How are fuels made from biomass?
Energy Crops Crops that are grown specifically for biomass are called energy crops. There are two main crops grown within the UK. These are short rotation coppice (SRC) (willow (Salix) or poplar (Populus)) and energy grasses (such as Miscanthus). There is some argument about whether this is the best use of land for farmers. Energy crops are most commonly used as a supplement to coal. Gases and Liquid Fuels Gases can be extracted from waste matter placed in an airless chamber. These gases are then broken down and made into methane gas. Liquid fuels are made by combining natural oils and alcohol. This combined together ferments the matter and turns it into liquid fuels such as bio diesel. Will it be used as a wide scale alternative energy in the future? It is hard to say. To make it more renewable, the crops etc need to be growing at the same rate as what we are consuming. There are also issues about the processes used, as this alternative energy still pollutes. Currently it is used as a
