addition, the widespread fear of a
'greenhouse' effect on the earth, by the emissions of these fuels, brought the realization that
something had to be done. The people concerned in the study then faced the question of how to do
this.

The fact that wood and its by-products produced heat and was used to create some electricity as
well as operate machinery was common knowledge. Wood or wood products powered many
boilers used in manufacturing. Some companies were using co-firing, combining wood with a
fossil product.

Converting biomass to energy is a complicated process. Because of the structure of the organic
plants, it requires certain enzymes and other products for this process. It has been found that this
is a long and lengthy procedure as well as being very expensive. Breaking down the cellulose and
semi-cellulose molecules of wood, for example, into smaller, more workable components has
proved difficult. While it can produce energy by burning, it must be broken down if it is to be
converted into liquid or fuel. At the present time there has been no way to make the conversion, in
large amounts, in an economical manner. Some experimental units have been developed but they
have proved quite costly to be practical.

However, it is reported that there has been some progress. At the present time the United States
uses biogas for electricity and last year produced several billion kilowatt-hours or about 1.2
percent of the nation's total. Approximately four billion gallons of ethanol was also produced and
is used, combined with gasoline, in cars. Many users who are successful in their efforts to produce
energy products have digesters on site, which do the conversion. An example of this is in waste
disposal plants who are able to produce gas for other uses.

With the many scientists, throughout the world, working on this problem it is hoped that
Converting Biomass To Energy on a large scale is not too far in the future. Once a conversion
process is developed that is inexpensive it is believed that this will take over all necessary energy
needs in the future.
19) Biomass And Methane

There are many different forms of energy that we can make use of nowadays, especially with more
and more renewable forms of energy being researched into. Many people want to find ways to
switch from fossil fuel energy to renewable forms of energy so that we can reduce the amount of
pollution that we put into the air and the land. Some of the most popular forms of energy are
biomass and methane energy.

Biomass is a renewable energy because it is made up of materials from plants and animals. The
energy from biomass comes from the energy of the sun that the plants get through
photosynthesis. The energy of the plants gets transferred to animals when they are eaten. The
animal's waste can also be used as biomass.

Biomass is a great way to create energy since it can be burned to create heat, or turned into
different fuels. Biomass can be turned into bioethanol and biodiesel. Bioethanol can be created
when biomass is fermented in carbohydrates which turn it into ethanol alcohol. It can be mixed
with car fuel to lessen the amount of harmful gases that are emitted from the car. Biodiesel can be
created from vegetable oils and animal fats and can be turned into fuel which can be used for cars.
We have been using biomass ever since we found out about fire. Burning wood is a way of using
biomass for heat and cooking food. Nowadays, people are finding better ways to make use of
biomass in a cleaner way. Also, using biomass to make liquid and gas fuels makes it easier for it to
be transported.

There are even energy crops which are grown specifically to create biofuels. They are great since
they can not only be used for energy, but they can also be used for habitats for wild animals.
When biomass is burned, it creates carbon dioxide and methane gas. Carbon dioxide is used for
the environment, as it is cycled and other plants can use it. Also, methane gas can be used to create
electricity. Methane can be used to burn as fuel and create heat. This can be used to turn turbines
or create steam to make electricity. Burning methane doesn't create a lot of carbon dioxide, so it
does not add to the amount of pollution in the earth.

Methane gas can also be used for heating homes and for cooking as well. It is used widely in
different areas and has many uses. Since it is also a product of burning biomass, it can be recycled
and utilized to its full capacity.

Also, methane can be found in compressed natural gas and then used as fuels for vehicles. It is
more environmentally friendly than other gases which are made from fossil fuels, since it does not
emit as much carbon dioxide and other harmful gases.

So these two forms of renewable energy, biomass and methane, can be harnessed in order to
create a better way of harnessing energy and using it for our needs while keeping our earth clean.
20) Biomass And Climate Change

Global warming is a topic that draws a great deal of debate. With so many global economies
relying on the energy from fossil fuels, nobody wants to admit that their continued use is adding to
the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which is leading to
major climate change around the world. Studies are on-going into the effects of replacing fossil
fuels with biomass and climate change.

At first glance, it would appear that using biomass to create fuels that would replace fossil fuels
would lead to just as much carbon dioxide being put into the atmosphere as the burning of coal,
petroleum, and natural gas. This would be true if the biomass used to create the fuels was not
replaced as quickly as it is harvested.

Plant growth removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and transforms it into food for the
plants during the process of photosynthesis. Certain fast growing crops, a relative term depending
on the type of crop, can be planted to replace a harvest and be ready for harvest again at about the
same time that the fuel produced from the first harvest is exhausted.

If proper management is used and available land is put to use producing sustainable biomass
plant forms, predictions and trends show that replacing fossil fuels with biofuels would reduce the
emissions of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere and eventually a balance would be reached
where the amount released into the air and the amount taken up by plants for photosynthesis
would even out.

In other words, completely replacing the fossil fuels being used today whose carbon content has
been out of the carbon cycle for millions of years and is now being pumped back into the
atmosphere, would yield a balance in the carbon cycle that would stop adding greenhouse gases to
the atmosphere and would slow or stop global warming.

Biomass has the potential to stop the climate change that is taking place as a result of man's
activities. However, the road to completely replacing fossil fuels with biofuels is a long and rocky
one. Other activities such as deforestation are also contributing to climate change. In order to halt
it completely, Man must manage the use of land and the production of biomass more efficiently
and work things in a sustainable fashion.

One major advantage that biomass has over fossil fuels is that it is a completely renewable
resource. If more waste material from other industries, such as paper mills and meat packing
plants, is collected and converted to biofuel, the process of reducing dependence on fossil fuels
can be begun.

