The distribution of biomass among trophic levels provides a theoretical basis for understanding energy flow and the hierarchical structure of animal communities. In the absence of energy subsidies [1], bottom-heavy trophic pyramids are expected to predominate, based on energy transfer efficiency [2] and empirical evidence from multiple ecosystems [3]. However, the predicted pyramid of biomass d...

Size reduction and densification of lignocellulosic biomass feedstock play a crucial role in the preprocessing and supply of biomass. Size reduction is an operation where the size distribution of biomass particles is adapted to a level determined by its final use. The purpose of densification is to increase the bulk and inherent energy density of the biomass feedstock, allowing optimization of ...

Renewable biomass and biomass derived fuels could readily replace fossil fuels in many of the present energy utilization applications with concomitant environmental benefits. Gasification is a form of biomass energy conversion producing a fuel that could substitute for fossil fuels in high efficiency power generation and CHP applications. While fossil fuel resources are heavily concentrated in ...

It has been shown that biomass refinery (biorefinery) with Zero Emissions perspective could convert agricultural wastes into valueadded chemicals and materials. Agricultural and plantations wastes would become as main resources for biorefinery without soil degradation and needs of additional land. Biorefinery non-farm production cycle is crucial for job generation and poverty elimination in rur...

in large regions of the world, biomass is a very important source of energy. the global bioenergy market based on forest biomass is growing rapidly. about 92 % of the bioenergy in sweden comes from forests. biomass from forests is not homogenous. the locations, transport distances, and transport methods, can differ very much and the industries that need biomass as input prefer raw materials wit...

The European Union (EU) energy policy has three targets: supply security, development of a competitive energy sector and environmental sustainability. The EU countries have issued so-called National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAP) for increased renewable energy generation. Biomass is stipulated to account for 56% of renewable energy generation by 2020, corresponding to an increase in bioe...

Executive Summary Forests are expected to have an important role in climate change mitigation under future climate change policy. Currently, much of the interest in forests centers on the opportunity to sequester carbon as part of a cap and trade policy. In addition to sequestering emitted carbon, forest resources reduce carbon emissions at the source when substituted for the fossil fuels curre...

Biomass gasification technology has been rapidly developed recently. But fire and poisoning accidents caused by gas leakage restrict the development and promotion of biomass gasification. Therefore, probabilistic safety assessment (PSA) is necessary for biomass gasification system. Subsequently, Bayesian network-bow-tie (BN-bow-tie) analysis was proposed by mapping bow-tie analysis into Bayesia...

Biomass mainly in the form of wood is the oldest form of energy used by humans. Biomass generally means a relatively dry solid of natural matter that has been specifically grown or has originated as waste or residue from handling such materials. The thermochemical conversion of biomass (pyrolysis, gasification, combustion) is one of the most promising non-nuclear forms of future energy. In the ...

With increasing energy costs, society is looking at alternative energy sources. One potential energy source that is currently underused in the United States is forest biomass (Rummer et al. 2003). However, if forests are subject to a significant increase in biomass removal for energy production, then it is possible that hydrologic resources may be adversely affected. This report describes fores...