<P> A range of chemical processes may be used to convert biomass into other forms , such as to produce a fuel that is more conveniently used , transported or stored , or to exploit some property of the process itself . Many of these processes are based in large part on similar coal - based processes , such as Fischer - Tropsch synthesis , methanol production , olefins ( ethylene and propylene ) , and similar chemical or fuel feedstocks . In most cases , the first step involves gasification , which step generally is the most expensive and involves the greatest technical risk . Biomass is more difficult to feed into a pressure vessel than coal or any liquid . Therefore , biomass gasification is frequently done at atmospheric pressure and causes combustion of biomass to produce a combustible gas consisting of carbon monoxide , hydrogen , and traces of methane . This gas mixture , called a producer gas , can provide fuel for various vital processes , such as internal combustion engines , as well as substitute for furnace oil in direct heat applications . Because any biomass material can undergo gasification , this process is far more attractive than ethanol or biomass production , where only particular biomass materials can be used to produce a fuel . In addition , biomass gasification is a desirable process due to the ease at which it can convert solid waste ( such as wastes available on a farm ) into producer gas , which is a very usable fuel . </P>
<P> A range of chemical processes may be used to convert biomass into other forms , such as to produce a fuel that is more conveniently used , transported or stored , or to exploit some property of the process itself . Many of these processes are based in large part on similar coal - based processes , such as Fischer - Tropsch synthesis , methanol production , olefins ( ethylene and propylene ) , and similar chemical or fuel feedstocks . In most cases , the first step involves gasification , which step generally is the most expensive and involves the greatest technical risk . Biomass is more difficult to feed into a pressure vessel than coal or any liquid . Therefore , biomass gasification is frequently done at atmospheric pressure and causes combustion of biomass to produce a combustible gas consisting of carbon monoxide , hydrogen , and traces of methane . This gas mixture , called a producer gas , can provide fuel for various vital processes , such as internal combustion engines , as well as substitute for furnace oil in direct heat applications . Because any biomass material can undergo gasification , this process is far more attractive than ethanol or biomass production , where only particular biomass materials can be used to produce a fuel . In addition , biomass gasification is a desirable process due to the ease at which it can convert solid waste ( such as wastes available on a farm ) into producer gas , which is a very usable fuel . </P>
land conversion through burning of biomass releases which gas
land conversion through burning of biomass releases which gas
carbon monoxide hydrogen traces of methane
carbon monoxide hydrogen traces of methane