ABSTRACT
Biomass is a ubiquitous and readily available energy source. Biomass encompasses any renewable material sourced from a biological origin and includes anthropogenically modied material including products, by-products, residues and waste from agriculture, industry and the municipality (McKendry 2002). Solar energy is transformed and stored in plants through the process of photosynthesis:
CONTENTS
1.1 Introduction ....................................................................................................1 1.2 Current Biomass Applications and Trends ................................................3 1.3 Classication of Biomass ..............................................................................8 1.4 Quality of the Biomass Fuels ...................................................................... 11
1.4.1 Woody Biochemical Compounds .................................................. 11 1.4.2 Non-Woody Biochemical Compounds ......................................... 12
1.4.2.1 Saccharides ......................................................................... 12 1.4.2.2 Lipids .................................................................................. 14 1.4.2.3 Proteins ............................................................................... 14
1.4.3 Moisture Content ............................................................................. 16 1.4.4 Mineral Matter ................................................................................. 21 1.4.5 Elemental Composition of Organic Matter ..................................22 1.4.6 Physical Properties ..........................................................................23
