Page 260 - Refining Biomass Residues for Sustainable Energy and Bioproducts

230 Refining Biomass Residues for Sustainable Energy and Bioproducts

Figure 10.6 Ethanol production efficiency using sweet sorghum biomass. Various parts
of the biomass have been utilized to produce sugars and ethanol. Efficiency of the ethanol
production (experimental) has been shown in black boxes (Briand et al., 2018; Jafari et al.,
2017). HL, High loadings; ND, not determined.

10.4.2 Biogas
Biogas is produced through anaerobic digestion process wherein the decomposition
of organic matter in the presence of microorganisms and absence of air in the aque-
ous environment takes place. The high moisture content in the biomass helps in aid-
ing the anaerobic digestion process with or without any kind of pretreatment (Ward
et al., 2008). Biogas contains methane and carbon dioxide of 55% 70% and 25%
40%, respectively. The biogas also traces of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, hydrogen,
3
and water vapor. Its calorific value is 21 MJ/m and releases less pollutants to the
atmosphere, hence can be considered as an environment-friendly fuel and upon
cleaning and purification can be connected to the natural gas network line