Energy from Biomass - AP Environmental Science
Card 1 of 30
What is a common use of biogas?
What is a common use of biogas?
Tap to reveal answer
Cooking fuel. Clean-burning gas replaces wood or fossil fuels for cooking.
Cooking fuel. Clean-burning gas replaces wood or fossil fuels for cooking.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is ethanol?
What is ethanol?
Tap to reveal answer
A type of biofuel derived from biomass. Alcohol fuel produced through fermentation of sugars.
A type of biofuel derived from biomass. Alcohol fuel produced through fermentation of sugars.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the energy content of biomass measured in?
What is the energy content of biomass measured in?
Tap to reveal answer
Megajoules (MJ). Standard unit for measuring energy content of organic materials.
Megajoules (MJ). Standard unit for measuring energy content of organic materials.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify the primary source of biomass energy.
Identify the primary source of biomass energy.
Tap to reveal answer
Plant material and animal waste. These are renewable organic sources for energy conversion.
Plant material and animal waste. These are renewable organic sources for energy conversion.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is lignocellulosic biomass?
What is lignocellulosic biomass?
Tap to reveal answer
Biomass composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Woody plant material containing complex structural compounds.
Biomass composed of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin. Woody plant material containing complex structural compounds.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the main disadvantage of biofuel production?
What is the main disadvantage of biofuel production?
Tap to reveal answer
Competes with food production. Energy crops may reduce land available for food production.
Competes with food production. Energy crops may reduce land available for food production.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the role of fermentation in ethanol production?
What is the role of fermentation in ethanol production?
Tap to reveal answer
Converts sugars into alcohol. Anaerobic biological process that produces ethanol from glucose.
Converts sugars into alcohol. Anaerobic biological process that produces ethanol from glucose.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is a common byproduct of fermentation in biofuel?
What is a common byproduct of fermentation in biofuel?
Tap to reveal answer
Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Yeast produces this gas when converting sugars to ethanol.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Yeast produces this gas when converting sugars to ethanol.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process describes biomass energy to electricity?
Which process describes biomass energy to electricity?
Tap to reveal answer
Biomass power generation. Burning biomass produces steam to drive electrical turbines.
Biomass power generation. Burning biomass produces steam to drive electrical turbines.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is pyrolysis?
What is pyrolysis?
Tap to reveal answer
Thermal decomposition of biomass in absence of oxygen. Heat breaks down biomass without burning it completely.
Thermal decomposition of biomass in absence of oxygen. Heat breaks down biomass without burning it completely.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the term for converting biomass to liquid fuels?
What is the term for converting biomass to liquid fuels?
Tap to reveal answer
Biofuel production. Process creates ethanol, biodiesel, and other liquid fuels.
Biofuel production. Process creates ethanol, biodiesel, and other liquid fuels.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is transesterification?
What is transesterification?
Tap to reveal answer
Process to produce biodiesel from oils. Chemical reaction that converts plant oils into biodiesel.
Process to produce biodiesel from oils. Chemical reaction that converts plant oils into biodiesel.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which process converts biomass into biogas?
Which process converts biomass into biogas?
Tap to reveal answer
Anaerobic digestion. Bacteria break down organic matter without oxygen present.
Anaerobic digestion. Bacteria break down organic matter without oxygen present.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify a disadvantage of biomass energy.
Identify a disadvantage of biomass energy.
Tap to reveal answer
Can lead to deforestation. Large-scale harvesting may destroy forest ecosystems.
Can lead to deforestation. Large-scale harvesting may destroy forest ecosystems.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is gasification?
What is gasification?
Tap to reveal answer
Conversion of biomass into syngas. High-temperature process converts biomass into synthesis gas.
Conversion of biomass into syngas. High-temperature process converts biomass into synthesis gas.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is biodiesel?
What is biodiesel?
Tap to reveal answer
A biofuel made from vegetable oils or animal fats. Alternative diesel fuel derived from biological sources.
