Biomass Energy Conversion: Ecological, Economic, and Social Constraints

摘要

Development of substitute energy sources in lieu of non-renewable fossil fuels was addressed. The study was based on the projection that by the turn of the century almost half of the world's oil, gas, and coal resources will be consumed. In this study, an analysis was made of biomass energy conversion and its ecological, social, economic, and energy constraints. Estimates of the total biomass in the United States that could be utilized in energy production were presented. Biomass sources considered were feed processing wastes, crop remains, animal wastes, forestry wastes, fuel-wood production, brown-kelp farming, and water hyacinth. For the analysis, two methods were examined for converting biomass into useful forms of energy--incineration and biogas production. Results indicated that use of these methods could reduce the nation's dependence upon fossil fuels by about five percent. Prime difficulties identified in the use of biomass for solar energy conversion were the (1) small percentage of light energy converted into biomass by plants; (2) low concentration of biomass per unit of land and water; and (3) high moisture content making collection and transport expensive and energy conversion inefficient. Suggestions were made to prevent harmful consequences to the environment from biomass conversion. Effects on the nation's labor force and related social problems were considered.