About
Biofuel is a source of energy that is extracted from living organisms. Corn, Beets, Sugar Cane, and Green algae are just a few examples of products that can be processed into Biomass fuels. Throughout the decades many countries have used Biomass fuels for fueling. During World War II the Nazi’s used alcohol extracted from potatoes as a means to fuel their vehicles for war. During the early 1900’s, both Otto the inventor of the combustion engine and Ford the inventor of the Ford T model used Ethanol to test combustion engines. Today, countries such as Brazil use Ethanol to fuel their vehicles. Many countries are funding Biomass research and production in order to stop purchasing expensive fuels and to prevent pollution from being released into the environment.
Why has it taken us so long to realize that Biofuels are better and allot cheaper than gasoline? How Biomass produced and what are the different kinds? These are all very important questions. If the Nazi’s used alcohol to generate their vehicles in the early 1940’s, why has it taken America decades to realize that Biofuels are allot better and cheaper than diesel and gasoline? During the early 1900’s America didn’t have the technology to produce large amounts of Biomass fuels. Lack of technology during the 1900’s, made Biomass production allot more expensive than gasoline and diesel. Today, the more advanced technology has made Biomass production very cheap. Two major techniques are used to produce Biomass fuels. Yeast Fermentation is used to convert Sugar Cane and Sugar Beets into Biomass fuels. Oil is extracted and heated from crops like Maize and Corn. The oil is heated till it reaches minimum viscosity. These oils are then used to generate power in diesel engines. Maize, Corn, Beets, Green algae, Sugar Cane, Wood, land fills, and dried manure are some sources that can be used to generate biomass fuels.
Although Biofuels have proven to produce less pollution to the environment, not all biomass fuels are safe. In 2007 Scientists discovered that Maize and Corn release large amounts of Nitrous Oxide to the environment. Nitrous Oxide is a very harmful substance to Earth’s atmosphere. Like Green House Gases Nitrous Oxide causes global warming. This substance is capable of degrading earth’s atmosphere. Ethanol has proven to be much safer. Ethanol is a substance that is extracted from Sugar Cane. Ethanol is very cheap to produce. Recent studies conducted by the United States government, have shown that Ethanol has helped create 160,000 jobs and has helped the U.S generate $40 Billion dollars. Biofuels can help us save loads of money from purchasing expensive fossil fuels. Sugar Cane isn’t the only safe crop. Green Algae have proven to be very safe and cheap to use. Green Algae produce oils that can be used as Biofuels. Unlike other crops, Green Algae are a lot cheaper to grow and take up less land. It is estimated that Green Algae produced 30 times more energy per acre of land. The United States Department of Energy claims that it will take 15,000 square miles of Green Algae in order to replace all of the United States Petroleum. Fifteen thousand Square miles is a few thousand miles larger than the state of Maryland. Many Biofuel crops have proven to be safe and very cheap to produce.
Today, Scientists have discovered that Costa Rican Termites are the key to producing Biofuels. How in the world can a tiny ant create Biomass Fuel? It is quiet interesting. When the termite eats wood, the wood is then processed into the termite’s stomach. Enzymes located in the Termites digestive system break down the wood producing sugar. That sugar can under go Fermentation thus, producing Biomass fuel. It is amazing that an insect so small can generate biomass fuel by digesting wood.
Stephanie Marie Volante is currently studying Electrical Engineering at the University of Miami. Stephanie hopes that one day the US will be able to generate enough Biomass fuel for the 300,000,000 million US citizens currently living in the United States. She believes that the US should be a lot less dependant on Petroleum gas, considering the fact that the US is the number consumer of Petroleum in the world. I recently interviewed Stephanie a series of questions on Biomass fuels:
1. Recent studies have shown that Maize, and Corn produce large amounts of Nitrous Oxide in our environment. Do you believe this is true? If yes, what are other means of producing Biofuels? Being that I have not done studies of my own on this point, I can only rely on the research of others. There are many other ways of producing biofuels. Other crops usable include sugar, beets, and soybeans.Vegetable oil and even algae are also options.
2. When did you first become interested in Biofuel Production?
I have always been an environmentalist, and I had this idea that I would buy an old diesel Mercedes-Benz and refine vegetable oil for fuel in my backyard. It didn’t happen, but it would be pretty cool.
3. Which crop do you think is best to use for Biofuel production? Why?
I personally like vegetable oil. You can get it used from restaurants or food production plants, filter it, and you have fuel! Existing diesel cars can use this oil, though the car needs a bit of modification.
4. How do you expect the US to replace millions of combustion
vehicles with Biofuel engines? How long do you think it’ll take for car
companies such as Cadillac, Honda, Nissan, to generate Biofuel engines?
It’s definitely not happening in the near future. It will take many
years before biofuel catches on in the mainstream. People need to be
educated about the advantages of biofuel, and it would take many years for
attitudes to change.
5. What are some future goals and studies of Biofuel production?
Finding a reliable, environmentally-friendly crop to use for fuel is
very important, as most biofuel is made with corn-based ethanol.
Education is also very important – about the environment in general as well
as that biofuels can be as reliable and efficient as gasoline. Hopefully
these changes can bee seen sooner than later.
