Biofuel - Revision history

Red marquis: /* Biomass */

2009-08-22T20:59:47Z

Biomass

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	When biomass is combusted to produce heat, it releases carbon than was absorbed by the plant material during the plant's lifecycle. This is because (1) approximately one third of the carbon absorbed by the plant during its life is sequestered in its roots, which are left in the soil to rot and fertilize nearby plant life, and (2) combustion of biomass produces 1-10% solid ash (depending on type of plant used), which is extremely high in carbon (this ash is commonly used as fertilizer).		When biomass is combusted to produce heat, it releases carbon than was absorbed by the plant material during the plant's lifecycle. This is because (1) approximately one third of the carbon absorbed by the plant during its life is sequestered in its roots, which are left in the soil to rot and fertilize nearby plant life, and (2) combustion of biomass produces 1-10% solid ash (depending on type of plant used), which is extremely high in carbon (this ash is commonly used as fertilizer).

	Animal waste is a persistent and unavoidable pollutant produced primarily by the animals housed in industrial-size farms. Researchers from Washington University have figured out a way to turn manure into [[biomass]]. In April 2008 with the help of imaging technology they noticed that vigorous mixing helps microorganisms turn farm waste into alternative energy, providing farmers with a simple way to treat their waste and convert it into energy.<ref> New study advances method to make energy from farm waste, [http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-04-17-3411772115_x.htm], 4/17/2008.</ref>		Animal waste is a persistent and unavoidable pollutant produced primarily by the animals housed in industrial-size farms. Researchers from Washington University have figured out a way to turn manure into biomass. In April 2008 with the help of imaging technology they noticed that vigorous mixing helps microorganisms turn farm waste into alternative energy, providing farmers with a simple way to treat their waste and convert it into energy.<ref> New study advances method to make energy from farm waste, [http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/2008-04-17-3411772115_x.htm], 4/17/2008.</ref>

	There are also agricultural products specifically grown for biofuel production including corn, switchgrass, and soybeans, primarily in the United States; rapeseed, wheat and sugar beet primarily in Europe; sugar cane in Brazil; palm oil and miscanthus in South-East Asia; sorghum and cassava in China; and jatropha and pongamia pinnata in India; pongamia pinnata in Australia and the tropics. Hemp has also been proven to work as a biofuel. Biodegradable outputs from industry, agriculture, forestry and households can be used for biofuel production, either using anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, or using second generation biofuels; examples include straw, timber, manure, rice husks, sewage, and food waste. Biomass can come from waste plant material. The use of biomass fuels can therefore contribute to waste management as well as fuel security and help to prevent global warming, though alone they are not a comprehensive solution to these problems.		There are also agricultural products specifically grown for biofuel production including corn, switchgrass, and soybeans, primarily in the United States; rapeseed, wheat and sugar beet primarily in Europe; sugar cane in Brazil; palm oil and miscanthus in South-East Asia; sorghum and cassava in China; and jatropha and pongamia pinnata in India; pongamia pinnata in Australia and the tropics. Hemp has also been proven to work as a biofuel. Biodegradable outputs from industry, agriculture, forestry and households can be used for biofuel production, either using anaerobic digestion to produce biogas, or using second generation biofuels; examples include straw, timber, manure, rice husks, sewage, and food waste. Biomass can come from waste plant material. The use of biomass fuels can therefore contribute to waste management as well as fuel security and help to prevent global warming, though alone they are not a comprehensive solution to these problems.

Red marquis: /* Liquid fuels for transportation */

2009-08-22T20:59:15Z

Liquid fuels for transportation

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	Most transportation fuels are liquids, because vehicles usually require high energy density, as occurs in liquids and solids. Vehicles usually need high power density as can be provided most inexpensively by an [[internal combustion engine]]. These engines require clean burning fuels, in order to keep the engine clean and minimize air pollution.		Most transportation fuels are liquids, because vehicles usually require high energy density, as occurs in liquids and solids. Vehicles usually need high power density as can be provided most inexpensively by an [[internal combustion engine]]. These engines require clean burning fuels, in order to keep the engine clean and minimize air pollution.

