Sunday, October 23, 2011

Biofuels

We are using Conventional fuel sources to meet our energy needs , transportation etc., Our energy needs has been increased many fold from Industrial revolution. In the near future the energy needs will increase more. But unfortunately our conventional fuel energy sources are limited.

What is the Solution ?

Biofuels is one of the Solution to the above problem. They are three Significant generation of biofuels
1. Biofuels from food crops
2. Biofuels from Cellulose
3. Biofuels from Algae

Food crops like Sugar cane , Corn are used to derive biofuel in the earlier days. But they are creating another problem . Problem is competing with food which feed lot of population. So  it is not a good option.

In the second generation technologies are developed to derive biofuels from Non food crops and any cellulose material.  Best example for India is Jastropha. But process cost is high.

Now the Researchers in the world wide are working to derive biofuel from  Algae which is abundant on earth and easy to cultivate.

Some biofuels will also be derived from Animal fats.

Examples of Biofuels are  Methanol , Ethanol. They have a high octane value when compared with conventional fuels. Methonol or Ethanol are mixed in a certain proportion with petroleum or diesel . These fuels reduce the harmful gas emissions like carbon monoxide.

Biofuels are regarded as a renewable option. Because the amount of carbon dioxide it is absorbed during growing is released by burning . There is no gain of excess green house gas.

The main challenge ahead for this technology is  cost competative and  reducing competion with food needs.

                                                                                                                  Thank you ...........
                                                                                                               Newton Einstein




No comments:

Post a Comment