When it comes to a study of biomass and climate change, the jury is still out on just how much
effect using biomass to generate power will have on reducing the carbon output of mankind's
activities. However, all the studies that have been done indicate that proper management of lands
and crops could lead to a point where there is no net carbon released into the atmosphere because
plants would take it up as quickly as it is produced.
21) Biomass And Alternative Fuel Systems

Alternative fuel systems is a fancy way to say that something uses something different than coal or
petroleum or natural gas, the fossil fuels, to produce energy. It can refer to solar energy, wind,
hydroelectric, or biomass fuels. The most important to consider over the long term is the use of
biomass and alternative fuel systems.

Biomass refers to the vast amount of waste matter that is composed of parts from living or
recently dead organisms. A dead tree, fallen leaves, animal by-products and dung are all forms of
biomass. All of these can be used to produce alternative fuels that can replace coal and other fossil
fuels for producing energy.

Boilers and furnaces that have relied on coal as fuel in the past can now burn briquettes of
compress biomass that hold as much energy as the coal that they normally require. Methane gas,
also known as swamp gas or landfill gas, can be used in place of natural gas or LP gas as a source
of heat. Cars and trucks that run on petroleum based fuels such as gas and diesel can be run using
biodiesel and alcohol that are produced from biomass.

In many cases, the conversion of boilers and engines to make use of these alternative fuels is a
relatively minor adjustment and the results are reliable sources of energy and less pollution in the
atmosphere. Some systems that rely on fossil fuels at the moment would take a major overhaul to
be able to accept these alternative fuels, but the expense of conversion would be well worth it in
the long term.

One of the biggest problems facing biomass proponents is that it is, in its raw state, not very
economical to use as a fuel and burning it poses the risk of releasing a greater amount of carbon
dioxide into the atmosphere than the carbon cycle can process in a timely manner, which could
lead to added global warming.

In order to be useful as a major source of energy, biomass must be processed in such a manner as
to convert as much as possible to either an alcohol or to methane gas. This requires the addition of
energy to the biomass, which yields a net decrease in the amount of energy that is gained from
using biomass. This dilemma is overcome by processing it in large quantities at a mass processing
plant instead of dealing with small quantities.

When compared to the fossil fuels that are being used today, biomass shows the greatest potential
for providing a replacement. There are still some issues that must be overcome before changing
completely over to biomass fuels as an alternative fuel system, but changes are being made in the
way power plants and engines are built that make it easier to accommodate biomass fuels.

Biomass and alternative fuel systems are growing in popularity as potential replacements for the
fossil fuels in use today. As a renewable resource, biomass shows a great deal of promise and has
many benefits. There are some drawbacks, but knowing them now makes all plans for using
biomass much more realistic than original thoughts on fossil fuels at the time of the industrial
revolution.
22) Biomass And Carbon Relationship

Carbon is the basis of all life as we know it. It combines with other elements, such as hydrogen,
oxygen, and nitrogen in differing amounts to produce the organic molecules that make up all living
things. When plants and animals die, that carbon is reabsorbed into the ground or released into
the air where it is reused by living plants to produce food. Here, we will take a look at the
relationship between biomass and carbon.

Some carbon that is stored in the ground is taken up by the roots of plants along with what they
take out of the air for photosynthesis. However, some carbon remains trapped in the ground in the
form of organic molecules that lie dormant for periods up to millions of years in length. Examples
of this include coal, petroleum, and natural gas, all hydrocarbons that are used as fuel.

When these fossil fuels are burned as fuel, their carbon is released into the atmosphere in the
form of carbon dioxide gas. This, along with other gases are accumulating in the atmosphere and
leading to climatic changes because the carbon in fossil fuels has been out of the cycle for so long.

Biomass is being studied extensively as a potential replacement for fossil fuels. It has several
advantages, being completely sustainable and renewable topping the list. Biomass is composed of
waste material from plants and animals, and contains a lot of carbon. However, this carbon is still a
part of the carbon system that works in the Earth. This means that proper use of biomass to
produce energy instead of fossil fuels could lead to a net increase of zero in the carbon that is
released into the atmosphere.

There are different ways to make use of the carbon found in biomass. Some can be converted to
liquid fuels in the form of alcohols. Some can be captured in the form of methane gas, a
combustible gas that contains approximately the same amount of energy as natural gas.

Still more can be captured in dry form by simply burning wood or grasses. In most cases, this
plant material is compressed under a great deal of pressure to maximize the amount of energy per
cubic foot.

The different types of biomass are being studied to determine what crops would be most
beneficial for producing sustainable energy reserves in any given area. Forests, grasses, grains,
and more are the subjects of these studies. The goal is to develop a completely sustainable system
that displaces the use of fossil fuels by adding the use of biomass that can be replaced at the same
rate it is used and that takes up carbon from the air as quickly as it is released.

Understanding the relationship between biomass and carbon is the first step toward developing a
system of sustainable energy production using completely renewable resources. It is also a way to
minimize the effects of man's activities on the global climate and to stop global warming through
the build-up of greenhouse gases.
23) Biomass Alternative Energy

For years people have worried about the decreasing amount of fossil fuels on the planet. These
fuels, when they are gone, cannot be replaced. As a result several different alternatives have been
approached. One of these, which are proving very encouraging, is Biomass Alternative Energy.

This is a natural product and does not harm the environment when used. At the present time it is
used in many countries of the world and has benefited many people. The United States is using
this to produce electricity and many companies are using it to produce energy to operate some of
their machinery.

