Conversion
Biomass may be converted into a fuel source through many different processes, primarily through thermal and biochemical conversion. The simplest way to convert this biomass to energy is to produce heat by burning it. Since the industrial revolution, biomass fired heat has produced steam power. More recently, this biomass fired steam power has been used to generate electricity. Burning biomass in conventional boilers can have numerous environmental and air-quality advantages over burning fossil fuels.
One process of conversion is known as gasification. This thermal conversion method involves cooking biomass in a low oxygen environment. The goal of the process is to produce syngas, or synthetic gas. This can then be burned directly, power turbines, or be turned into hydrogen, fertilizer, or fuel. Virtually any type of organic biomass can be used in the gasification process; leftover crops, landfill wastes, sewage, or forest waste can all be used. In the process, the biomass enters the gasifying chamber and lands on a platform. Then, air is pumped through the chamber. The resulting syngas produced exits the chamber. There are three different types of the gasification method; updraft, downdraft, and cross draft gasifiers. The syngas rises and exits through the top in updraft, through the bottom in downdraft, and through both sides in cross draft.