How is biomass stored?
1 Answer
Usually, it is not stored, but used as collected. It may otherwise be stored in silos, pits, tanks or barns.
Explanation:
One advantage of “renewable” resources is that they usually require less handling, storage or processing than “fossil” fuels. “Biomass” can take a wide variety of physical forms and characteristics, from plant cuttings to animal manure to household garbage.
In many cases what might be considered “storage” - a bin or landfill, for example – are really integrated parts of the processing, whether as feedstock for burning, digestion, or decomposition. The “sizing” of any storage is based on the density and handling characteristics of the biomass and the rate of usage or consumption.
An anaerobic digester would be sized for the type and quantity of feedstock available. A fermentation process is sized for the amount of feed, processing water and enzymes or bacteria required, as well as later processing steps. A landfill is sized based on available area, collection range, type of waste desired, operating life of the landfill and the desired production timelines and quantities of produced gas.