Biomass is produced by absorbing solar rays from the sun and, by photosynthesis, combines it
with carbon dioxide to produce solar energy. It's found in all kinds or organic products such as
trees, plants and other natural growth. It's also found in such things as manure from cattle, hogs
and poultry as well as agricultural crops. When animals consume the Biomass it is passed on by
way of their waste.

This is a natural energy, which can be harnessed to produce a tremendous amount of power. It's
already being used for electricity and many other things. A good example of this is in the use of
wood pellets, firewood, wood waste, bark and other natural products in the home as well as in
many industries. It is a material that does not go directly into consumer foods or products but is
used for fuel, power and heat.

For many years, people have used this energy without actually realizing that they were using a
combination of the sun and natural growth. Only in the past few years has it been labeled Biomass
and that the amount of energy possible has been recognized. This is being recognized, more and
more, by those who are concerned with the depletion of the earth's resources as the answer to the
problem.

The use of Biomass as an alternative energy has already been put to use in many places
throughout the world. As fossil fuels gradually disappear it will be the power source that takes
their place. The millions of years it has taken to form those fuels and the way they are being
consumed it will not be long until they are no more. The beauty of this fuel is that it re-cycles itself.
As it is burned the solar energy within its mass returns to the atmosphere. The result is then sent
back to the earth with new solar rays and the process begins again.

Municipal wastes are just now coming to the fore as a source of Biomass. For many years this
waste has simply been buried in the ground. Now, via re-cycling, it has been possible to pull usable
materials to create this energy. Ethanol and methane are two products that are produced from this
waste.

When Biomass is burned, it does release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. However, this is
considered neutral carbon dioxide and will not affect climate change. Biomass Alternative Energy
is definitely a step into the future, both as a continuous source of energy but one that will not
cause harm to the environment.
WORKING FRAMEWORK
A) Legal

B) Stakeholders
Promoters
This entity will be promoted by

i) Government

ii) SCF

iii) Nett Energy

One of the government department will become representative department for matters
concerning entity.

C) Responsibilities of each Stakeholder

a) Government : Land Allocation

b) SCF : Technology and Operations

c) Nett Energy : Technology Assistance

TECHNOLOGY
Considering Indian geography and various kinds of Agriculture Waste available, we propose 2
technologies which can be integrated in this project.

a) Biomass to Diesel

b) Biomass to Bio Oil

Both technologies has sound backup of technocrats and economical in operation.

a) BIOMASS TO DIESEL
Looking at huge Biomass available in Indian subcontinent, the conversion to Renewable diesel will
be boon to Agriculture Sector.
We propose 2 aspects as a part of demonstration in this project.

b) Biomass Plantation Demo (25 Acres)

Further research in energy crop improvement resulted into increase in production of
biomass for solid fuel production. It also provided solutions for production of
compacted solid fuels from organic biomass as well as waste of energy crops. SHIRKE
ENERGY provides Turnkey solution of Energy farming, conversion of biomass into solid
and gaseous fuel and retrofits for fuel utilization

Bio-energy based energy solutions can be provided through farming of Napier grass,
which is developed as energy crop by SHIRKE ENERGY through improved cultivation
practices. Napier grass has higher potential of biomass production which can be used as
biomass for number of applications and unifuel as alternate source of energy. It gives
higher biomass yield, can be converted into solid, liquid or gasses fuel and also used as
fodder crop.

The Napier has following advantages

• Resistive to fungal attacks

• Suitable for Large scale farming
• One time planting last for min. 10 years
• Low on maintenance & water requirement
• Can assure farmer with Fixed Annual Return
 1. Napier Grass Varieties

In India, lot of research work has been done on the Napier grass in order to develop good
promising and high yielding varieties as given below;

 CO-1, CO- 2, CO-3, KKM-1: by Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore Phule
Yeshwant (RBN-9), Phule Jaywant (RBN-130): by Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth,
Rahuri
 Hybrid Napier-3 (Swetika): by Indian Grass and Forage Research Institute, Zhansi
PBN-83, NB-21, NB-37, PBN-233: by Punjab Agriculture University, Ludhiana, Panjab
Suguna & Supriya: by Kerala Agriculture University, Thrissur
 Napier giant: by Indian Agriculture Research Institute, New Delhi NB-13: by Baif
Development Research Foundation, Pune

2. GENERAL CULTIVATION PRACTICES OF NAPIER GRASS

2.1Climate Requirement

For optimal growth, temperature ranges between 25 to 40 o C. Its growth cease when
temperature falls below 15o C. It can tolerate a moderate dry season (3 to 4 months) because of its
deep root system. Napier grass requires high and well-distributed rainfall (more than 1000 mm
per annum). The tall varieties cannot withstand frost but the dwarf types (Legal, 1990).

2.2 Soil Requirement

It requires well drained soil which is medium to heavy in nature. It establishes well in clay,
sandy loam, deep or fertile loam soils. It produces higher yields in soil pH 6.5 to 8.0. It should be
free from limestone. It cannot tolerate flooding or water logging condition.

2.3 Cultivation Practices

2.3.1 Land Preparation

Conventionally, Napier grass is established in well-prepared land (Ridges and Furrows).

The field is cleaned by removing waste residues and other dry plant materials. Deep ploughing is
done, clods broken for sunlight exposure and good aeration. The land is leveled to make it suitable
for irrigation and other cultural practices.
2.3.2 Planting Material

Napier grass is propagated by vegetative parts like stem cuttings and root slips. Stem
cuttings are obtained from matured stalks of grass. Generally, each cutting has 2 to 3 buds with
well maturity. Generally, stalks below 60 days are immature. The top part of green leaves in any
mature stalk should be also avoided. The root slips of 15 to 20 cm height are usually used as
planting material. Root slip is matured stem with roots of 10-15 cm length, with or without leaves.

