Question

Which of the following is not an example of a biomass energy source?
${\text{A}}{\text{.}}$ Wood
${\text{B}}{\text{.}}$ Gobar gas
${\text{C}}{\text{.}}$ Agricultural wastes
${\text{D}}{\text{.}}$ Coal

Answer 1

Hint: Here, we will proceed by defining the term biomass. Then, we will mention the examples of biomass energy sources. Finally, we will observe which of the given energy sources comes under renewable sources of energy and non-renewable sources of energy.

Complete Step-by-Step solution:
Biomass is organic material originating from plants and animals, and is a renewable energy source.
Biomass includes energy from the sun contained in it. Plants absorb energy from the light in a process known as photosynthesis. Once biomass is burned, the fire releases the chemical energy in biomass. Biomass can be directly burned or converted into liquid biofuels or biogas that can be combusted as fuels.
Examples of biomass and its energy uses are given under.
Waste for wood and wood processing: burning to heat houses, providing process power in manufacturing, and generating electricity.
Agricultural crops and waste materials: burned or converted to liquid biofuels as a fuel.
Food, yard, and garbage wood waste: Burned to produce energy in power plants or processed into biogas in landfills.
Animal waste and human sewage: they are converted into biogas that can be used as coal.
Gobar gas is also known as organic gas or simply as biogas. Along with some other organic matter such as dead remains of plants and animals, its main component is animal dung (gobar-India). It can be used for cooking, for producing electricity and for heating.
For rural households it is proving to be a very cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative fuel.
Coal is a heavy rock that can be incinerated as a solid fossil fuel. It is mainly carbon but includes hydrogen, sulphur, oxygen and nitrogen. It is a sedimentary rock made from peat, later laid down by the pressure of rocks.
Coal is an energy source which is non-renewable. It is a modern, heavily used fossil fuel.
It is clear that coal, gobar gas and agricultural waste are all examples of sources of biomass energy.
Therefore, coal is not an example of a biomass energy source.
Hence, option D is correct.

Note- Biomass energy produces a smaller amount of harmful greenhouse gases than alternatives to fossil fuel generate. Biomass energy yields less carbon than energy from fossil fuels. Biomass energy creates lower sulfur dioxide levels and is an essential component of acid rain. Biomass energy is easily sustainable if the crops are grown and handled effectively and is available wherever plants can be grown.