A biofuel made from vegetable oils or animal fats. Alternative diesel fuel derived from biological sources.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the role of a digester in biogas production?
What is the role of a digester in biogas production?
Tap to reveal answer
Breaks down organic matter anaerobically. Enclosed system where bacteria decompose organic waste without oxygen.
Breaks down organic matter anaerobically. Enclosed system where bacteria decompose organic waste without oxygen.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is cogeneration in biomass energy?
What is cogeneration in biomass energy?
Tap to reveal answer
Simultaneous production of electricity and heat. Efficient system captures waste heat for additional energy use.
Simultaneous production of electricity and heat. Efficient system captures waste heat for additional energy use.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the primary energy conversion in photosynthesis?
What is the primary energy conversion in photosynthesis?
Tap to reveal answer
Light energy to chemical energy. Solar energy becomes chemical bonds in glucose molecules.
Light energy to chemical energy. Solar energy becomes chemical bonds in glucose molecules.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which biomass product is used for heating and cooking?
Which biomass product is used for heating and cooking?
Tap to reveal answer
Wood. Most common biomass fuel burned for thermal energy.
Wood. Most common biomass fuel burned for thermal energy.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which greenhouse gas is reduced by using biomass?
Which greenhouse gas is reduced by using biomass?
Tap to reveal answer
Methane (CH₄). Biomass prevents methane emissions from decomposing organic waste.
Methane (CH₄). Biomass prevents methane emissions from decomposing organic waste.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What does the term 'carbon neutral' mean in biomass?
What does the term 'carbon neutral' mean in biomass?
Tap to reveal answer
CO₂ released is offset by CO₂ absorbed. Growing plants absorb the same CO₂ that burning releases.
CO₂ released is offset by CO₂ absorbed. Growing plants absorb the same CO₂ that burning releases.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify a thermochemical conversion process for biomass.
Identify a thermochemical conversion process for biomass.
Tap to reveal answer
Pyrolysis. High-temperature decomposition process used for biomass conversion.
Pyrolysis. High-temperature decomposition process used for biomass conversion.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the typical yield of ethanol from one bushel of corn?
What is the typical yield of ethanol from one bushel of corn?
Tap to reveal answer
Approximately 2.8 gallons. Standard conversion rate for corn-based ethanol production.
Approximately 2.8 gallons. Standard conversion rate for corn-based ethanol production.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Name a chemical treatment in biomass conversion.
Name a chemical treatment in biomass conversion.
Tap to reveal answer
Acid hydrolysis. Chemical process that breaks down cellulose using acids.
Acid hydrolysis. Chemical process that breaks down cellulose using acids.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which feedstock is used for ethanol production?
Which feedstock is used for ethanol production?
Tap to reveal answer
Corn. Major agricultural crop used for ethanol fuel production.
Corn. Major agricultural crop used for ethanol fuel production.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Which gas is primarily released by burning biomass?
Which gas is primarily released by burning biomass?
Tap to reveal answer
Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Complete combustion of carbon-based biomass produces this gas.
Carbon dioxide (CO₂). Complete combustion of carbon-based biomass produces this gas.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify a liquid fuel derived from biomass.
Identify a liquid fuel derived from biomass.
Tap to reveal answer
Ethanol. Alcohol fuel commonly blended with gasoline for vehicles.
Ethanol. Alcohol fuel commonly blended with gasoline for vehicles.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
Identify a limitation of biomass energy.
Identify a limitation of biomass energy.
Tap to reveal answer
Requires large land areas. Energy crops compete with agriculture for available land.
Requires large land areas. Energy crops compete with agriculture for available land.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →
What is the main component of biogas?
What is the main component of biogas?
Tap to reveal answer
Methane (CH₄). Primary combustible gas produced by anaerobic digestion.
Methane (CH₄). Primary combustible gas produced by anaerobic digestion.
← Didn't Know|Knew It →