Page 93 - Malaysia Exporters of Biomass & Related Services Directory

BIOGAS
A mixture of methane and carbon dioxide produced by anaerobic digestion, with small
amounts of other gases. The methane is a flammable gas, chemically identical to the
main constituent of natural gas, and can be used as a fuel for heat and/or electricity
generation.
BIOMASS CONVERSION TECHNOLOGY
Three main biomass conversion technology platforms are being explored today:
thermal, biological and chemical. These are the technologies to convert biomass into
biofuels and biobased chemicals.
BIOLOGICAL CONVERSION
Biomass is treated by chemicals and enzymes to produce sugars, which are then
fermented into the desired fuels or chemicals.
BIOMASS PELLETS
Biomass pellets are short cylincal pieces produced through
compressing pulverised dry biomass. Biomass pellets
(energy pellets) are renewable, high quality, solid biofuel with
the significant properties of high energy density,
low moisture content and homogeneity in their size and
shape. Biomass pellets are also used as animal bedding.
BIOPLASTICS
Bioplastics is used to define two different kinds of plastics. One plastic product is based
on renewable resources, the focus being on the origin of the material being used. The
second product is biodegradable and compostable plastics where the focus is on the
compostability of the final product.
BIOREACTORS
A large stainless steel tank used to grow producer microorganisms in the industrial
production of enzymes and other chemicals.
BIOREFINERY
A biorefinery is a facility that integrates biomass conversion processes and equipment
to produce fuels, power and chemicals from biomass.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF BIOMASS
The percentages of various chemical components such as lignin, holocellulose,
α-cellulose, hemicellulose and ash present in several forms of oil palm biomass provide
an indication on their strength during fibre processing and chemical pulping, and on
their readiness to be converted into simpler sugars for use as chemicals or biofuels.
CHEMICAL CONVERSION
Biomass and sugars are treated using chemicals only in a variety of methods to
produce fuels or chemicals.
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GLOSSARY