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As we strive to find new ways to create a more sustainable planet, some sources have come from unexpected places. Biomass is becoming more known in the scientific community. Mother Nature herself is providing the energy we need without sacrificing anything about her.
If flora and fauna are produced in an ecological way without damaging their natural environment, this energy can be near limitless. So long as we give back to Earth equal to what we take, this symbiotic relationship can be a way for us to live on Earth for many more years. We can explain how this source of fuel works, where it can be found, and the development of power plants.
The Main Operation
The primary purpose behind a biomass plant is the conversion of biomass into electricity. It generates power from the steam released through the combustion of plant and animal materials. Here is the step-by-step process:
- The biomass is burned within the combustion chamber, where temperatures reach levels sufficient to incinerate most organic materials. The plating in the chamber will help contain the fire so that it doesn’t release out of it.
- The heat generated from the burned matter will subsequently cause the water above to boil, transforming it into steam. This steam will then be directed through the pressure valves, which eventually work through the turbines.
- As the steam turns the turbine, this will power up the alternator. With constant turbines turning, the alternator will produce electrical currents that then run through the voltage transformer. By raising the voltage of the electricity, it can be more easily transported across power grids or lines.
- Any excess steam that is released is then refiltered back. It is condensed into water and stored in tanks. This can be used on days where little biomass is recovered to operate the facility. It can also be used for reheating the water to produce more steam.
The Best Advantages
The best example of why biomass is incredible is that it has none of the downsides of fossil fuels. No CO2 emissions and zero residual waste. If there is any leftover waste, it can simply be reused for future purposes.
The plant matter is more symbiotic due to its role in absorbing CO2 emissions. During their growth phase, they can capture what is produced from electricity production. Then when they die, they can be used for biomass plants. Recycling is the cornerstone of helping the planet. This is just the same method but turned into a whole operation.
How the Biomass Is Used
Here we have a few examples of how biomass can be used to create energy. With a multitude of uses, this is what makes this type of power plant even more advantageous. However, there are some disadvantages to some of these methods as well.
| Method | Advantage | Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|
| Raw Material Combustion | This is the most common method of using biomass. It is the process in which material is burned up to create steam that runs the machines, as was discussed earlier. The main materials used are things like leaves, wood, and soil. | The downside is that wood is the main material used in this. This can lead to deforestation, with more trees being cut down to keep the biomass coming. For the fuel to be renewable, the acquisition of this material must not be extensive. |
| Gasification | Instead of burning up waste, this method uses thermodynamics to transform solid matter into gases. This can be used in numerous ways, such as spinning turbines or creating higher temperatures for burning. | While it is more flexible, there is still the risk of carbon emissions being released. When used incorrectly, there could be even more carbon gas released that could harm the ecosystem even further. |
| Methanisation | This is a rarer method, but still viable. Organic fuel will not be burned but instead fermented. By being fermented, it can be used to create even more biomass or create methane gases. An example of methane gas being used is in cars or other vehicles. | A big risk with methanisation is the flammable nature of the gas. Without being properly cared for, this gas can prove to be very dangerous. If methane is ever burned up or released, this can produce even more carbon emissions into the atmosphere. This could accelerate global warming even further. |
So far, it is a balance that must be maintained for biomass to work effectively. Without delving deeply into the source, the supplied power can last for years. If the balance is ever shifted, it could cause irreparable damage to the world. Instead of saving the planet, we could be doing more harm than good.
Safety Procedures
Here are examples of how biomass power plants run their operations safely:
- Only trained professionals are allowed to work in biomass power plants. These are the experts who understand the science and have experience working with dangerous fuels. This will be particularly relevant for those involved in the methanation method.
- The boiler that is used to create steam from being heated will be kept in a self-contained external building. This will be set away from everything else. If any accidents were to occur from the fire risks, nothing else would get burned.
- All storage areas will need proper ventilation so that gases can be moved safely. If any leaks were to happen, this could provide multiple dangers. The gases could be flammable, so fires could easily start. Additionally, these gases may be poisonous, meaning people could suffer.
- If any fires do happen, all fire extinguishers are dry powder only. The dry powder makes it safe to use on any type of fire. This includes both flammable solids, flammable liquids, and flammable gases. All three are potential risks in a biomass plant.
- Finally, when you enter a biomass plant, there will be appropriate signs placed all over. This shows where each room is, as well as the potential hazards associated with them.
Famous Biomass Power Plants
Here is a rundown of some examples of biomass power plants. In the UK, there is the Ferrybridge Multi-Fuel facility. This is one of the most efficient biomass plants around, housing a boiler capacity of 117 thermal megawatts of power. There are actually two of them that exist. They are both named Ferrybridge Multi-fuel 1 and 2, respectively.
Both facilities were created and drafted by Hitachi Zosen INOVA. This is a corporation which specialises in finding renewable energy from waste. The Ferrybridge operation has now been running successfully for three years now. Over 300 jobs have been opened for those that run its day-to-day operations.
The largest biomass power plant in the world is the Ironbridge power plant. This plant is located in Shropshire, England and expanded outward. They have currently decommissioned some of their older plants, focusing most of their efforts on biomass production.
While both examples appear in the UK, there are power plants found all over the world. Over 10 years ago, there were just under 2,000 biomass power plants, generating 22 Gigawatts of electricity for homes. As of 2021, there have now been a record of 4,500 producing 74.6 Gigawatts. While coal power plants still outnumber them with 8,500, there is still more work to be done. Soon enough, there will be even more energy-efficient plants making up most of our power.