2.3.3 Planting Method

Ridge and furrow method (similar to sugarcane planting method) is used for planting of
grass crops. Planting distance varies according to planting density and purpose of planting. The
material is planted along the ridges in horizontal direction. Row to Row distance is the distance
between two ridges, which is about 90 cm. Plant to plant distance varies according to distance
between two buds. Usually, in higher rainfall region plant spacing is closer. Plantation of root slip
requires more labors to that of cuttings.

2.4 Irrigation Application

Water requirement of crop varies with climatic condition, soil type and growth stage of
crop and irrigation sources. Irrigation at wilting point (Vafsa condition) is best criteria of
irrigation. Traditionally, irrigation land gives higher yield than rain fed condition. Irrigation
interval should be 8 to 10 days in summer season and 10 to 12 days in winter season.

2.5 Weed Management

After planting, there is rapid growth of weed in field within one month. Weed population
must be controlled to avoid economic loss. Weeds can be controlled by manual, mechanical or
chemical method. Manual method includes removal of weeds using hand operated sickles or
weeders. Mechanical method includes operation of mechanical weeder for removal of weed.
Chemical method includes application of non-selective and selective weedicide to control weed
infestation.

2.6 Fertilizer Application

Napier grass is highly fertilizer responsive crop. It gives more response to Nitrogenous
fertilizers. Farm Yard Manure (FYM) improves the fertility of soil through increased capacity of
water holding and aeration. Dose of 8-10 ton per acre per year is recommended at the time of land
preparation. Recommended dose of chemical fertilizer is 100:30:30 kg per acre per year for
Napier grass. Fertilizer can be applied along with irrigation for better utilization and efficiency.
2.7 Earthing Up

In the high wind velocity area, the grass may fall after it reaches to 8 ft height. Earthing up
operation gives soil support to roots of the grass that prevent falling of grass. Silica application is
useful to raise the fallen grass, in some cases.

2.8 Harvesting

Napier grass grows up to 8-10 ft within three to four months after planting. At this stage,
first harvest of Napier grass is taken. Next harvests are taken within the period of three months as
KKAP, Sudan per quality of Napier grass. The quality depends on variety, ability to grow, weather
conditions, soil fertility, management practices and end use application.

2.9 Yield Data

As per data of different research institutions in India, yield of Napier grass is 120 to 130
ton fresh weight per acre per year and 15-20 ton TS per acre per year through 6-8 harvestings in a
year. Exceptionally, high yields up to 34 tons Dry Matter (i.e. total solids) per acre per year has
been cited, when high rates of fertilizers were applied (Skerman & Riveros, 1990).
 3. STANDARD OF PRACTICES (SoP) FOR CULTIVATION OF NAPIER GRASS

3.1 Climate Conditions

Napier grass is very sturdy and rigid crop that withstand any adverse climatic conditions. It
grows well in warm and humid climate. Optimum temperature range is 25 o to 30o C. In winter
season, when temperature is less than 15 o C, growth gets stunted. .Well-distributed rainfall
increases the vigour of crop, as it is highly water responsive. It lays in category of C4 pathway
plants that gives better response to bright sunlight. It is highly susceptible to frost condition.

3.2 Soil Conditions

Napier grass grows better in well-drained, fertile, coarse loam or well-textured soil that
helps to deep penetration of root. Good water holding capacity as well as neutral Soil P H provide
good environment for growth of crop. Soil should be free from the plant dead debris, weed seeds,
unwanted plant residues, polluted materials and industrial waste. Water logging condition is not
favorable for vigorous growth.

3.3 Selection of Variety

In India, Hybrid Napier is developed through crossing of Bajra and Napier grass. Various
varieties of Hybrid Napier are in use in the farmer’s field. A tall, thick and vigorous growing
Hybrid Napier grass variety is selected for cultivation purpose. It has a very high productivity of
fodder and biomass per unit area. It gives 180-200 ton fresh weight per acre per year and 30-35
ton TS per acre per year.

Image 3.1: Selection of Napier Grass for Planting Material Preparation

3.4 Cultivation Practices

3.4.1 Land Preparation

The field is cleaned by removing waste

residues and other dry plant materials. Deep
ploughing is done, clods broken for sunlight
exposure and good aeration. Manure is applied in
decided dose and mixed in the soil. Ridges and
furrows are prepared with recommended spacing
across the slope of land. The land is leveled to make
it suitable for irrigation and other cultural practices.
Image 3.2: Land Preparation
(Ridges and Furrows)

3.4.2 Planting Material Preparation

 Stem cutting or root slip is used as planting material for propagation of Napier grass.
It should be treated with fungicide for avoiding soil born diseases and pest attack. It should
be stored in moist condition.

Stem cuttings are obtained from well matured stalks of Napier grass. Well matured
Napier grass has about 10-12 ft height and 15-20 mm thick girth. Each stalk is able to give
3-4 cuttings with 2 buds.

Root slips are used for better germination rate of grass. In case, the cuttings are not
available root slips are used. Root slip is matured stem with roots of 10-15 cm length, with
or without leaves. Pre germinated root slip is good planting material from germination
point of view and good biomass yielding ability.
3.4.3 Planting Material Availability

Planting material is obtained from the farmers field. The planting material is
selected as per criteria mentioned in section 2.3.2. The details of quantity of planting
material and area of source are given below.

a. Quantity of Planting Material

Planting density 4 stem cuttings or 4 root slips per m2

Area under plantation 1 acre = 4000 m2

Planting material required

per
16000 cuttings or slips
Acre

b. Area of Source of Planting Material

1 mature stalk gives 4 cuttings with 2 buds.

