Hemp as Biomass
Hemp biomass as a source of fuel is the most under-exploited use of hemp, mostly because it is not economically feasible at the present time. The use of any biomass to produce energy is called 'chemurgy' – derived from 'chemicals' and 'energy' – as opposed to petrochemical products. Almost any biomass material can be converted to create methanol or ethanol, and these fuels burn cleanly with less carbon monoxide and higher octane. Hemp is a valuable, viable source of woody biomass. One acre of hemp is approximately 75 percent cellulose, whereas one acre of trees is only 60 percent – hemp can give two crops per year whereas trees give one crop every 20-30 years. Hemp stalk can be converted into 500 gallons of methanol/acre.
Did you know: The diesel engine was invented to burn fuel from agricultural waste, yet ended up burning unrefined petroleum.
The following table shows some of the advantages of hemp biomass fuel production.
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Petrol/Diesel
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Hemp
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Can be Procured Domestically: |
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Renewable Resource: |
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Biodegradable: |
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Dangerous to Handle and Store: |
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Could Provide Economic Gain to Farmers and Industry: |
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| Contributes to Global Warming: |
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| Toxic By-products of Emission: |
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| Contributes to Sulphur Pollution (acid rain): |
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Procurement Pollutes Local Environment: |
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Highly Toxic to Humans and Other Animals: |
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Copyright 2005 - Last Updated October 2005
Other interesting factors to support biofuel production and use:
- Particulate Matter. The exhaust emissions of particulate matter from biodiesel were 30 percent lower than overall particulate matter emissions from diesel. Breathing particulate has been shown to be a human health hazard.
- Carbon Monoxide. The exhaust emissions of carbon monoxide (a poisonous gas) from biodiesel are 50 percent lower than carbon monoxide emissions from diesel.
- Sulphur. Sulphur emissions are essentially eliminated with pure biodiesel. Ethanol contains no sulphur.
- Hydrocarbons. The exhaust emissions of total hydrocarbons (a contributing factor in the localised formation of smog and ozone) are 93 percent lower for biodiesel and diesel.
- Biodegradability. Biodiesel degrades about four times faster than petroleum diesel. Within 28 days, pure biodiesel degrades 85-88 percent in water.
- Flash Point. The flash point of a fuel is defined as the temperature at which it will ignite when exposed to a spark or flame. Biodiesel's flash point is over 300 degrees Fahrenheit, whereas petroleum based diesel fuel's flash point is around 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Acute Oral Toxicity. Biodiesel is non-toxic. The acute oral LD50 (lethal dose) is greater than 17.4 gm/kg body weight. Table salt is nearly 10 times more toxic.