Biofuel As A Sustainable Power Source
The energy crisis has already prompted a war; that
is if you believe conspiracy theorists and the media. There might be
some truth to this matter, at least if we take a closer look at the
dynamics of supply and demand of fuel all over the world.
What Is BioFuel?
Biofuel is an energy source derived from recently deceased biological
matter while fossil fuel (i.e. raw material for gasoline, kerosene,
diesel and etc.). In theory biofuel can be derived from any carbonated
source, but in practice it usually comes from plants like corn, palm,
sugar cane, wheat, jatropha and algae. These feedstock sources are
popular for the two most popular end products which are used for cars
and machineries: bioethanol and biodiesel. Bioethanol comes from either
sugar crops or fermented starch. Biofuel does not just come from plant
crops, although a margin of them does.
Biomass
Since bio fuel maybe gaseous, liquid or solid fuel other categories also
apply. Way up in Tibetan mountains biofuel have been in use for hundreds
of years. Tibetans use manure from their goats, donkeys, horses and cows
as a substitute for wood. Animal waste are common pollutants, converting
it into useful energy helps eliminate its negative effects.
Biowaste
Other alternative fuel resources are used oils. People eat, and
thousands and millions of gallons of used oils are thrown down the drain
which leads to rivers and oceans. Oil does not decompose ergo recycling
and converting it into biofuel is in order. In addition, landfills maybe
of some use after all. Landfills emanates polluting gas which contain
methane, a combustible gas which is the primary content of the gas we
use for cooking, and heat.
Liquid biofuels are getting generous media attention because of the
worsening air conditions in severely populated areas. Cars produce
almost 60% of our air pollution. Vehicles need highly combustible energy
so that it will function. Liquids and gases are easier to handle because
it can be contained and pumped, so handling is less expensive.
Biofuel And Cars
There are two types of biofuels that maybe used in cars: biodiesel and
bioethanol. Biofuel is very popular in Europe. In that part of the world
most car manufacturers make vehicles with diesel engines, so using
biodiesel instead of pure diesel is a relatively easy transition. If a
car is unmodified owners may blend up to 20% biodiesel with regular
diesel. Biodiesel comes from fats and used oils, these by products are
the processed through what’s transesterification. Transestirification is
a chemical reaction produced by adding an acid base to the fats. The
result is biodiesel.
Bioalcohol is produced when starch, sugar and cellulose are fermented.
The results are three popular types of alcohols: ethanol, butanol and
propanol. Among the three it is argued that either ethanol or biobutanol
maybe used in gasoline running cars, but it seems that biobutanol won
the bid because it now called biogasoline. Biogasoline is formed by
acetone, butanol, and ethanol fermentation and through scientific
modifications.
With social enlightenment and a new found concern for the welfare of the
environment more and more sustainable power resources are being
discovered and invented. When all hope seems to have been lost a new
glimmer looms in the horizon. It is heartening to see that men who cause
the slow but sure death of the earth are trying to find ways to help it
recover and be its vital self again.
About the Author: D. Benjamin is the owner of
iapsales.com LLC - a family business specializing in HVAC products. We
are distributors of
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