eChapters

Biomass is a renewable and valuable resource that has many uses, including energy production, biofuels, and bioproducts. It’s made up of a complex mixture of organic compounds like cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, proteins, fats, and minerals, which can vary depending on the source and type of biomass. Understanding the composition and properties of biomass is essential for efficient use. In this chapter, we’ll provide an overview of how to analyze and evaluate biomass as a renewable energy source. We’ll cover various techniques and methodologies for analyzing biomass, including physical, chemical, and thermal properties. We’ll discuss the importance of biomass composition, moisture content, ash content, elemental analysis, calorific value, and other relevant parameters when assessing its suitability for energy conversion. Additionally, we’ll highlight the significance of biomass characterization in understanding biomass feedstock variability and its impact on energy production efficiency, environmental performance, and sustainability.

1.1 General

Biomass is a renewable and plentiful energy source with enormous potential to meet the rising demand for clean and sustainable energy solutions. This chapter offers an overview of biomass and its conversion technology, which includes various techniques to transform biomass into useful forms of energy like heat, electricity, and biofuels.

Biomass is an organic substance obtained from plants, animals, and microorganisms. It can be utilized as a source of energy or as a basic material in various applications. The energy in biomass is derived from photosynthesis, during which plants convert sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into organic matter. Since it comes from living or recently deceased organisms, it is a sustainable and renewable resource. In terms of carbon dioxide emissions, biomass is considered a carbon-neutral energy source because the carbon dioxide produced during combustion is offset by the carbon dioxide absorbed by plants during their growth.

Etiology

It is caused by Staphylococci spp- characterized by superficial pyoderma in dogs. It is mainly due to exfoliative toxins of S? aureus.

Gross pathology

The lesion reveals cutaneous exfoliation, vesicles, pustules (Figure 6) and crust.

Ulcerative dermatitis is one of the primary features of the skin disease in which discontinuity of the skin along with marked inflammation and necrosis are seen.

Etiology

It is a pruritic transmissible dermatological condition caused by Cheyletiella yasguri, one of the surface living mite.

Etiology

It is a rare canine dermatological condition. This condition is subdivided into two groups. In the first group, it is seen in Siberian husky and Alaskan malamutes. It is due to inherited impairment in the zinc absorption or metabolism. In the second group, it is due to use of high plant phytates diet (zinc absorption prevention), commercial or home prepared diet which is zinc deficient or diet is over supplemented with calcium and other vitamins and minerals which impair zinc absorption. Group two is mostly seen in large breed dogs and young adults.

Basal cell carcinoma is a locally malignant epithelial tumor of skin which is mainly composed of basal cells. This may occur due to mutation in the tumor suppressor gene p53 and chronic exposure to UV radiation.

Cytologically, neoplastic cylindrical columnar cells, are moderate to high in number. The neoplastic cells are small to medium sized with round to spherical nuclei with basophilic cytoplasm (Figure 42 & 43).

Etiology

Demodecosis is caused by Demodex species follicular mite with increased numbers. But, it is generally caused by Demodex canis. It is divided into two forms – juvenile and adult forms. The juvenile form is more common. This condition may be localized or generalized in nature.

It is commonly spread by coitus and also by licking and rubbing of the affected area. It is more common in active breeding dogs.

It is more common in dogs and frequently seen in the skin and oral cavity. It usually occurs in 5 to 11 years old dogs. Benign melanomas are solitary, circumscribed, alopecic firm and freely movable blue black coloured nodules in the skin. Malignant melanoma is sessile, polypoid to plaque like grey or brown black coloured granules in the skin with ulceration.

It is more common in old dogs and also mostly observed in the cutaneous region of trunk and legs.

Grossly, the tumour appears as solitary to multiple masses as white, pink to red, smooth, and raised nodules. Alopecia and ulceration are also observed. It is mostly observed in the pinna and digits.

Cutaneous lymphoma has two types viz. Epitheliotropic and non- epitheliotropic. Epitheliotropic lymphoma (mycosis fungoides) is mostly seen in the skin which is characterized by erythema, pruritus, alopecia, scaling, erosion and ulceration. It mostly occurs in plaques or nodules (Figure 80). Non-epitheliotropic lymphomas are observed as nodules. They are usually sheets of nodules seen in the deep dermal and subcutaneous tissue.

Histiocytoma is more common in younger dogs below two years of age. It is also observed in all age groups.

Gross examination

Grossly, histiocytoma appears as light pink, smooth to firm, raised round (Figure 77) masses. Alopecia and ulceration are also observed.

The mast cell tumors are focal or multicentric in nature in the skin and occasionally in the internal organs. It is more common in middle aged dogs without sex predilection.

Hemangiopericytoma is a tumor originating from pericytes. It is mostly seen in distal extremities due to elevation of blood pressure in that area. It is mostly seen in skin and subcutaneous tissue around the joint region.

Haemangiosarcoma is a malignant tumour of vascular endothelial cells. It is more commonly seen in aged dogs.

It is a benign tumor of endothelial cells. It is a common tumor of dogs. Solar induction is one of the cause for development of this tumor.

Liposarcoma is a rare malignant tumor of adipocytes in dogs. Grossly, the neoplastic cells are arranged in less circumscribed to large firm to hard (Figure 67) nodules on the dermis and the nodules noticed on the subcutis are grey white in color.

Lipoma is a benign tumor of adipocytes and it is more common in dogs and mostly observed in the trunk, thigh and proximal limbs with rare presence of ulceration.

The tumour is most commonly seen in adult and aged dogs. It occurs anywhere on the body surface. It is due to trauma, chronic inflammation, vaccination, genetic predisposition etc.