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Biofuels
With the increasing focus on the environment, people are looking for ways to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels. Biofuels may be one solution to this problem. Read on to find out more about what they are and how they are commonly used.
What are Biofuels?
Biofuels can be defined as any solid, liquid, or gas fuel that has been derived from recently dead biological material. It can theoretically be made from any biological carbon source but the most common source is photosynthetic plants. Biofuels allow energy to be produced without causing a net increase of carbon into the atmosphere, as the plants used to produce the fuel have removed carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This is unlike fossil fuels, which return stored carbon to the atmosphere.
Types of Biofuels
There are several different types of biofuels including:
• Biodiesel – has a composition just like mineral diesel. It is made by combining alcohol, usually methanol, with vegetable oil, animal fat, or recycled cooking grease. It is a renewable alternative fuel for diesel engines. Oilseed crops can also be converted into biodiesel fuel.
• Bioalcohols – are biologically produced alcohols. Ethanol is a common bioalcohol and is the most commonly used biofuel in the world. It can be used in petrol engines as a substitute for gasoline and can also be mixed with gasoline in any ratio. Ethanol is made by fermenting any biomass high in carbohydrates through a process similar to beer brewing. Today, it is made from starches and sugar but technology is being developed to allow it to be made from cellulose and hemicellulose, the fibrous material that makes up the bulk of most plant matter. Methanol is another bioalcohol and it is usually produced from natural gas, or it can be produced from biomass.
• Solid biofuels – include dried manure, charcoal, domestic refuse, grass cuttings, and wood.
• Biogas – is created when organic material is anaerobically digested by anaerobes. During product, a solid byproduct called digestate is produced and this can be used as a biofuel or fertiliser. Biogas consists of methane.
Uses for Biofuels
Biofuels are most commonly used in transportation. In the building industry, this can translate to a more environmentally friendly way of transporting building materials. Ethanol can be used as a hydrogen source for fuel cells. Biofuels can be used to power cooking stoves or as a home heating oil in domestic boilers.
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