Energy from Biomass

This l:::ook comes as part of a new series on Solar Energy R+D, includlng Biomass which is carried out by the Euro:pean Community. . The commission of the European Comrmmities' Directorate General (XII) for Science, Research and Developnent is currently implementing, on a cost-sharing basis, a solar energy R+D pro; Jranune through contracts with European industry, research institutions and uni versi ties. This prcgrarrrrne includes a very strong acti vi ty on Biomass. Besides general R+D work on all aspects of Biomass growth and utilization which is reported elsewhere in this series, the Canmission is currently starting a new activity on Pilot Plants based on the use of Biomass for energy purp:Jses, and in particular on methanol prcx:luction from wood. The commission considers that the subject of methanol prcxiuction from wood offers llnp:Jrtant prospects for application wi thin the European Canmilllity and in other parts of the world, in particular some of the developing countries & The state of art in Europe In this field is still considered to be very high as a result of related work which was performed in Europe during ~vorld War II and the time before.

Methanol from wood; a review related to the proposals submitted to the Commission of the European Communities. - I Methanol from Wood. - Synthetic fuel from biomass: the AVSA dual fluid bed combustor gasifier project. - Gazéification du bois en lit fluidisé à l oxygène et sous pression en vue de produire un gaz utilisable pour la synthèse du méthanol. - Development of the oxygen donor gasifier for conversion of wood to synthesis gas for eventual production of methanol. - Synthetic fuel from wood using steam and air. - Experimental work on a fixed-bed oxygen gasifier in the view of methanol synthesis using biomass as a feedstock. - Design and construction of a pressurized wood gasifier with heat input by oxygen combustion or by electrical heating. - Proposed 20 tonnes per day biomass gasification pilot plant. - Synthesis gas obtained from biomass. - Gasification of wood in the circulating fluidized bed methanol production route. - II Algae. - Biotechnologie solaire Production et utilisation des algues. - Hydrocarbon production via cultivation of the alga botryococcus braunii. - Culture de l algue botryococcus braunii à l échelle pilote. - Fuel gas production by mariculture on land.