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Examoogle • User • info@examoogle.com • EE-2024-8821
Chapter 1 of 12 • Page 1 of 248🔒 Protected PDF • Watermarked
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The term biomass most often refers to
Inorganic matter
Organic matter
Chemicals
Ammonium compounds
Inorganic matter
Quick Summary: Biomass is biological material derived from living or recently living organisms, primarily plants and plant-derived materials. It acts as a store of chemical energy captured via photosynthesis, making it a critical source of renewable bioenergy.
Biomass is biological material derived from living or recently living organisms, primarily plants and plant-derived materials. It acts as a store of chemical energy captured via photosynthesis, making it a critical source of renewable bioenergy.
Echem=∫Photosynthetic Rate⋅dt — total energy stored in biomass
ηconv=PbiomassPout — conversion efficiency of biomass to energy
Plants convert solar energy into chemical energy through photosynthesis, storing it in the form of carbohydrates. When biomass is processed through thermochemical (combustion, gasification) or biochemical (anaerobic digestion, fermentation) pathways, this stored chemical energy is released as heat or converted into biofuels.
Biomass includes wood, agricultural residues, animal waste, and energy crops.
It is considered carbon-neutral because the CO2 released during combustion equals the amount absorbed during plant growth.
Biomass can be converted into solid (charcoal/pellets), liquid (bioethanol/biodiesel), or gaseous (biogas) fuels.
Reduces reliance on fossil fuels
Utilizes agricultural and urban organic waste
Provides dispatchable energy unlike intermittent solar/wind
Requires large land areas for dedicated energy crops
Potential competition with food production
Emits particulate matter and NOx if not managed with advanced filters
Domestic heating and cooking
Industrial power generation (Co-firing)
Transportation fuels (Bioethanol and Biodiesel)
Energy content of biomass varies significantly; woody biomass is typically around 18−20 MJ/kg.
Inorganic matter (Option A) refers to non-living mineral substances; Chemicals (Option C) is too broad; Ammonium compounds (Option D) are specific nitrogenous chemicals not representative of biomass.
B is correct — Biomass is composed primarily of organic matter derived from living or recently living biological organisms.
In competitive exams, always link biomass to 'Carbon Neutrality' and distinguish it from purely geological fossil fuels.