1 acre area need 4000 mature stalks
Stem Cuttings
Generally, 1 m2 area has 15-20 mature stalks
Hence, area required is 200-300 m2 i.e. 2-3 guntha

In 1 m2 area, 1 mature clump produces 15-20 stalks

Root Slips Each stalk gives one root slip
Hence, area required is 800 m2 i.e. 8 guntha

# Note: Germination percentage of Napier grass is about 20%. Hence, planting

material from additional 1-2 guntha area is required for gap filling.

3.4.4 Planting Method

Napier grass is planted by ridges and furrows method. Planting can be done after an
onset of monsoon during June to September, specially, in June to July for better yield. In
winter, the germination percentage is very less, hence planting should be avoided. In
summer season, irrigation source should be assured before planting. Germination
percentage is better due to bright sunlight, provided abundant water is applied to the crop.
 1m

50 cm
50 cm

50 cm

1m 1m

Image 3.5: Sketch Showing Plant Spacing

Ridge to ridge or row to row distance is 3ft (1m). Plant to plant distance along the
row is 1.5 ft (50 cm). Cuttings or slips are planted on midway of slope at both sides of each
ridge in zigzag manner. Effectively, any 1m 2 area includes 4 cuttings or slips (1:4). The
planting method is shown in Image no.3.5. Cuttings are planted vertically such that lower
bud is just below (about 2-3 cm) soil surface. Care should be taken to keep the direction of
cutting upright. Root slips are planted vertically such that roots are covered completely
with soil.

Image 3.6: Napier Planting of Cutting in Ridges and Furrows

 Separate nursery of calculated area is prepared with plant to plant distance of 4”,
which is required for gap filling.

Image 3.7: Nursery Preparation for Gap

Filling 3.5 Irrigation Application

Irrigation at wilting point (Vafsa condition) is best criteria for irrigation. Rain gun
sprinkler system is ideal for large area during growing time of Napier grass. Depend upon
the budget of project; irrigation is done using flood method. In hot summer, irrigation
interval should be less than 4 to 6 days. For any other time, 8 to 10 days interval is
permissible.

Image 3.8: Irrigation by Rain Gun Sprinkler

System 3.6 Weed Management

After planting, there is rapid growth of weed in field within one month. Weed
population must be controlled to avoid economic loss. Weeds can be controlled by manual,
mechanical or chemical method.

Manual method includes removal of weeds using hand operated sickles or weeders.
Mechanical method includes operation of mechanical weeder for removal of weed.
Chemical method includes application of selective and non-selective chemicals to control
infestation of weeds. Glyphosate is used as non-selective herbicide at the concentration of 2
gm per lit of water. 2-4, D is used as selective herbicide at the concentration of 1 ml per lit of
water.
 Image 3.9: Weeding by Mechanical
Method 3.7 Fertilizers Application

Napier grass is highly fertilizer responsive crop. It gives more response to

Nitrogenous fertilizers. FYM should be about 20 to 25 tons per acre per year at the time of
land preparation, provided it is available in abundant quantity. Compost or Green manure is
another possible option for improvement of soil fertility.

Image 3.10: Application of Fertilizer in Napier Field

Recommended dose of chemical fertilizer is 250:100:100 i.e. Nitrogen 250 kg,

Phosphate 100 kg, and Potassium 100 kg per acre. Minor nutrients are applied such as zinc
sulphate 10 kg; ferrous sulphate 10 kg and Nimboni extract 4 kg per acre per year, added
after soil testing in standing crop. After each harvest N, P and K should be applied as per
recommended dose.
3.8 Earthing Up
 In the high wind velocity area, the
grass may fall after reaching 8 ft height.
Earthing up is required to give support to
the roots of Napier grass by soil. Silica
application helps to raise fallen stalks
again & prevent the reduction in yield.
Ultrasil is used as a source of Silica.
Image 3.11: Falling of Napier
3.9 Harvesting Grass due to High Wind
Velocity
 First harvesting of Napier grass is done at 120 days after planting. The grass should
cut not more than 10 to 15 cm above ground level. It enhances the sprouting for further
growth. Next harvestings depends upon the application of the grass. For forage use, it
should be cut at about 60 days. For energy use, it should be cut within 100-120 days. For
preparation of planting material, it should be cut after 120 days.

Image 3.12: Harvesting by Manual Method

To get maximum total solids, irrigation should be stopped four days before
harvesting. The harvesting can be done by manual or mechanical method. In manual
method, sugarcane harvester (koyata) is used by labours. In mechanical method, portable
harvester or tractor drawn harvester is used depending upon the volume of harvesting.
 Image 3.13: Harvesting by Mechanical Method

3.10 Yield

Recommended standard of practices (SoP) assures the yield of Napier grass up to

200 ton fresh weight per acre per year or 40 ton total solids per acre per year. Three
harvestings of 120 days in a year are recommended for energy utilization of Napier grass.

Image 3.14: Napier Grass as Biomass

c) BIOMASS TO RENEWABLE DIESEL

This process is called catalytic conversion of biomass to liquid fuel -

BTL. Now this process is being commercialized worldwide.

Diesel produced by BTL process is called RENEWABLE DIESEL, which

is much more superior to first generation BIODIESEL. Properties of
renewable diesel are similar to petroleum diesel and hence it is
100% substitute to petroleum diesel.

