Contents

Preface
I. Introduction
II. Wastes and Weeds in India
  A. Classification of wastes
  B. Classification of weeds
III. Agricultural Wastes
  A. Commercial crops
  B. Fruits and vegetables
  C. Oil seed crops
  D. Pulses
  E. Cereals
  F. Sugar crops
  G. Miscellaneous
IV. Industrial Wastes
V. Animal Wastes
VI. Forest Wastes
VII. Municipal Wastes
  A Municipal solid wastes
  B. Night soil and waste waters
VIII. Terrestrial Hardy Weeds
IX. Petroleum Weeds
X. Aquatic Weeds

Preface

Adequate supply of energy at a reasonable cost is the key factor to the economic development of a country. The fossil fuel reserves are fast depleting and the world is realising about the energy crisis in the future. It is important to formulate a broad-energy policy, taking into consideration a variety of sources and options. At this juncture the bio-mass becomes prominent as a future source of energy. This booklet describes about the various sources of biomass in India and highlights their fuel value.

Dr. K. T. Chandy, Agricultural & Environmental Education

I. Introduction

The steep increase in the cost of oil and the uncertainty of its availability is being realized all over the world. In order to meet the future energy need it is necessary to develop and use the non-conventional sources also. Among a number of options available, biomass is one of the potential sources of energy as solid, liquid and gaseous fuel. Fuel from biomass is obtained from a variety of fuel stocks such as wood, charcoal, dung, vegetable, water, etc. More than one third of the world's population depends on wood for cooking and heating. But increased population, industrialization and urbanization have encroached upon forest land, thereby creating wood fuel scarcity.

The woods available with us is not sufficient to meet the demands of timber, pulp and paper industries. Therefore, alternatives are to be searched for. Among the biomass sources, wastes and weeds are available in bulk, almost free of cost and the fuel value of these is not utilized properly. If utilized in a right way, they can meet 75% of the demands of the rural population in India. By a number of technologies, wastes and weeds can be converted to solid, liquid and gaseous fuels, which can be used for cooking, lighting, heating, pumping water, fuel for industry, transport and electricity generation. For more details about conversion methods refer booklet No.379 on "Biomass as a source of energy"

II. Wastes and Weeds in India

Wastes and weeds are available in plenty from fields in our country. They are classified and described as follows.

A. Classification of wastes

Wastes are classified depending on the source from which they are obtained.

1. Agricultural and agro-industrial wastes
The production of agro-residues is increased significantly and the availability is more at the village level. Agro-industrial wastes are also available in plenty about 40 million tonnes a year.

i. Agricultural residues

Annually, 15% of the total residues available per house hold are utilized for fuel purposes. The major agricultural residues for energy production are given in table: 1 here.