Biomass

What is biomass energy?

• any organic matter that can be used by burning wood and other plant life.

• Radiant energy emitted by the sun.

• a combustible black or dark brown rock consisting mainly of carbonized plant matter, found mainly in underground deposits and widely used as fuel.

• made by tapping into steam or hot water reservoirs underground; the heat is used to drive an electrical generator.

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Fuelwood, charcoal, and manure provide up to ___% of energy in developing nations.

• 90

• 50

• 33

• 10

Is biomass energy a renewable energy source?

• Yes, always, because you can grow trees again.

• No, it's just like fossil fuels.

• It depends, only if the source is not overharvested.

• No, because manure is not renewable.

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What is co-generation?

• Substituting biomass for coal in a coal-fired power plant.

• Vaporizing biomass at extremely high temperatures.

• Using the extra heat from a power plant to heat a nearby business or homes.

• Fermenting grain to form alcohol.

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What is co-firing?

• Substituting biomass for some coal in a coal-fired power plant.

• Vaporizing biomass at extremely high temperatures to form a gas fuel.

• Using leftover heat from a power plant to heat nearby homes or businesses.

• Fermenting biomass to form alcohol fuel.

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What is a primary drawback to using biomass as an energy source?

• It produces more sulfur dioxide emissions than coal.

• Access to biomass is variable depending on location.

• No waste materials can be used.

• Removing the crops or trees for burning deprives the soil of nutrients used to grow them, resulting in lowered soil fertility.

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What is E-85?

• A common type of fuel at most gas stations.

• Fancy biomass fuel that costs $85 per gallon.

• A mixture of 85% gasoline and 15% ethanol.

• A mixture of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline.

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What is the primary drawback to using ethanol for fuel?

• It requires no pesticides.

• It competes for food crops, driving up prices.

• It requires little fossil fuel inputs.

• It has a higher EROI than hydropower.

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What is B-20?

• A mix of ethanol and biodiesel.

• A mix of conventional gasoline and biodiesel.

• Fuel that must always be processed in a biodiesel plant.

• The best biofuel in the Top 20 Biofuel list.

Which of these is an advantage to using algae for fuel?

• It uses only fresh water.

• It can only be grown in the ocean or a lakee.

• It can be grown in wastewater and can use CO₂ from smokestacks.

• It causes eutrophication.

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