Biomass - Investigating Gases

Eric Eric Benson, Melissa Highfill, US Department of Energy - Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy - Energy Education and Workforce Development

In this lab activity students generate their own biomass gases by heating wood pellets or wood splints in a test tube. They collect the resulting gases and use the gas to roast a marshmallow. Students also evaluate which biomass fuel is the best by their own criteria or by examining the volume of gas produced by each type of fuel.

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Notes from our reviewers

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Educators are encouraged to use the optional biomass home energy analysis portion of this activity if time allows. It shows how biomass energy sources realistically compare to other energy sources.
The activity includes an optional mathematics extension that links these lab results to the energy bills for the student's own homes. This activity was written by a DOE ACTS Fellow with input from NREL scientists and education programs staff. Comment from expert scientist: This study is an in depth look at thermochemical conversion processes of biomass into fungible fuels. It is scientifically sound and steps the students through the scientific process (experiment, minimal data collection, discussion, analysis). It does so in a fun and inviting way. There is a great 'teachers resource' section at the end that provides links and further information to be used by the teacher in providing context for the resource.
An excellent inquiry lab introducing the topic of biomass energy. It could be analytically complex for the grade-level suggested depending on the prior lab experience of students. The written materials for this activity (e.g., lab procedure, background material, student Biomass Gasification worksheet and optional Biomass Home Energy Analysis worksheet) are all excellent.