Biomass: Potential source of useful energy

Abstract

Vegetal residues, cereal straws included, constitute the most abundant biomass of our planet. Some 1011 metric tons are produced annually in the biosphere with an energy content of 2.425 × 1018 kJ. The methods for utilizing residues of cereal crops have always been of great interest, but this interest has recently grown in Europe and the USA, due to the potential value of straws as a source of useful energy. The high cost of fossil fuels and technological progress have made possible the appearance of energy development of biomass systems that allow us to obtain energy directly or indirectly by means of combustion, pyrolysis or gasification processes. These development systems are becoming more and more efficient, reliable and clean. Due to this fact, biomass is currently being taken into account as a total or partial alternative to fossil fuels.