Energy from Biomass - AP Environmental Science

Which process describes biomass energy to electricity?

Biomass power generation. Burning biomass produces steam to drive electrical turbines.
What is the main component of biogas?

Methane (CH₄). Primary combustible gas produced by anaerobic digestion.
What is biodiesel?

A biofuel made from vegetable oils or animal fats. Alternative diesel fuel derived from biological sources.
Name a type of biomass that is a waste product.

Animal manure. Agricultural byproduct that can generate biogas energy.
What is transesterification?

Process to produce biodiesel from oils. Chemical reaction that converts plant oils into biodiesel.
Identify a liquid fuel derived from biomass.

Ethanol. Alcohol fuel commonly blended with gasoline for vehicles.
What is the main disadvantage of biofuel production?

Competes with food production. Energy crops may reduce land available for food production.
What is the energy content of biomass measured in?

Megajoules (MJ). Standard unit for measuring energy content of organic materials.
Which process uses microorganisms to decompose organic matter?

Composting. Biological breakdown of organic matter by beneficial bacteria.
Which biomass product is used for heating and cooking?

Wood. Most common biomass fuel burned for thermal energy.
Which feedstock is used for ethanol production?

Corn. Major agricultural crop used for ethanol fuel production.
Which greenhouse gas is reduced by using biomass?

Methane (CH₄). Biomass prevents methane emissions from decomposing organic waste.
Which gas is a byproduct of biomass gasification?

Hydrogen (H₂). Clean-burning gas produced alongside carbon monoxide in gasification.
What is one environmental benefit of using biomass?

Reduces waste in landfills. Converts organic waste into useful energy instead of disposal.
What is cogeneration in biomass energy?

Simultaneous production of electricity and heat. Efficient system captures waste heat for additional energy use.
What does the term 'carbon neutral' mean in biomass?

CO₂ released is offset by CO₂ absorbed. Growing plants absorb the same CO₂ that burning releases.
Identify a thermochemical conversion process for biomass.

Pyrolysis. High-temperature decomposition process used for biomass conversion.
State the main advantage of biomass energy.

It is renewable and sustainable. Unlike fossil fuels, biomass can be replenished continuously.
What is the formula for photosynthesis?

$6CO_2 + 6H_2O + light \rightarrow C_6H_{12}O_6 + 6O_2$ . Plants convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose using sunlight.
Which process converts biomass into biogas?

Anaerobic digestion. Bacteria break down organic matter without oxygen present.
What is the typical yield of ethanol from one bushel of corn?

Approximately 2.8 gallons. Standard conversion rate for corn-based ethanol production.
Identify a limitation of biomass energy.

Requires large land areas. Energy crops compete with agriculture for available land.
What is lignocellulosic biomass?

Biomass composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Woody plant material containing complex structural compounds.
What is pyrolysis?

Thermal decomposition of biomass in absence of oxygen. Heat breaks down biomass without burning it completely.
What is the primary energy conversion in photosynthesis?

Light energy to chemical energy. Solar energy becomes chemical bonds in glucose molecules.
What is biomass energy?

Energy produced from organic materials. Derived from living or recently dead organic matter.
What is the role of a digester in biogas production?

Breaks down organic matter anaerobically. Enclosed system where bacteria decompose organic waste without oxygen.
What is the term for converting biomass to liquid fuels?

Biofuel production. Process creates ethanol, biodiesel, and other liquid fuels.
What is gasification?

Conversion of biomass into syngas. High-temperature process converts biomass into synthesis gas.
Name a chemical treatment in biomass conversion.

Acid hydrolysis. Chemical process that breaks down cellulose using acids.
Identify a disadvantage of biomass energy.

Can lead to deforestation. Large-scale harvesting may destroy forest ecosystems.
What is a common byproduct of fermentation in biofuel?

Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Yeast produces this gas when converting sugars to ethanol.
What is a common use of biogas?

Cooking fuel. Clean-burning gas replaces wood or fossil fuels for cooking.
What is ethanol?

A type of biofuel derived from biomass. Alcohol fuel produced through fermentation of sugars.
Which gas is primarily released by burning biomass?

Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Complete combustion of carbon-based biomass produces this gas.
Identify the primary source of biomass energy.

Plant material and animal waste. These are renewable organic sources for energy conversion.
What is the role of fermentation in ethanol production?

Converts sugars into alcohol. Anaerobic biological process that produces ethanol from glucose.

Study these flashcards