THE RISKS IN THE USE OF BIOGAS AND BIOMASS IN PLANTS FOR GENERATING HEAT AND ELECTRICITY

The use of biomass in the world is significant not only in terms of immediate solving of the problem of the lack of energy and its high prices, but also in terms of solving the problem of environment protection. Biogas is especially convenient when it comes to using biomass as a renewable energy source. Biogas digesters use degradable organic matter, from which two useful products, fermented biogas and fertilizer can be obtained. The paper analyzes the data of the combustion products of a cogeneration biogas plant and of a boiler plant for generating thermal energy. The analysis showed thatduring the use of biomass containing lignin, the products of combustion and thermal decomposition release benzenes, which are dangerous substances for human health. In case of thermal decomposition of biogas, combustion products are significantly less dangerous for human health.