Converting Waste Agricultural Biomass into a Resource - UNEP

3. Scope and Limitations
In compiling the data for the Compendium, the primary methodology used is
data gathering and review of published and online documents on waste
biomass conversion technologies. Data from these documents are then
organized into fact sheets, which include a summary of technology
information, details of the biomass conversion process, and the equipment
used 5 .
Technologies listed in the Compendium are limited to those that use
cellulosic 6 agricultural waste biomass. Technologies using exclusively nonwaste
biomass, such as energy crops like poplars, willows, switchgrass,
alfalfa, prairie bluestem, corn, soybean oil and others, are excluded from the
Compendium. It also leaves out technologies using animal husbandry waste.
However, some technologies included in the Compendium utilize a mix of
biomass resources consisting of agricultural residues, energy crops, animal
waste and even some inorganic materials such as those found in municipal
solid wastes.
Part I compiles technologies that convert agricultural biomass waste into
energy products such as heat and steam, electricity, producer gas, synthetic
fuel oil, charcoal, methane, ethanol, bio-diesel and methanol. Part II lists down
the technologies that convert agricultural biomass waste into raw materials or
non-energy products such as cordage, textiles, paper products, upholstery
and packaging materials, animal feed, insulators and panel boards, among
many others. Each technology datasheet in the Compendium is coupled with
a technology assessment sheet 7 to enable users to decide if the technology is
applicable to their needs.
The geographical scope of the compendium is global. Thus, technologies
listed range from highly sophisticated equipment from industrialized countries
to simple technologies from the developing countries. Different levels of use
are also considered, i.e., commercial use, demonstration projects, and
research level technologies.
Data gathering was conducted from the September 2007 to May 2008.
However, publication date is not a criterion for technology inclusion in the
Compendium because the information gathered range from current to as old
as five years, as available on the web and other publications. Moreover, a
technology or equipment’s inclusion in the Compendium does not constitute
an endorsement of any kind by UNEP. Rather, it merely provides access to
information needed by end users such as farmer groups, non-government
organizations, local government units and industry.
5 For details, see Part IV: The Compendium
6 Cellulosic biomass is composed of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, with smaller amounts of
proteins, lipids and ash. Examples of cellulosic biomass wastes are rice hull and stalks, coconut coir and
shell.
7 See annexes for sample of technology datasheet and accompanying assessment sheet
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