HOT TOPICS: Biomass Rachel Ruggirello, Science Educator Paul Markovits , Science Educator

1. HOT TOPICS: BiomassRachel Ruggirello, Science EducatorPaul Markovits, Science Educator

2. Locate the best region(s) for each type of renewable energy. NREL Map of Infrastructure and Potential Renewable Energy Sources

3. Aims of this Workshop PEDAGOGY • Determine the ways in which biomass energy can be used to teach physical and life science content, the engineering design process and inquiry skills • Develop competency in hands-on, inquiry demonstrations and lab experiences about wind energy for the classroom SCIENCE CONTENT • Explore the carbon cycle and investigate the impact of biomass energy use on the carbon cycle • Explain the four essential processes involved in gasification and apply gasification to solve a real-world problem • Describe the steps necessary for synthesizing ethanol for fuel • Differentiate between a gasoline engine and diesel engine and characterize the fuels that go in each engine • Explain the processes of transesterification and polymerization for producing biodiesel and plastics, respectively • Determine the relative efficiencies and advantages and disadvantages of the different forms of biomass technologies

4. What is Energy? • Energy makes change possible. We use energy for everything we do. • Heat, light, motion, electrical, chemical, nuclear, gravitational • How would you classify the forms listed above?

5. Clean Energy? • The growth of clean and domestic renewable energy is an important part of addressing climate change and increasing energy security. • What are some examples of clean and renewable energy sources?

6. Biomass Energy as a Theme for Teaching Science • Interdisciplinary topic • Hits on many important strands of the NSES • Can emphasize some content more heavily to meet needs of your curriculum • Tied to basic scientific principles • Authentic problem • Focus of current scientific research, engineering applications and industry

7. What is Biomass?? • Use of biomass can greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions • Can reduce dependence on foreign oil • Supports U.S. agricultural and forest-product industries Biomass power is carbon neutral electricity! For every megawatt of biomass produced, 4.9 jobs are created! Reduces CO2 emissions by 15.2 tons annually!

8. Carbon Cycle

9. Greenhouse Effect and Global Warming Process by which thermal radiation from from Earth is absorbed by atmospheric greenhouse gases (CO2, H2O, CH4) and is reradiated in all directions.

10. Types of Biomass Energy Applications • Biopower • Using biomass to generate electricity • Six ways: (1) direct-fired; (2) cofiring; (3) gasification; (4) anaerobic digestion; (5) pyrolysis; and (6) small modular • Biochar • Charcoal created by pyrolysis of biomass • Sequesters and captures carbon dioxide • Biofuels • Ethanol • Biodiesel • Bioproducts • Replace products made from fossil fuels • Examples: antifreeze, plastics, glues, artificial sweeteners, gels for toothpaste

11. Biopower • Gasification • Pyrolysis • Direct/Co-Firing • Anaerobic digestion

12. Biofuels • Ethanol • Biodiesel • Fuels from Algae

13. Bioproducts • Petrochemical industry makes products from fossil fuels – similar products can be made from biomass instead! • Biochemical conversion • Breaks biomass down to component sugars and converts them to carbon monoxide and hydrogen • These products can then be used to create new products • Bioproducts made from sugar • Antifreeze, plastics, glues, artificial sweeteners, and gel for toothpaste • Bioproducts made from carbon monoxide and hydrogen of syngas • Plastics and acids (photographic films, textiles, and synthetic fabrics) Examples of Bioproducts

14. Science Concepts Students NEED to Know • Periodic table • Elements, Molecules and Bonding • Biogeochemical cycles • Carbon cycle • Greenhouse effect • Photosynthesis • Chemical reactions (ex: combustion) • Balancing chemical reactions • Functional groups • Cell walls • Catalyst • Mechanics of engines • Energy density • Flash point • Organic Chemistry (e.g., Transesterification/Polymerization)

15. Overview of Today • Overview of BIOMASS ENERGY CURRICULUM • POGIL Models – • The Carbon Cycle & Greenhouse Effect • Do Models 4 and 5 (Carbon Cycle) – pp. 11-12 • Do Models 7 & 8 (Greenhouse Effect/Carbon Dioxide and Temp) – pp. 15-17 • DEMOS • Online Carbon Cycle Game • Greenhouse gases • LABS • Carbon Cycle Board Game • Modeling Carbon Sequestration • Making and Experimenting with a Biochar Stove • CHALLENGE • Density of Oils and the Right Amount of Catalyst • EXTENSION • Make and Purify a Batch of Biodiesel (Use it to run diesel lawn equipment!) • CLOSING and EVALUATION

16. Thank you!!!!Information about borrowing kits will be sent to you via email Rachel Ruggirello ruggirello@wustl.edu Paul Markovits markovits@wustl.edu

17. Oxy-Coal Combustion and Carbon Sequestration with Biomass Research at Washington University in St. Louis

18. Engineers study different approaches to reducing carbon emissions Dr. Axelbaum discusses problems the facility is designed to address and the commingling of coal and biomass