Further, all types of biomass including plastic waste, vegetable oil

waste etc. can be converted to RENEWABLE DIESEL, whereas
BIODIESEL requires highly refined vegetable oil as feed stock.
Following chart shows approximate yield of RENEWABLE DIESEL
from various feed stock per MT. Note- Feed stock is free from
moisture.

1] SUGAR CANE WASTE 320 liter

2] BAGGASE 180 liter

3] OTHER POST HARVEST WASTAGE 290 liter

4] ACID OIL 880 liter

5] TALLOW / VEG OIL 960 liter

6] PLASTIC WASTE 770 liter

Typical Yield
 d) Biomass to Bio Oil
We use Pyroflash technology, in our Biomass to Bio Oil plant. In this, the
Biomass heating at high temperature followed by immediate cooling
results in liquid production. The derived liquid also called as Bio Oil.
With help of Netherland based Nettenergy’s Pyroflash technology
effective use of Biomass to oil is possible.

We propose Mobile demonstration plant of capacity 2 tons per day of

Biomass. This will use Pyrolysis process to produce various products
like Wood gas (40%), Wood Acid (25%), Dry Oil (20%), Wet Oil (5%)
and Biochar (10%). This is in ratio with Biomass.

An overview of reported chemical components is shown in below table

Number Component CAS number

1 Acetaldehyde 75-07-0
2 Acetone 67-64-1
3 Acetic acid methyl ester 79-20-9
4 Methylalcohol 67-56-1
5 2,3 Butanedione 431-03-8
6 2-Propanone, 1-hydroxy 116-09-6
7 2-Cyclopenten-1-one 930-30-3
8 2-Cyclopenten-1-one, 2-methyl 1120-73-6
9 Butanoic acid, 2-oxo- 600-18-0
10 Furfural 98-01-1
11 Propanoic acid 79-09-4
12 2-Furancarboxaldehyde,5-methyl- 620-02-0
13 Butanoic acid 107-92-6
14 1-Penten-3-one, 2-methyl- 25044-01-3
15 Cyclooctane 292-64-8
16 Phenol, 2-methoxy- 90-05-1
17 Phenol, 2-methoxy-4-methyl 93-51-6
18 Phenol 108-95-2
19 Ethanol 64-17-5
20 2-Propenal 107-02-8
21 Cyclopentane 287-92-3
22 Propanol 71-23-8
23 2-Butanone 78-93-3
24 2-Methylfuran 534-22-5
25 Hexane 73513-42-5
26 Acetic acid 64-19-7
27 Benzene 71-43-2
28 1-Butanol 71-36-3
29 2-Propanol 67-63-0
30 2-Pentanone 107-87-9
31 Pentanal 110-62-3
32 2-Ethylfuran 3208-16-0
33 2,5-Dimethylfuran 625-86-5
34 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane 540-84-1
35 Methylcyclohexane 108-87-2
36 Cyclohexane 110-82-7
37 Propane-1,2-diol 57-55-6
38 Pentanol 71-41-0
39 Cyclopentanone 120-92-3
40 1,2-Benzenediol 120-80-9
41 3-Methylcyclopentanone 6672-30-6
42 2-Furan methanol 98-00-0
43 1,4-Dimethylbenzene 106-42-3
44 Hexanol 111-27-3
45 Cyclohexanone 108-94-1
46 Benzaldehyde 100-52-7
47 3-Methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one 2758-18-1
48 Mesitylene 108-67-8
49 Decane 124-18-5
50 Phenylmethanol 100-51-6
51 Methyl phenyl ketone 98-86-2
52 Nonanol 143-08-8
53 1-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzene 150-19-6
54 3-Methoxy-1,2-benzenediol 934-00-9
 55 2,3,5-Trimethylphenol 697-82-5
56 2,6-Dimethoxyphenol 91-10-1
57 Methoxy-4-hydroxy-1-allylbenzene 97-53-0
58 2,6-Diisopropylphenol 2078-54-8
59 2-Methoxy-4-propenylphenol 97-54-1
60 1,6-Anhydro-beta-D-glucopyranose 498-07-7
61 3,5-Dimethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde 134-96-3

Output
Here is the list of products as output and its applications

 WOOD GAS (40%)

Woodgas from the Pyroflash or PyroGasifier process is directly available as product.

It is not used for heating the process. Using a gas generator it can be transferred into
electricity. There is enough woodgas to support the installation electricity demand.

Woodgas is rich in hydrogen (10%) en burns with a colorless flame.

 WOOD ACID / WOOD VINEGAR (25%)

Wood vinegar or pyroligneous acid is the water fraction that is produced during the
PyroFlash process.

Raw wood vinegar is a liquid with a red brown colour. The main components is
water that originates from the biomass itself and from the chemicals reactions in the
reactor. The fraction is rich in carbonic acids and also contains some residual tar.

Wood vinegar contains roughly 20% organic components of which the most
dominant are: acetic acic, furfural, propanoic acid and methoxyphenols.

 PYROLYSIS OIL

The Pyroflash technology is unique in the simultaneous production of several

qualities of pyrolysis oil.

Normally we distinguish between two qualities of Pyrolysis oil: Dry oil and wet oil.
The Dry oil has a HHV of 24 MJ/kg and the Wet oil has a HHV of 17 MJ/kg.

The wet Pyrolysis oil is liquid at room temperature, whereas the dry Pyrolysis oil is
solid at room temperature.

 BIOCHAR (10%)
 During the pyrolysis of the biomass a part is converted to Biochar. By using the
Pyroflash or the PyroGasifier technology roughly 10% of the biomass is converted to
this product. This product can directly be used as an end product.

The Biochar can also be further processed into powder or pellets.

