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The fuel derived from biomass is known as Biofuel. Since biomass is made of plant and animal wastes, biofuels are considered renewable sources of energy. They claim to be a viable, cost-effective and environment friendly alternative to fossil fuel. Let’s discuss some of the commonly used biofuels.
Wood
Wood is the most conventional and ancient biofuel. It is still used in many parts of the world for both domestic and industrial purposes. Wood is used as fuel in thermal power plants and industrial boilers. It is also used for cooking, heating homes, etc.
Ethanol
Ethanol, or bioalcohol, is the most common liquid biofuel used across the world. It is made by fermentation of sugar and starch found in plants like sugarcane, corn, molasses and wheat. Ethanol is used as a substitute for gasoline in petrol engines. The common practice today is the use of Gasohol, which is made by blending ethanol in certain proportion (generally 15%) with gasoline. Ethanol is more environmentally friendly as it has high octane and less carbon emission.
Biodiesel
Biodesel is the second most common liquid biofuel. Europe is the biggest producer and consumer of biodiesel. It is used in diesel engines. It is made from vegetable or animal oils and sourced mainly from plants like soybean, sunflower, palm or animal fats. Even used cooking oils from restaurants can be used for producing biodesel. Biodiesel is a clean biofuel as the amount of polluting gas it releases on burning is very low. Apart from running diesel engines in automobiles, it can also be used to run machinery in factories and farms.
Biobutanol
Biobutanol is the most promising biofuel with maximum potential. It can be directly used as a substitute for gasoline without any alterations. Also, it produces lesser greenhouse gases on burning as compared to gasoline. Biobutanol is derived from bacteria and algae. Research is being carried out globally to decrease its production cost and make it viable.
Biogas
Biogas is produced by fermentation of organic matter in absence of oxygen. This process is called anaerobic digestion. Organic matter used here can be paper, wood, certain plastics, dried foliage, manure, municipal waste, etc. Biogas burns easily, without producing much pollution. So it can be used as fuel. It can be compressed and used to power vehicles too.
As more progress is achieved with time to extract biofuels from agricultural wastes and woody crops (called second-generation biofuels), we will have more options to choose and use. Thus biofuels promise us a cleaner and better future.
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