	The fuels that are easier to burn cleanly are typically liquids and ~~[[gas]]es~~. Thus liquids (and gases that can be stored in liquid form) meet the requirements of being both portable and clean burning. Also, liquids and gases can be pumped, which means handling is easily mechanized, and thus less laborious.		The fuels that are easier to burn cleanly are typically liquids and gases. Thus liquids (and gases that can be stored in liquid form) meet the requirements of being both portable and clean burning. Also, liquids and gases can be pumped, which means handling is easily mechanized, and thus less laborious.

	== Types ==		== Types ==

Red marquis: /* Bioalcohols */

2009-08-22T20:55:18Z

Bioalcohols

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	{{Main\|Alcohol fuel}}		{{Main\|Alcohol fuel}}

	Biologically produced alcohols, most commonly ethanol, and less commonly propanol and butanol, are produced by the action of microorganisms and [[enzyme~~]]s~~ through the fermentation of sugars or starches (easiest), or cellulose (which is more difficult). Biobutanol (also called biogasoline) is often claimed to provide a direct replacement for [[gasoline]], because it can be used directly in a gasoline engine (in a similar way to biodiesel in diesel engines).		Biologically produced alcohols, most commonly ethanol, and less commonly propanol and butanol, are produced by the action of microorganisms and enzyme through the fermentation of sugars or starches (easiest), or cellulose (which is more difficult). Biobutanol (also called biogasoline) is often claimed to provide a direct replacement for [[gasoline]], because it can be used directly in a gasoline engine (in a similar way to biodiesel in diesel engines).

	Butanol is formed by ABE fermentation (acetone, butanol, ethanol) and experimental modifications of the process show potentially high net energy gains with butanol as the only liquid product. Butanol will produce more energy and allegedly can be burned "straight" in existing gasoline engines (without modification to the engine or car), and is less corrosive and less water soluble than ethanol, and could be distributed via existing infrastructures. DuPont and BP are working together to help develop Butanol. E. coli have also been successfully engineered to produce Butanol by hijacking their amino acid metabolism.		Butanol is formed by ABE fermentation (acetone, butanol, ethanol) and experimental modifications of the process show potentially high net energy gains with butanol as the only liquid product. Butanol will produce more energy and allegedly can be burned "straight" in existing gasoline engines (without modification to the engine or car), and is less corrosive and less water soluble than ethanol, and could be distributed via existing infrastructures. DuPont and BP are working together to help develop Butanol. E. coli have also been successfully engineered to produce Butanol by hijacking their amino acid metabolism.

Red marquis: /* External links */

2009-08-21T17:00:49Z

External links

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	==External links==		==External links==
	* [http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/stations_locator.html Alternative Fueling Station Locator] ([[EERE]]).		* [http://www.eere.energy.gov/afdc/fuels/stations_locator.html Alternative Fueling Station Locator] (EERE).
	* [http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/94953.aspx Biofuels guidance for businesses, including permits and licences required] on NetRegs.gov.uk		* [http://www.netregs.gov.uk/netregs/94953.aspx Biofuels guidance for businesses, including permits and licences required] on NetRegs.gov.uk
	* [http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/apr08/6182 How Much Water Does It Take to Make Electricity?] -- Natural gas requires the least water to produce energy, some biofuels the most, according to a new study.		* [http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/apr08/6182 How Much Water Does It Take to Make Electricity?] -- Natural gas requires the least water to produce energy, some biofuels the most, according to a new study.

