Biofuel
Biofuel
Biofuel (/ˈbaɪoʊˌfjuːl/) is a type of fuel that is derived from biomass—plant or algae material or animal waste. Since such feedstock material can be replenished readily, biofuel is considered to be a source of renewable energy, unlike non-renewable fossil fuels.
Etymology
The term "biofuel" is derived from the Greek word "bios" meaning life and the English word "fuel". It was first used in the late 20th century, as scientists began to look for more sustainable energy sources.
Types of Biofuel
Biofuels can be divided into two main categories: bioethanol and biodiesel. Bioethanol is an alcohol made by fermenting the sugar components of plant materials and it is made mostly from sugar and starch crops. Biodiesel, on the other hand, is made from vegetable oils, animal fats or recycled greases.
Bioethanol
Bioethanol (/ˌbaɪoʊˈiːθənɒl/) is a form of biofuel produced by the fermentation of sugars by yeasts. The sugars are derived from starch or cellulose in plants. Bioethanol is commonly used as an additive to gasoline.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel (/ˌbaɪoʊˈdiːzəl/) is a form of biofuel that can be produced from straight vegetable oil, animal oil/fats, tallow and waste cooking oil. The process used to convert these oils to biodiesel is called transesterification.
Environmental Impact
Biofuels are considered to be a green alternative to fossil fuels. They are thought to be carbon neutral, as the carbon dioxide they produce when burnt is offset by the carbon dioxide absorbed by the plants used to produce them. However, the production of biofuels can have other environmental impacts, such as the use of land, water and other resources.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Biofuel
- Wikipedia's article - Biofuel
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