Carbon efficiency

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The term carbon efficiency is mostly used when converting organic material (biomass) into fuels or energy carriers. The carbon efficiency is defined as the quotient of the amount of carbon used and the available carbon in the product:

${\displaystyle \eta _{\mathrm {C} }={\frac {n(\mathrm {C_{Produkt}} )}{n(\mathrm {C_{Edukt}} )}}}$

The unreacted carbon usually escapes into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or methane. With hydrothermal carbonization, attempts are made to convert biomass into coal with the highest possible carbon efficiency.

Examples

Procedure	Carbon efficiency
Alcoholic fermentation	approx. 67%
Anaerobic conversion to biogas	approx. 50 %
Charring	approx. 30%
Composting	5-10%

See also

• Biomass
• Hydrothermal carbonation