Promit Pramanik | Updated: Aug 26, 2022 16:35 IST
Difference Between Biomass And Biogas: Biomass and biogas are very closely related to each other. Biogas is derived from biomass. Before we get to the difference between biomass and biogas, let’s have an overview of the topic. It will help us to understand the difference between biomass and biogas in a better way.
Biomass is the starting raw material for the production of biogas. The major component of both biomass and biogas is carbon. Biomass is a solid material whereas biogas is made up of different gases. Biomass and biogas are two types of biofuels The term ‘biofuel’ is derived from ‘bio’ and ‘fuel’. Bio means life. Fuel is a material that can be broken or burned to provide energy.
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In this era of climate change biomass and biogas both are gaining popularity. Both are renewable fuels. Both are used to produce heat and electricity. But there are a number of differences between biomass and biogas.
| Biomass | Biogas |
|---|---|
| Biomass is a raw material | Biogas is the end product |
| It is burnt in the presence of oxygen | It is produced in the absence of oxygen |
| Biomass is the biological matter that is derived from living organisms | It is a mixture of gases produced from organic matter |
| It is in the solid state | It is in the gaseous state |
| Sources of biomass are living organisms that died recently | Sources of biogas are organic matter |
| It is composed of biological matter | It is mainly composed of methane and carbon dioxide |
| The calorific value is low | The calorific value is high |
Get the Difference Between Biomass And Biogas PDF here.
Now let us discuss biomass and biogas individually to have a better understanding of the topic.
Biomass is the collective name for solid biofuels that are derived from living organisms. This is applicable to both animal and plant-based materials. This mainly consists of food and crop wastes, and animal manure. Also, biomass can be collected from some other resources by burning them in the presence of oxygen. Biomass can be converted into biodiesel, bioethanol, etc. So crops like sugarcane and corn starch can be produced and then fermented to produce bioethanol. Also, biomass can be burned to produce heat, electricity, or other liquid fuels.
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Like biomass, biogas is also a biofuel. It is a mixture of gases that is derived from organic matter. It is a process through which organic wastes are converted into renewable energy. Naturally, biogas is produced by the decomposition of organic matter. The sources of organic matter include animal manure, food wastes, sludge, crop wastes, etc. The breakdown of these organic matters in anaerobic conditions produces biogas. Biomass can be in a number of ways including the production of gas, heat, electricity, etc.
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Biomass and biogas both are biofuels. They come under zero carbon fuel types. So when you burn them, they give out an equal amount of CO2 that they absorbed during their lifetime. They are very crucial for the fulfillment of India’s renewable energy target.
They are very closely related to each other. Biomass is produced from biogas.
It was discovered by Danish inventor Jens Dall Bentzen
The sources are agricultural crops and waste, sewage, municipal solid waste, animal residues, such as manure and liquid manure, industrial residues, and forestry crops, like poplars and wood residues.
The major component of biomass is carbon.
17th-century chemist Jan Baptist van Helmont discovered biogas.