What are Biofuels?
December 17th 2010 00:26
Biofuels are fuels made from biomass. Biofuels could cover terms such as solid biomass, liquid fuels and some biogases. Biofuels are gaining popularity with the public due to a couple of certain factors. One of the main factors being the rise of oil prices driving the price of gas up. the other factors includes issues over greenhouse gas. With our fossil fuels being used up at a massive rate they will not last forever. we will take a look at a couple types of biofuel.
Biodiesel is vegetable oil and recycled grease. Biodiesel can also be used in it's full form also. It also is commonly used as and additive to diesel. This helps to reduce the levels of carbon dioxide and hydro carbons from diesel powered vehicles. At Northshore Technical College campus in Bogalusa, La. where I am currently teaching autocad and construction classes the diesel mechanic department are currently experimenting with a diesel truck using recycled grease from a local resturant. One funny thing about this vehicle it smells like fried chicken when it is running.
There are pros and cons when it comes to anykind of technology. Let us take at some pros and cons when it comes to biofuel.
PROS:
It will definatley help to keep our environment clean by lowering emissions.
It will reduce our dependent on fossill fuels that cannot be replaced. Look at the great amount of this non-renewable resource that we are quickly depleting away.
It will help also help our air to be cleaner.
Help reduce the rising price of oil.
Help us not to be so dependent on foriegn oil.
CONS:
Studies have shown that it takes about as much energy to produce as the proccess produces. In other words you get out the same energy as it takes to produce biofuels so we really aren't savung much here.
The more the resources such as wheat and rice and corn are used it will drive up the prices of food. To produce 5% biofuel it takes uses as much as 50% of that particular crop. That is a huge amountto pay for the amount of return you get.
Just like any other step we take to try to conserve and make our world a better place and cleaner place to live there will always be a challenge before us. Eventually we will have to turn to renwable ersources whatever the cost may be because onne day the non-renwable resources will be gone. I am well behind the study of biofuels to help make it in a more feesable manor so that everyone can benefit. I am sure that whatever problems that it creates it we have to be addressed because we have no other choice!
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