Biofuel production uses carbon-based organic materials, often from plants or organic waste, to create liquids, solids, and gases for various applications. Governments fund research for this renewable resource to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Plant matter, such as sugarcane or corn, is fermented to produce alcohol-based fuel like ethanol, while plant-produced oils are converted into biodiesel through a transesterification process. Biofuels are cost-effective, less harmful to the environment, and a viable option for replacing non-renewable energy resources.
Biofuel production is the process of producing fuel from carbon-based organic materials. In most cases, this organic matter comes from plants but, in theory, almost any carbon-based organic material could be used to create alternative biofuels. In some cases, organic waste such as manure has even been collected for use in the biofuel production industry. Due to the ready availability of organic matter and the fact that it is a renewable resource, much research has been done in the field of biofuel production.
There are several forms of fuel created using biofuel production methods, including liquids, solids, and gases. These fuel types each have their own specific applications which may include tasks such as powering vehicles, powering heat, or laboratory use. While there are advantages and disadvantages to biofuels, continued research is making this type of fuel a viable option for replacing less renewable energy resources, such as oil and coal.
Biofuel production is often cited as a cost-effective measure for pollution and oil price control. Due to the lower production costs of these fuels and their less harmful effects on the environment, many governments are offering funding for biofuel research and development to reduce global dependence on fossil fuels. The most common methods of producing biofuels are those that use plant matter, relying on the natural sugar, starch or oil content of the plant.
Plants that are naturally high in sugar, such as sugarcane, or high in starch, such as corn, are used to produce biofuel through a fermentation process. The fermented organic material produces an alcohol-based fuel that can be used alone or mixed with other elements. A common example of this type of biofuel production is ethanol, which is used alone to power some modern vehicles or blended with traditional petroleum-based gasoline. In some cases, the organic material left over from the fermentation process is dried and compressed into pellets to form a solid fuel for heating furnaces and other applications.
Biofuel production methods that rely on plant-produced oils commonly use soybeans or seaweed. Algae biofuel and other petroleum-based biofuels can be used in unaltered form if sufficient heat is available. To utilize these biofuels within a normal operating range, however, the oils are often converted into biodiesel through a transesterification process. The inherent viscosity of the fuel is reduced in this process, making it easier to burn at lower temperatures and more useful as a fuel for machinery and vehicles.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
