As the term suggests, bio-fuels are fuels that are formed when biological matter decomposes. The bio-fuels are mostly derived from plants. Bio-fuels exist in all the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.
Biofuels differ from fossil fuels in that they can be made extremely fast (ie not take millions of years to form like fossil fuels do), that they generate a smaller amount of pollution when used, and that they are more 'renewable' than fossil fuels because of their regeneration time.
Bio-fuels have been categorized into four types: first generation, second generation, third generation, and fourth generation.
The first generation bio-fuels are derived from vegetable fats, starch, and sugar, which are in turn derived from food-crops. The first generation fuels are also derived from animal fats. Biogas, bio-diesel, and vegetable oil are some examples of this type of bio-fuels.
The second generation of bio-fuels is mainly derived from waste biomass, thus making it a more balanced option compared to the first-generation bio-fuels. Different kinds of alcohols and diesel generated from wood fall into the category of second generation bio-fuels.
The 3rd generation comes from algae. Algae can be farmed on a large scale for this purpose, and the fuel that algae produces is usually very environmentally friendly.
The bio-fuels in the fourth generation are derived by a method in which micro-organisms are raised to work with carbon dioxide to generate fuel.
Some advantages of biofuels include these: 1. They will lessen the burden on fossil fuels because they are a much more renewable source of energy. 2. They are much more environmentally friendly compared with fossil fuels. Many of them are compostable. 3. Many biofuels, especially biodiesel, are becoming much cheaper for consumer use.
Biofuels also have some disadvantages. These include: 1. The problem with biofuel crops taking up farm land in places where food is at a premium. Many people believe that food should always take priority over energy. 2. Many acres of land will be farmed as our dependence on these fuels begins to grow.
Biofuels differ from fossil fuels in that they can be made extremely fast (ie not take millions of years to form like fossil fuels do), that they generate a smaller amount of pollution when used, and that they are more 'renewable' than fossil fuels because of their regeneration time.
Bio-fuels have been categorized into four types: first generation, second generation, third generation, and fourth generation.
The first generation bio-fuels are derived from vegetable fats, starch, and sugar, which are in turn derived from food-crops. The first generation fuels are also derived from animal fats. Biogas, bio-diesel, and vegetable oil are some examples of this type of bio-fuels.
The second generation of bio-fuels is mainly derived from waste biomass, thus making it a more balanced option compared to the first-generation bio-fuels. Different kinds of alcohols and diesel generated from wood fall into the category of second generation bio-fuels.
The 3rd generation comes from algae. Algae can be farmed on a large scale for this purpose, and the fuel that algae produces is usually very environmentally friendly.
The bio-fuels in the fourth generation are derived by a method in which micro-organisms are raised to work with carbon dioxide to generate fuel.
Some advantages of biofuels include these: 1. They will lessen the burden on fossil fuels because they are a much more renewable source of energy. 2. They are much more environmentally friendly compared with fossil fuels. Many of them are compostable. 3. Many biofuels, especially biodiesel, are becoming much cheaper for consumer use.
Biofuels also have some disadvantages. These include: 1. The problem with biofuel crops taking up farm land in places where food is at a premium. Many people believe that food should always take priority over energy. 2. Many acres of land will be farmed as our dependence on these fuels begins to grow.
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