Deck 10: Biomass

Question 1

The most familiar product of thermal conversion is ordinary charcoal.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

​Biodiesel may be used in conventional diesel engines without dilution or engine modification.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Fermentation is an anaerobic process in which yeast converts sugar into _____ .

A) ​carbon dioxide
B) nitrogen
C) argon
D) ​ethanol

Answer 3

D

Question 4

​Biological conversion of biomass utilizes chemicals to break down organic matter into simpler constituents.

Question 5

​_____ is a process of evaporating and condensing ethanol to separate it from its surrounding fluid and increase its concentration.

A) ​Distillation
B) ​Gasification
C) ​Thermal conversion
D) ​Pyrolysis

Question 6

_____ of dry biomass such as forest products, agricultural residue, and municipal solid waste can generate heat and electricity in much the same manner as conventional coal-fired power plants.

A) Biological conversion
B) Direct combustion
C) ​Thermal conversion
D) ​Chemical conversion

Question 7

​Biomass refers to all organic material created by the sun's energy through photosynthesis.

Question 8

​Corn stover is left on the fields after harvest because it cannot be used as a source of biomass.

Question 9

​The efficiency with which plants convert sunlight into biomass varies among species and conditions, with a maximum as high as _____ and an average closer to _____ .

A) ​6%; 1%
B) ​10%; 3%
C) 16%; 4%
D) ​26%; 10%

Question 10

​Charcoal retains _____ of the original energy of the wood, making it _____ as a fuel .

A) ​75%-80%; highly efficient
B) ​approximately 40%; adequate
C) ​approximately 60%; adequate
D) ​20%-40%; highly inefficient

Question 11

​In addition to groundwater contamination, decomposing garbage in landfills produces _____, a greenhouse gas more potent than _____ .

A) ​carbon monoxide; methane
B) ​nitrous oxide; carbon dioxide
C) ​methane; carbon dioxide
D) ​carbon dioxide; nitrous oxide

Question 12

​Which of the followings statements is true regarding dedicated energy crops?

A) ​Dedicated energy crops cull native wildlife habitat.
B) ​Dedicated energy crops improve water quality by reducing erosion and runoff.
C) ​Dedicated energy crops revitalize urban areas.
D) ​Dedicated energy crops create a domestic carbon-positive energy supply.

Question 13

Historically, the use of crop residues in high-temperature combustion chambers proved problematic due to the formation of _____, a corrosive salt deposit resulting from the vaporization of potassium and chlorine present in the crops.

A) stover
B) ​slag
C) clinker
D) ​grit

Question 14

​To minimize contamination of the bio-oil with water, the moisture content of the feedstock _____ .

A) ​must be less than 10%
B) ​must be between 10% and 15%
C) ​cannot be more than 15%
D) ​cannot be more than 25%

Question 15

​A _____ is an insulated tank made of steel or concrete heats manure to an optimal temperature for microbial digestion.

A) covered lagoon
B) ​plug flow
C) ​siphon tub
D) ​complete mix