Biofuels and biomass energy sources of tomorrow
Biofuels from Renewable Energy Sources like Plants and Algae
Biofueling includes alot of biomass sources besides corn. There are new biofuel plants being tested and developed, such as switchgrass and jatropha seed oil.
Biofuels and biomass energy sources of tomorrow
The term biofuel refers to solids, liquids or gases which can be burned to produce energy, and are produced from recently grown plants, or animal products, including wastes. This is in contrast to fossil fuels (coal, oil, etc) which come from long-dead plants.
However, there are many promising alternatives to ethanol, and many sources of energy besides corn. Ethanol is produced when plants high in sugar are fermented and the resulting ethyl alcohol is captured. Biodiesel is the term for the fuel extracted from plants with a high oil content. Common examples are palm and soybeans. The cellulose from any wood, grasses, or stalks can also be converted to alcohol but to date this process is not economical.
Ethanol can only be burned in vehicles specially adapted. Biodiesel, on the other hand, can be burned in any vehicle that accepts regular diesel fuel, although not all vehicles currently on the road can use 100% biodiesel.
Promising sources of biofuels which are not agrofuels (grown specifically for fuel production) are algae, used coffee grounds, used vegetable oil, wastes from slaughterhouses, animal wastes, and other biological wastes, such as the whey from cheese production.
Biodiesel manufacture is becoming increasingly common around the globe, and looks promising for the future.
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