What are Biofuels

The liquid fuels that can be obtained from biomass like plant matter or by the waste that living creatures produce, such as manure is known as Biofuels. The extensive range of organic materials used for biofuel production includes starch and sugary plants such as corn, wheat or sugar cane; oily plants such as rape seed, soya beans or jatropha; vegetable oils and animal fats; wood and straw.

First Generation Biofuels

Examples of 1st generation biofuels are bioethanol from starch or sugar crops and biodiesel from oil-rich plants. As these fuels are primarily derived from crops, they divert food away from the human food chain.

Second Generation Biofuels

Almost all Second generation biofuels are new technologies and do not have commercial production. Sources include agricultural waste such as corn stover, straw and bagasse; industrial waste such as sawdust and paper pulp; woody biomass from forestry; municipal solid waste including household food and garden waste and paper products.

Biofuels Advantages

1. Renewable – Biofuels are produced from plants and other organic material, so it can be replenished constantly. They are  non-toxic, biodegradable and greenhouse gas neutral. This is in contrast to the fossil fuels, which are constantly in the process of being depleted.
2. Clean – Biofuels are environment-friendly. They are much efficient & cleaner than fossil fuels, producing less air pollution and using materials that would otherwise be considered as waste products. Biofuels cause much less greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to the conventional types of transport fuels.
3. Energy Security – The main reason for propogating the use of biofuels and making it mandatory in the USA was for energy security reasons is estimated that the military cost of securing foreign oil is between $45 – $115 Billion.

4. Inexpensive – They can be made easily by using local materials. Biofuels are very cheap to afford. They are the cheapest types of fuels available in the world.
5. Flexible – can be easily mixed with other fuels. When you want to use Biodiesel in a a conventional petrodiesel engine it is not necessary to make any modifications to that engine whatsoever.
6. Additives – Biofuels like ethanol and biodiesel are better for car engines than fossil fuels. Even if not being used as the main fuel source, they can be used as additives to improve performance.
7. Carbon neutral – the amount of carbon dioxide created by the burning of biofuels is equal to the CO2 absorption capacity of the plants. Hence, no extra CO2 remains in the atmosphere. it releases up to 78% less Carbon Dioxide than conventional petroleum diesel. This green fuel does not contain any sulphur and using it results in a significant reduction of unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide and particulate matter.
8. Waste Reduction – Second Generation Biofuels make use of waste matter mostly which is not only good for utilizing the industrial, agricultural and municipal waste but also generating fuel. Most of the disadvantages of 1st generation biofuels is removed in the second generation.