In general, biofuels emit fewer greenhouse gas emissions when burned in an engine and are generally considered carbon-neutral fuels as the carbon emitted has been captured from the atmosphere by the crops used in production. However, life-cycle assessments of biofuels have shown large emissions associated with the potential land-use change required to produce additional biofuel feedstocks. Estimates about the climate impact from biofuels vary widely based on the methodology and exact situation examined. Therefore, the climate change mitigation potential of biofuel varies considerably: in some scenarios emission levels are comparable to fossil fuels, and in other scenarios the biofuel emissions result in negative emissions.
What is the Biofuels
This article is about mainly liquid or gaseous fuels used for transport. For other applications, see Bioenergy.Biofuel is a fuel that is produced over a short time span from biomass, rather than by the very slow natural processes involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as oil. Biofuel can be produced from plants or from agricultural, domestic or industrial biowaste. Biofuels are mostly used for transportation, but can also be used for heating and electricity. Biofuels (and bioenergy in general) are regarded as a renewable energy source. However, the use of biofuel has been controversial because of the several disadvantages associated with the use of it. These include for example (and this varies on a case by case basis): the "food vs fuel" debate, biofuel production methods being sustainable or not, leading to deforestation and loss of biodiversity or not.
TThe two most common types of biofuel are bioethanol and biodiesel. Brazil is the largest producer of bioethanol, while the EU is the largest producer of biodiesel. The energy content in the global production of bioethanol and biodiesel is 2.2 and 1.8 EJ per year, respectively.Demand for aviation biofuel is forecast to increase.Bioethanol is an alcohol made by fermentation, mostly from carbohydrates produced in sugar or starch crops such as maize, sugarcane, or sweet sorghum. Cellulosic biomass, derived from non-food sources, such as trees and grasses, is also being developed as a feedstock for ethanol production. Ethanol can be used as a fuel for vehicles in its pure form (E100), but it is usually used as a gasoline additive to increase octane ratings and improve vehicle emissions. Biodiesel is produced from oils or fats using transesterification. It can be used as a fuel for vehicles in its pure form (B100), but it is usually used as a diesel additive to reduce levels of particulates, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons from diesel-powered vehicles.
How is biofuels producded
Biofuels can be produced in a number of ways. But generally,
it uses chemical reactions, fermentation, and heat to break down
biomolecules such as starch, sugar, protein, and fat in plants or raw materials
used for production. It is then put through a quality improvement process to
enhance or improve the properties of the product to make it suitable for further
use.
Forms of biofuels
Solid . Wood It is a biofuel derived from organic matter, including trees and plants.
It provides biomass in the form of firewood, sawdust, wood chips, charcoal,
and wood pellets that can be burned and produced as heat energy.
Plants (Agricultural Wastes)
Plants such as corn cobs, sugarcane bagasse, rice husks, cotton, peanut waste,
Napier grass, and animal waste such as manure, animal skin, etc. can be turned
into heat energy and can be used to produce electricity.
liquid
Biodiesel It is a biofuel produced from animal fat. microalgae and
vegetable oils The most popular crops produced include sunflowers and
oil palms. Biodiesel is formed from a combination of animal and plant fats and
oils, respectively. The quality is then improved through chemical processes
such as transesterification.under high temperature conditions And it is
biodiesel that has combustion properties similar to diesel from petroleum and
can be used as a substitute. Most importantly, it can decompose by natural
biological processes and is not toxic to the environment.
Ethanol
Ethanol It is a natural renewable fuel that is clear, colorless and produced
from biomass, both plants and animals such as corn, wheat, cassava, straw,
willows, sawdust, sorghum, and grass, etc. Ethanol is alcohol produced through
Biomass fermentation process with high carbon content It can be used as fuel
for cars. And it is used as a mixture with gasoline to increase the octane
number and reduce carbon monoxide and smoke emissions.
Methanol
Methanol is an alcoholic liquid fuel, like ethanol. Can be used as fuel for the
engines of various vehicles, especially racing cars. Methanol has a chemical
omposition that is very similar to methane. The only difference is that methane is a
gas. while methanol is a liquid. The biomass is converted to methanol through
gasification through various chemical processes such as methane reforming procress
(CH4 reforming) gas transformation process (Gasification) to produce completely
bio-combustible methanol. without soot and gives a blue flame.
Butanol.
It is another type of biofuel alcohol. which occurs from the fermentation process
of algae or bacteria The most common method for producing butanol is by fermenting
he sugars found in biomass feedstock. Butanol has a higher amount of energy per unit
than ethanol and methanol. but has structure and its chemical performance is similar
to gasoline. It can be used directly as a fuel in engines without any modification
and can significantly reduce carbon emissions by up to 85% compared to gasoline.
Gas
Biogas It is a biofuel in the form of gas that has properties similar to natural gas. Which is obtained from the process of breaking down both plant and animal biomass under anaerobic conditions. The main component is methane gas. Nowadays, it is commonly packaged in gas tanks for household use.
The importance of biofuels
-It is a renewable energy source that is clean and environmentally friendly.
-Reduce imports of fossil fuels Create energy security and economic stability.
-Low cost, easy to produce, and cheaper than fossil fuels.
-Burns better than petroleum and diesel. Reduce the creation of air pollution,
acid rain, and greenhouse gases.
-Increase local employment rates and help promote agriculture and add value in
the agricultural sector very well.