HOT TOPICS: BiomassRachel Ruggirello, Science Educator

Paul Markovits, Science Educator

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

NREL Map of Infrastructure and Potential Renewable Energy SourcesLocate the best

region(s) for each

type of renewable

energy.

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

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

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

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?

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

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?

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

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

Strand 5-8 9-12Inquiry -Abilities

necessary to do scientific inquiry-Understanding of scientific inquiry

-Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry-Understanding of scientific inquiry

Life Science

-Structure and function of living systems

-The cell-Matter, energy, and organization in living systems

Earth & Space Science

-Structure of the earth system

-Energy in the earth system-Geochemical systems

Physical Science

-Transfer of energy

-Conservation of energy-Interactions of energy and matter

Science & Technology

-Abilities of technological design-Understanding about science and technology

-Abilities of technological design-Understanding about science and technology

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

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

For every

megawatt of

biomass

produced, 4.9

jobs are

created!

Biomass power

is carbon

neutral

electricity!

Reduces CO2

emissions by 15.2

tons annually!

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

Carbon Cycle

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

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.

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

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

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

Biopower

• Gasification• Pyrolysis • Direct/Co-Firing• Anaerobic digestion

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

Biofuels

• Ethanol• Biodiesel• Fuels from Algae

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

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

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

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)

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

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

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

Thank you!!!! Information about borrowing kits will be sent to you via email

Rachel Ruggirelloruggirello@wustl.edu

Paul Markovitsmarkovits@wustl.edu

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

RESEARCH AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY IN ST. LOUIS

Oxy-Coal Combustion and Carbon Sequestration with Biomass

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PARC is supported by the US Department of Energy, Office of Basic Energy Sciences as part of an Energy Frontier Research Center.

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