EQUIPMENT
Plant Configuration
 Biomass to Diesel Plant

Unique Features of Plant

 No Effluent:
The mentioned integrated Modern technology plant do not
produce any effluent as waste

 Biomass to Bio Oil Plant

Unique Features of Plant
 Multiple Products Simultaneously

The pyrolysis technique is ideally suited to produce multiple products.

The PyroFlash technology makes best uses of this characteristic. It can
produce several oil fractions directly from the biomass in its separation
section.

 Compact Design

One of the design criteria for this technology was that it need, little
ground space and little height. This was essential, for mobile plants
building.

This mobile plant can locally convert biomass into products. The fast
start-up and easy operation makes the use at multiple locations in a
short span of time possible.

I. Project Deliverables
 II. Project Schedule

III. Inclusions / Exclusions

FINANCE CALCULATIONS
1) Biomass to Diesel

Biomass to Diesel Project cost

Stage 1 Plant Capacity 100 Tons / Day

30,000 Tons / Year

Equipment
Rate/Unit
Quantity CAPEX Lacs Basis
(INR)

Diesel Plant Cost 1 700,000,000 7000.00

Infrastructure 1 50,000,000 500.00

Total 7500.00

Services
Cost Per Cost Per
Level Salary
Month Year
IN INR IN INR

Project Manager 1 30000 30000 360,000

Operation 4 10000 40000 480,000

Maintenance 2 15000 30000 360,000

Assistants

Accounts 1 8000 8000 96,000

Project 3 6000 18,000 216,000

Drivers 1 6000 6000 72,000

132,000 1,584,000
Cost in Lacs 1.32 15.84

Detail Schedule Amount Rs. INR Lacs

Equipment A 7500.00

Office expenses 3.00

Equip Transport 2.00

Site Installation 5.00

Comissioning
Exp. 1.00
Solid Fuel for
boiler 30.00

7541.00
SIMPLE WORKING FOR INVESTOR

Fig INR Lacs

CAPEX REALIZATION

Land (50 Acre) - Sales realized PA 3,735 A

Investment 7541.00 Opex Cost 1,637 B

TOTAL CAPEX 7541.00 Surplus PA 2,098 A-B

Repayment Yrs 3.6

Soil
Biomass Diesel Biodiesel Total
Efficiency Conditioner
Year Handling Production Revenue in Revenue in
in % Revenue in
Tons in kl Lacs Lacs
Lacs
1 90 27000 6750 3037.5 324.00 3361.50
2 100 30000 7500 3375 360.00 3735.00
3 100 30000 7500 3375 360.00 3735.00
4 100 30000 7500 3375 360.00 3735.00
 5 100 30000 7500 3375 360.00 3735.00
6 100 30000 7500 3375 360.00 3735.00

22,037

OVERVIEW

BIOMASS 100 Tons/ Day

Tons Per
BIOMASS 30,000 Year

Tons Per
Catalyst 200 Year
Tons Per
Acivator 100 Year

No Of diesel Plants 1
Diesel Plant Cost 700,000,000 INR

Total Investment for Plants 7,000 Lacs

Other Investment 541 Lacs

Total Investment 7541 Lacs

Investment Returns in
Years 3.6

INPUT

Per Year
(in Tons) Lacs
BIOMASS 30,000
BIOMASS COST PER TON 5,000
Subtotal 150,000,000 1500 A

Biomass Plantation Cost Per Acre 20,000

Total Plantation Cost@25 Acre 200,000 2 B

Catalyst 200
Catalyst Cost 25,000
 Subtotal 5,000,000 50 C
Activator 100
Activator Cost 85000
Subtotal 8,500,000 85 D

Total 163,700,000 1637 A+B+C

OUTPUT

Per Year Lacs

Diesel (in kiloliter) 7,500
Diesel Rate/kl 45,000
Subtotal 337,500,000 3375
Soil Conditioner in Tons 12,000
Soil Conditioner Rates 3,000
Subtotal 36,000,000 360

Total 373,500,000 3735

PROFIT

Per Year Lacs

OUTPUT 373,500,000
INPUT 163,700,000
PROFIT 209,800,000 2098

2) Biomass to Bio Oil

Biomass to Bio Oil Project

Stage 1 Plant Capacity 2 Tons / Day

600 Tons / Year

Equipment
Rate/Unit
Quantity CAPEX Lacs Basis
(INR)

Plant Cost 1 20,000,000 200.00

 Infrastructure 1 - -

Total 200.00

Services
Cost Per Cost Per
Level Salary
Month Year
IN INR IN INR

Operation 2 10,000 20,000 240,000

Drivers 1 6,000 6,000 72,000

26,000 312,000
Cost in Lacs 0.26 3.12

Detail Schedule Amount Rs. INR Lacs

Equipment A 200.00
Office expenses 2.00
Equip Transport 2.00
Comissioning
Exp. 1.00

205.00

SIMPLE WORKING FOR INVESTOR

Fig INR Lacs

CAPEX REALIZATION

Land - Sales realized PA 63 A

Investment 205.00 Opex Cost 15 B

TOTAL CAPEX 205.00 Surplus PA 48 A-B

 Repayment Yrs 4.3

Soil
Biomass Diesel Biodiesel Total
Efficiency Conditioner
Year Handling Production Revenue in Revenue in
in % Revenue in
Tons in kl Lacs Lacs
Lacs
1 90 540 270 54 2.70 56.70
2 100 600 300 60 3.00 63.00
3 100 600 300 60 3.00 63.00
4 100 600 300 60 3.00 63.00
5 100 600 300 60 3.00 63.00
6 100 600 300 60 3.00 63.00

