Biomass Conversion to Methane

One pound of dry plant material will generate approximately 7,500 Btu when burned directly. The amount of energy available from biomass is close to the heating value of average, uncleaned coal. 

The most publicized utilization of biomass is gasohol production, an excellent example of biomass conversion to liquid fuel. Although other grains can be used, the principal crop utilized in the United States has been corn. After harvesting, the entire stalk and cobs are chopped up, ground, and mixed with water. Then, the resulting mixture is cooked to help convert the starches 

In addition to producing a liquid fuel such as ethanol, biomass can also be converted into methane. In areas where natural gas resources are scarce, biomass conversion into methane serves as an attractive process, since methane is a very conveniently usable gaseous fuel for domestic energy needs. There have been a number of processes developed for this conversion. 

Energy Information Administration (EIA) of U.S. Department of Energy, Monthly Energy Review, June 1—105 (1995). 

Basic Petroleum Data Book, American Petroleum Institute, Vol. 15, No. 1, January 1995, New York. 

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