Red marquis: /* Further reading */

2009-08-21T17:00:26Z

Red marquis: /* Issues related to the large scale development and implementation of biofuels */

2009-08-21T16:59:44Z

Issues related to the large scale development and implementation of biofuels

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	== Issues related to the large scale development and implementation of biofuels ==		== Issues related to the large scale development and implementation of biofuels ==
	According to the Swedish researcher Dr. Magnus Blinge, Chalmers Technical University, replacing all oil used in Europe by cellulose based bio-fuels would require 1,000 production plants for bio-fuels, each would need deliveries of 450 truckloads of wood every day. This would require an entirely new production and distribution system for fuels.		According to the Swedish researcher Dr. Magnus Blinge, Chalmers Technical University, replacing all oil used in Europe by cellulose based bio-fuels would require 1,000 production plants for bio-fuels, each would need deliveries of 450 truckloads of wood every day. This would require an entirely new production and distribution system for fuels.
	In a booklet in Swedish (“Med klimatfrågan i fokus”, Volvo AB, Gothenburg 2007) published by the truck and bus company Volvo AB, the merits of seven different bio-fuels and engine solutions are briefly described and analyzed. Volvo finds that the most promising fuel, based on the criteria of the analysis, is [[DME]] (Dimethyl ether). Overall, the CEO of Volvo, [[Leif Johansson]], concludes that high level political agreements between nations will become necessary in order to implement bio-fuels on a large scale. This is because transportation systems are cross border, and these and the climate issue do not stop at country borders. In order for Volvo, to do its part in the development of the renewable fuels of the future, politicians need to decide which fuels that are going to be used on a large scale in the future.		In a booklet in Swedish (“Med klimatfrågan i fokus”, Volvo AB, Gothenburg 2007) published by the truck and bus company Volvo AB, the merits of seven different bio-fuels and engine solutions are briefly described and analyzed. Volvo finds that the most promising fuel, based on the criteria of the analysis, is DME (Dimethyl ether). Overall, the CEO of Volvo, [[Leif Johansson]], concludes that high level political agreements between nations will become necessary in order to implement bio-fuels on a large scale. This is because transportation systems are cross border, and these and the climate issue do not stop at country borders. In order for Volvo, to do its part in the development of the renewable fuels of the future, politicians need to decide which fuels that are going to be used on a large scale in the future.
	Some authors, such as US congressman Jay Inslee and environmentalist Bracken Hendricks go even further. In their book “Apollo’s Fire”, with a foreword by President Bill Clinton, argue that a planned development program similar to the Apollo program will become necessary in order to transform US energy systems on a large scale.		Some authors, such as US congressman Jay Inslee and environmentalist Bracken Hendricks go even further. In their book “Apollo’s Fire”, with a foreword by President Bill Clinton, argue that a planned development program similar to the Apollo program will become necessary in order to transform US energy systems on a large scale.

Red marquis: /* Issues with biofuel production and use */

2009-08-21T16:59:19Z

Issues with biofuel production and use

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	==Issues with biofuel production and use==		==Issues with biofuel production and use==
	~~{{Main\|Issues relating to biofuels}}~~
	There are various current issues with biofuel production and use, which are presently being discussed in the popular media and scientific journals. These include: the effect of moderating [[oil prices]], the "[[food vs fuel]]" debate, [[carbon emissions]] levels, [[sustainable biofuel]] production, [[deforestation]] and [[soil erosion]], impact on [[water resources]], [[human rights]] issues, [[poverty reduction]] potential, biofuel prices, energy balance and efficiency, and centralised versus decentralised production models.

			There are various current issues with biofuel production and use, which are presently being discussed in the popular media and scientific journals. These include: the effect of moderating oil prices, the "food vs fuel" debate, carbon emissions levels, sustainable biofuel production, deforestation and soil erosion, impact on water resources, human rights issues, poverty reduction potential, biofuel prices, energy balance and efficiency, and centralised versus decentralised production models.

	== Issues related to the large scale development and implementation of biofuels ==		== Issues related to the large scale development and implementation of biofuels ==