372

OVERVIEW

BIOMASS 2 Tons/ Day

Tons Per
BIOMASS 600 Year

No Of diesel Plants 1
Diesel Plant Cost 20,000,000 INR

Total Investment for Plants 200 Lacs

Other Investment 5 Lacs

Total Investment 205 Lacs

Investment Returns in
Years 4.3

INPUT
 Per Year
(in Tons) Lacs
BIOMASS 600
BIOMASS COST PER TON 2,000
Subtotal 1,200,000 12 A

Operation Cost 300,000 3 B

Total 1,500,000 15 A+B

OUTPUT

Per Year Lacs

Bio Oil (in kiloliter) 300
Bio Oil Rate/kl 20,000
Subtotal 6,000,000 60
Biochar 60
Biochar Rates 5,000
Subtotal 300,000 3

Total 6,300,000 63

PROFIT

Per Year Lacs

OUTPUT 6,300,000
INPUT 1,500,000
PROFIT 4,800,000 48
SUMMARY
The Green India Revolution

The Green Revolution in India refers to a period of time when agriculture in

India changed to an industrial system due to the adoption of modern methods and
technology such as high yielding variety (HYV) seeds, tractors, irrigation facilities,
pesticides, fertilizers etc. Green revolution was started by Norman Borlaug. The key
leadership role played by the Indian agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan together with
many others including GS Kalkat, M.S.Swaminathan earned him the popularly used title
'Father of Green Revolution of India'.

Effect of green revolution are Increase in Production, Capitalistic farming, Rural

employment, Import of Food grains, Development of industries, Economic growth, Thinking
of farmers.

In addition to producing larger quantities of food, the green revolution was also beneficial
because it made it possible to grow more crops on roughly the same amount of land with
similar amount of efforts. This reduced production cost and also resulted in cheaper prices
of food in the market. The ability to grow more food on the same amount of land was
also beneficial to the environment because it meant that less forest or natural land needed
to be converted to farmland to produce more food.

Current Agriculture Issue:

India has lot of natural resources for Agriculture production. The percentage of Agriculture
land utilization is only 25% of total land available.

The crops which produce in India either surplus production, or not economical viable to
produce on large scale.

More production in agriculture crop results low demand of produce.

No FRP Agriculture crops this results uncertainty in Income.

Farmers are ready to produce any Agriculture product subject to fix FRP .

Opportunities:

Biomass growing is big opportunity for Indian farmer. Biomass contain herbs, shrubs, trees,
leaves, roots, grasses , algae ,sea weed, agriculture crop residues ,fruits, flowers.

The biomass can be use as energy source for industry. Biomass can be converted in
different form as per demand using gasification, fermentation, briquetting technology.

Biomass can be convert to liquid, gases, solids fuels. Renewable fuel is big opportunity for
farmers. This fuel can replace 100% conventional fuel.
Currently India crude import bill is INR 7 Lakh crore. Biomass has potential to replace
100% crude import bill. If farming percentage increase up to 50 % .this will create more
employment as well as surplus renewable energy. The surplus renewable energy India can
export & get foreign Exchange.

Biomass farming has many merits

 It can offer FRP to farmer.

 More employment opportunity.
 Clean & green fuel .
 Cutting down crude imports.
 Green fuels export leads to foreign Exchange.

Economic Advantages of Technology

Technology has deeply affected the global economy and its usage has been linked to
marketplace transformation, improved living standards and more robust international
trade.

Technological advances have significantly improved operations and lowered the cost of
doing business. Currently, as an example, just a few technicians controlling robotic systems
can operate an entire manufacturing plant, and innovative inventory systems are capable of
supplying needed parts within a short time for assembly. Advancements in the computer
industry, coupled with advancements in telecommunications, have increased job
opportunities and strengthened economic growth.

All physical barriers to communication over distances have been properly overcome by the
internet. In a similar way, manufacturing and consumer goods companies have developed
online links to their suppliers and customer support. Suppliers can keep track of
production line efficiencies through automated systems and can more efficiently ship parts
and materials to the required locations, reducing inventory and downtime. In addition to
that ecommerce and online banking capabilities have also helped reduce the cost of doing
business. The impact of technology economy in the market is very significant, infusing even
the measurement of the market economy. Some of the largest indexes known in the market,
such as the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) and the S&P 500, have changed. Tech
powerhouses like Apple, Google, and Amazon, whose stocks are valued much higher than
those of many long-time industrial members, are replacing large industrial super
companies. Apple, with its high market capitalization, accounts for such a large share of the
DJIA, for example, that any hiccup in its quarterly earnings can move the entire index,
situation that was once done by other large corporations such as GM and Caterpillar

Technology has an amazing power of permeate companies. An important measurement of

the technology economy is the observing the Worldwide IT Spending volume, which is
regarding the corporate spending for hardware, software, data centers, networks, and staff,
both internal and outsourced IT services. Currently, this volume is close to USD6 trillion per
year. To put this number on a more illustrative perspective, if we were to consider the
global technology economy a country and its yearly spending its GDP, it would be ranked as
the world’s third largest economy.
Technology spending, gross margins and economic growth have a strong relationship when
measured by productivity and GDP. A good example is that executives can predict with
some accuracy the impact on the overall economy of a decline in technology spending.
Whenever companies cut back on discretionary spending in order to improve profits during
a downturn, they slash their investments in technology. Soon afterward, GDP falls
dramatically, and, within a few years, labor productivity across the economy falls, as
technological innovation is an important component of productivity.

The drop in technology intensity that results from a decline in technology spending causes
the labor force to decrease, which shows up in productivity up to three years later because
productivity is a “stickier” measure.
THANK YOU