摘要: Biomass represents an important but underutilized energy resource in the United States. The Congressional Office of Technology Assessment has estimated that, with proper resource management and the development of efficient convers... 展开 Biomass represents an important but underutilized energy resource in the United States. The Congressional Office of Technology Assessment has estimated that, with proper resource management and the development of efficient conversion processes, the potential contribution of biomass to US energy demand could range as high as 17 quadrillion Btu per year - almost 20% of current US energy consumption. Similarly, the Energy Research Advisory Board (ERAB) has estimated a potential of approximately 10 quadrillion Btu per year. Wood and crop residues constitute a vast majority of the biomass feedstocks available for conversion, and thermochemical processes are well suited for conversion of these materials. The US Department of Energy (DOE) is sponsoring research on this conversion technology for renewable energy through its Biomass Thermochemical Conversion Program. The program is part of DOE's Biomass Energy Technology Division, Office of Renewable Energy. Pacific Northwest Laboratory has been designated the Field Management Office for the Biomass Thermochemical Conversion Program with responsibility for overall management of the program. This paper briefly describes the Thermochemical Conversion Program. (ERA citation 10:025388) 收起