Red marquis: /* Biofuels by region */

2009-08-21T16:58:46Z

Biofuels by region

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	==Biofuels by region==		==Biofuels by region==
	~~{{Main\|Biofuels by region}}~~
	Recognizing the importance of implementing bioenergy, there are international organizations such as IEA Bioenergy,<ref> [http://www.ieabioenergy.com/IEABioenergy.aspx IEA bioenergy] </ref> established in 1978 by the [[OECD~~]] [[~~International Energy Agency]] (IEA), with the aim of improving cooperation and information exchange between countries that have national programs in bioenergy research, development and deployment. The ~~[[United Nations\|~~U.N.]] International Biofuels Forum is formed by [[Brazil]], [[China]], [[India]], [[South Africa]], the [[United States]] and the [[European Commission]].<ref> {{cite web		Recognizing the importance of implementing bioenergy, there are international organizations such as IEA Bioenergy,<ref> [http://www.ieabioenergy.com/IEABioenergy.aspx IEA bioenergy] </ref> established in 1978 by the OECD International Energy Agency (IEA), with the aim of improving cooperation and information exchange between countries that have national programs in bioenergy research, development and deployment. The U.N. International Biofuels Forum is formed by Brazil, China, India, South Africa, the United States and the European Commission.<ref> {{cite web
	\| url= http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2007/070302_Biofuels.doc.htm		\| url= http://www.un.org/News/briefings/docs/2007/070302_Biofuels.doc.htm
	\| title= Press Conference Launching International Biofuels Forum		\| title= Press Conference Launching International Biofuels Forum
	\| date= 2007-03-02 \| publisher= [[United Nations]] Department of Public Information		\| date= 2007-03-02 \| publisher= United Nations Department of Public Information
	\|pages= \|language= \|doi= \|archiveurl= \|archivedate= \|quote=		\|pages= \|language= \|doi= \|archiveurl= \|archivedate= \|quote=
	\| accessdate= 2008-01-15 }} </ref> The world leaders in biofuel development and use are Brazil, United States, France, Sweden and Germany.		\| accessdate= 2008-01-15 }} </ref> The world leaders in biofuel development and use are Brazil, United States, France, Sweden and Germany.

	~~{{See also\|Biodiesel around the world}}~~

	==Issues with biofuel production and use==		==Issues with biofuel production and use==

Red marquis: /* Types */

2009-08-21T16:56:39Z

Types

Show changes

Red marquis at 16:33, 21 August 2009

2009-08-21T16:33:37Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:33, 21 August 2009
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			{{cleanup}}

	'''Biofuel''' is defined as solid, liquid or gaseous [[fuel]] obtained from relatively recently lifeless or living biological material and is different from [[fossil fuel]]s, which are [[petroleum#formation\|derived from long dead biological material]]. Also, various plants and plant-derived materials are used for biofuel manufacturing.		'''Biofuel''' is defined as solid, liquid or gaseous [[fuel]] obtained from relatively recently lifeless or living biological material and is different from [[fossil fuel]]s, which are [[petroleum#formation\|derived from long dead biological material]]. Also, various plants and plant-derived materials are used for biofuel manufacturing.

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	* [[Hybrid vehicle]]		* [[Hybrid vehicle]]
	\|}		\|}

	~~==References==~~
	~~{{reflist\|2}}~~

	==Further reading==		==Further reading==

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	==Further reading==		==Further reading==
	* {{cite book\|title=Biofuels Engineering Process Technology\|author=Caye Drapcho, Nhuan Phú Nghiêm, Terry Walker \|month=August \| year=2008 \|publisher=[McGraw-Hill] \|isbn=0071487492; 9780071487498 \|url=http://www.mhprofessional.com/product.php?isbn=0071487492}}
	* {{cite book\|title=A Biofuels Compendium\|author=IChemE Energy Conversion Technology Subject Group\|month=May \| year=2009 \|publisher=[IChemE] \|isbn= 9780852955338 \|url=http://www.icheme.org/biofuelscompendium}}
	* [http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/sec/2007/0055/COM_SEC(2007)0055_EN.pdf Fuel Quality Directive Impact Assessment]		* [http://www.europarl.europa.eu/registre/docs_autres_institutions/commission_europeenne/sec/2007/0055/COM_SEC(2007)0055_EN.pdf Fuel Quality Directive Impact Assessment]
	* [http://www.future-science.com/page/journal/bfl/teaser.jsp Biofuels Journal]		* [http://www.future-science.com/page/journal/bfl/teaser.jsp Biofuels Journal]