ARE LIGNOCELLULOSIC RESOURCES TOO VALUABLE TO BURN?
Lignocellulosic matter often can be counted as a renewable resource, since it is produced by photosynthesis. But there are limits to how much biomass our society can use in a sustainable manner. People can debate whether or not it makes sense to use a substantial portion of lignocellulosic materia...
| Main Author: | |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
North Carolina State University
2008-05-01
|
| Series: | BioResources |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://ojs.cnr.ncsu.edu/index.php/BioRes/article/viewFile/BioRes_03_2_0295_Hubbe_TooValuableToBurn/116 |
| _version_ | 1818579223453892608 |
|---|---|
| author | Martin A. Hubbe |
| author_facet | Martin A. Hubbe |
| author_sort | Martin A. Hubbe |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Lignocellulosic matter often can be counted as a renewable resource, since it is produced by photosynthesis. But there are limits to how much biomass our society can use in a sustainable manner. People can debate whether or not it makes sense to use a substantial portion of lignocellulosic materials as a source of liquid fuel. This essay gives a qualified affirmative answer to the question in its title. However, combustion of lignocellulosic resources can be considered as wasteful and uneconomical, in the long run, if it is inefficient, if it fails to displace the combustion of fossil fuels, or if it displaces a higher-end use, for which there are available customers. In particular, it seems unlikely that combustion of fuels derived from lignocellulosic biomass can, by itself, solve problems that stem from society’s excessive thirst for motor fuels. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-16T06:58:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-92b24c036fc749bbb1cc1dcc702e4e92 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1930-2126 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-16T06:58:17Z |
| publishDate | 2008-05-01 |
| publisher | North Carolina State University |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BioResources |
| spelling | doaj.art-92b24c036fc749bbb1cc1dcc702e4e922022-12-21T22:40:13ZengNorth Carolina State UniversityBioResources1930-21262008-05-0132295296ARE LIGNOCELLULOSIC RESOURCES TOO VALUABLE TO BURN?Martin A. HubbeLignocellulosic matter often can be counted as a renewable resource, since it is produced by photosynthesis. But there are limits to how much biomass our society can use in a sustainable manner. People can debate whether or not it makes sense to use a substantial portion of lignocellulosic materials as a source of liquid fuel. This essay gives a qualified affirmative answer to the question in its title. However, combustion of lignocellulosic resources can be considered as wasteful and uneconomical, in the long run, if it is inefficient, if it fails to displace the combustion of fossil fuels, or if it displaces a higher-end use, for which there are available customers. In particular, it seems unlikely that combustion of fuels derived from lignocellulosic biomass can, by itself, solve problems that stem from society’s excessive thirst for motor fuels.http://ojs.cnr.ncsu.edu/index.php/BioRes/article/viewFile/BioRes_03_2_0295_Hubbe_TooValuableToBurn/116BiofuelsLignocellulosic resourcesAlternative uses |
| spellingShingle | Martin A. Hubbe ARE LIGNOCELLULOSIC RESOURCES TOO VALUABLE TO BURN? BioResources Biofuels Lignocellulosic resources Alternative uses |
| title | ARE LIGNOCELLULOSIC RESOURCES TOO VALUABLE TO BURN? |
| title_full | ARE LIGNOCELLULOSIC RESOURCES TOO VALUABLE TO BURN? |
| title_fullStr | ARE LIGNOCELLULOSIC RESOURCES TOO VALUABLE TO BURN? |
| title_full_unstemmed | ARE LIGNOCELLULOSIC RESOURCES TOO VALUABLE TO BURN? |
| title_short | ARE LIGNOCELLULOSIC RESOURCES TOO VALUABLE TO BURN? |
| title_sort | are lignocellulosic resources too valuable to burn |
| topic | Biofuels Lignocellulosic resources Alternative uses |
| url | http://ojs.cnr.ncsu.edu/index.php/BioRes/article/viewFile/BioRes_03_2_0295_Hubbe_TooValuableToBurn/116 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT martinahubbe arelignocellulosicresourcestoovaluabletoburn |