- Definition and Types of Energy
- Myths And Misconceptions About Energy
- The Relationship Between Energy and Environment
- Climate Change and Carbon Footprint
- Greenhouse Gas Effect
- The Role of Human-Induced Greenhouse Gases and Energy Consumption
- Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
- Renewable Energy Sources and Future Perspectives
- Play and Learn
- Solar Energy Conversions
- Solar Energy Worldwide
- Solar Energy in Partner Countries
- Positive and Negative Impacts
- Technologies for Harnessing Solar Energy
- Solar thermal energy technologies and applications
- Electricity Generation Methods
- Passive Heating and Cooling of Residences with the Sun
- Concentrator solar power (CSP) systems and electricity generation
- Systems and applications that generate electricity directly from solar rays
- Photovoltaic cells and panels
- Domestic PV Systems
- Off-Grid PV Systems
- Hybrid Connected Systems
- Materials Used in PV Cells
- Play and Learn
Biomass Conversion Processes and Technologies
Different methods are applied to convert biomass into energy. These processes can be grouped into three main groups:
- Physical Operations
- Dewatering and drying: The moisture content of biomass is reduced, allowing it to be burned more efficiently
- Size reduction: By the process of grinding or shredding, biomass is broken into small pieces.
- Density increase: By pressing or pelletizing, the volume of biomass is reduced, making it easier to transport and store.
- Separation: The process of separating the different components present in the biomass is carried out.
- Thermochemical Processes
- Direct combustion: Biomass is burned directly, providing heat or electricity generation.
- Gasification: Gases such as hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO) and methane (CH₄) are obtained from high-temperature biomass.
- Pyrolysis: In a high temperature and oxygen-free environment, biomass is broken down to obtain products such as bioyal, biogas and biochar.
- Liquefaction: Biomass is converted into liquid fuels by special processes (biodiesel, bioethanol, etc.).
- Biochemical Processes
- Fermentation: Biomass containing sugar is broken down by microorganisms to produce biofuels such as bioethanol.
- Anaerobic fermentation: Biogas (methane, CO₂) is produced by the breakdown of organic wastes by microorganisms in an oxygen-free environment.
- Mechanical extraction: Physical squeezing or pressing is applied to produce biofuels from vegetable oils.