Potential for hydrogen and methane production from biomass residues in Canada.
Canada generates approximately 1.45 x 10(8)t of residual biomass per year, containing an estimated energy value of 2.28 x 10(9)GJ, which is equivalent to about 22% of Canada's current annual energy use. Anaerobic digestion of these biomass residues using conventional technologies could generate 1.14 x 10(10)m(3)/year of CH(4) with a heating value of 4.56 x 10(8)GJ. Conversion of these residues using emerging technologies that favor the synthesis of H(2) and represses the synthesis of CH(4) could generate 1.47 x 10(10)m(3)/year renewable H(2), with a heating value of 1.89 x 10(8)GJ. While CH(4)-production results in a larger amount of energy recovery, generating H(2) from waste biomass is a renewable alternative that could fuel the hydrogen economy. Additional research to further both the technical and commercial development of microbial bio-energy from biomass is warranted.
Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada V8W 3P6. dlevin@uvic.ca
David B
DB
Levin
Heguang
H
Zhu
Michel
M
Beland
Nazim
N
Cicek
Bruce E
BE
Holbein
D018533:Biomass; D002170:Canada; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D018556:Crops, Agricultural; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008372:Manure; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism*; D012037:Refuse Disposal / Q000379:methods*; D012722:Sewage; D014934:Wood
D008372:Manure; D012722:Sewage; D006859:Hydrogen; D008697:Methane