Biofuel meaning (what is it, concept and definition)

What is Biofuel:

Biofuel is a term used to refer to all those fuels produced from biomass, that is, waste from plant organisms available in the current environment.

Biofuel components typically come from oilseeds, corn, sugarcane, wheat, cassava or cassava, soybeans or soybeans, eucalyptus, palm trees, sunflowers, pines, and algae oil.

The use of the prefix "bio" expresses that the fuel is renewable and, in theory, its use produces a lesser impact on the environment, that is, it favors sustainable consumption.

A positive factor in the biofuel production process is that plants, during their growth in large fields, tend to absorb carbon dioxide from the environment. However, the energy cost to process the raw material into biofuel is greater than its benefits.

In any case, many countries have forced to mix a percentage of biofuel with the fuel in use, in order to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, causing the greenhouse effect that affects global warming.

The possibility is studied that biofuel may be generated in the future from cellulose, a plant cell material that is resistant. For this, it would be necessary to exploit this potential in trees and grasses.

See also:

• Global warming. Combustion.

Biofuels classification

Depending on the raw material and the production process, biofuels can be classified into:

• First generation biofuel: those whose raw materials are agricultural. Second generation biofuel: those that use “non-organic food material”, such as non-food crops or waste oil, fruit peels, stems, wood shavings, etc. Third generation biofuel: like the previous generation, they come from biomass and waste, but microalgae adds to this option.

Types of biofuel available on the market

Biodiesel

This type of biofuel is generated from rapeseed or canola oil, as well as jatropha and soy.

Bioethanol

It is the biofuel that is generated from the alcoholic fermentation process of the sugars available in sugar cane and other products of plant origin

Biopropanol or biobutanol

They are the least widespread of biofuels. Biobutanol refers to butanol that is obtained from biomass, and that can be used as fuel in gasoline engines. Biopropanol, for its part, can be used in machinery such as washing machines, electric generators, helicopters, etc.

Difference between biofuel and fossil fuel

Both biofuel and fossil fuel come from the oxidation process of natural substances that have completed their life cycle.

However, biofuel differs from fossil fuel in two elements: on the one hand, its composition is derived from the plant kingdom. On the other hand, while fossil fuels result from natural but ancient processes, biofuel is formed from currently available plants, so these can be grown to maintain production.

See also:

• Fuel.Fossil fuel.