Algae can be formed in ponds or tanks on land or out at sea. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Linquipis a Professional Network for Equipment manufacturers, industrial customers, and service providers, Copyright 2022 Linquip Company. Most biofuels are formed from plant matter. These landfills not only spread foul smell but also contaminate underground water sources. Gasoline is refined from crude oil, a non-renewable resource. By using biofuels as an alternative energy source, we can reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, which can help to reduce our impact on the environment and contribute to a more sustainable energy system that is more locally based. Associate Professor of Engineering Systems and Atmospheric Chemistry, Engineering Systems Division and Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Other companies, such as Wheelabrator, simply fortify the gas and burn it directly to produce electricityalthough that can result in the emissions of toxic chemicals, such as dioxinsor employ additional complex chemical steps. This one relates to the little multicolored maps on the backs of seed packets. Bloomberg Businessweek. A number of factors play into any fuel's cost, both in economic and environmental terms, and biofuel doesn't always come out as the most sustainable option. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/impacts_genetic_engineering/environmental-effects-of.html, Naylor, Rosamond L. et al. It contributes to deforestation 4. However, some biofuel crops, such as corn and sugarcane, are considered to be water-intensive and their production requires large amounts of irrigation. . . But that price quickly reaches consumers. Monoculture refers to the practice of growing one heavily concentrated crop, rather than the rotation of various crops through a farmer's fields over time. Biodiesel is a non-toxic fuel producing lower emissions as compared to fossil fuels when burnt. Can Renewable Energies Solve the Grave Problem of Climate Change? Purdue Extension. Biofuels are less suitable for application in low temperatures. It takes up to 1.4 gallons of ethanol to replicate the mileage that 1 gallon of gasoline can provide. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. They produce industrial pollution. They emit less carbon dioxide and other emissions when burned than standard diesel. These emissions include carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels during the production process and nitrous oxide from soil that has been treated with nitrogen fertilizer. A number of existing power facilities burn grass, wood, or other kinds of biomass. However, fuel ethanol contains denaturants to make fuel ethanol undrinkable. "10 Disadvantages of Biofuels" Biofuels emit less of these "greenhouse gases" and so presumably contribute less to global warming. The production of biofuels can in some cases compete with food production in several ways. Biofuels are often not compatible with traditional fossil fuel infrastructure because they have different chemical and physical properties. Monoculture refers to the production of one concentrated crop rather than the rotating of different crops through a farmers field over time. What are the economic advantages of using biofuels? Adjunct Professor, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota. When the engine is running, the differences in combustion features between gasoline and ethanol means that the ethanol-converted engine needs to adjust its ignition timing to work correctly. These air pollutants can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems, as well as damage to crops, forests, and other ecosystems. Its application in transport industry would cut a big part of the air pollution originating from this growing industry [2]. Technical Challenges Perhaps the simplest drawback of biofuels is that it is not petroleum-based fuel so that they will work differently in engines developed for petroleum-based fuel. The liquid biofuel in greatest production is ethanol (ethyl alcohol), which is made by fermenting starch or sugar. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Matt Cunningham On the other end, if previously untouched natural ecosystem is transformed into a monoculture field than there is a high chance that pesticide pollution will appear and will affect the surrounding environment. Likewise, the nutrients that are put back into the soil through crop rotation and allowing fields to lay fallow disappear under intense monocultural farming. Biogas is methane generated in the process of anaerobic digestion of organic matter by anaerobes. Not Rotating the Crop 3. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Although it has been stated quite extensively that biofuels have an overall positive environmental impact, it may be well to explore the disadvantages of biofuels in this respect. (Nov. 19, 2010)http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_yield.html, Lau, Michael H. et al. The organic material that makes biofuels is made of carbon dioxide absorbed by plants from the atmosphere as they grew. They are cleaner fuels, meaning that they produce fewer emissions during burning. Although this is an economically attractive measure, the greater economic profitability for the farmer can make serious environmental disadvantages. That directly translates into more expensive bacon and ham at the grocery store [source: Carey]. Biofuel can be produced from plants or commercial, agricultural, domestic, or industrial wastes with a biological origin. Biofuels, on the other hand, are produced from biological materials, which are generally considered to be cleaner-burning than fossil fuels. Bioenergy can reduce the waste problem. Biofuels costs are affected by these fluctuations, so when the price of fossil fuels is high, biofuels can be more cost-competitive. Biofuels require agricultural land which is already limited. Therefore, the use of biofuels is less of a drain on the wallet. Additionally, they have a higher viscosity than fossil fuels, which can eventually lead to clogging or damage of fuel filters, injectors, and pumps. Biodiesel, that is produced from animal fats or vegetable oils, can be used as a replacement for diesel fuel in heavy-duty work vehicles like trucks or buses. University of Minnesota. PhotoAlto/James Hardy/Getty Images "Biofuel" is a major buzzword in transportation circles these days, and for good reason. Its lubricating properties are significantly better. Researchers found that the crop engineered to fight off a moth known as prey on corn created pollen that could kill larvae of the monarch butterfly. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/BiotechCrops/, Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security. With international trends swinging toward sustainable transportation, fuels such as corn-based ethanol and biodiesel from soy, switchgrass and palm oil seem like a good step toward cleaner, greener highways. Web. Some biofuel crops, such as corn and sugarcane, are considered to be high-input crops not only when it comes to water demand but even when it comes to the use of pesticides to protect them against insects, weeds, and diseases. But the conversions add time and money to the biofuel equation, something that can be off-putting for potential biofuel users. Biofuels refer to fuels made from plant materials. First, there is the issue of output. Compared to fossil fuels, biofuels are considered to be a more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy source due to their renewability and lower emissions of greenhouse gases during burning. To meet the increasing demand for biofuels, farmers may convert natural habitats, such as forests and grasslands, into croplands. With the removal of impurities from biogas, biomethane is produced. When biodiesel is utilized as a combustible fuel, the engine durability increases. If biofuels are obtained from sustainable farming of reclaimed lands, their production may be much less polluting in terms of not degrading land or freshwater resources compared to fossil fuels. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. The process is not always cost-effective: Yes, though it may pay cash to the contributors, the truth is this process needs a lot of money, time and land to set up a plant and run. The greenhouse emission potential of biofuel varies considerably, from levels comparable to fossil fuels in some situations to negative emissions in others. The biomass pretreatment is one of the keys to the best use of organic waste and thus enhance the production of a biogas plant. Since such feedstock material can be replenished readily, biofuel is considered to be a source of renewable energy, unlike fossil fuels such as petroleum, coal, and natural gas. "Biofuels and their Impact on Food Prices." This means that more biofuel is required to produce the same amount of energy as a smaller amount of fossil fuel. Bioenergy is energy derived from any fuel that is originated from biomass. The sun stores resources into these materials thanks to photosynthesis. But we must realize that nothing in life is straightforward and applicable to all situations. For example, the process of growing corn to produce ethanol consumes fossil fuels in farming equipment, in fertilizer manufacturing, in corn transportation, and in ethanol distillation. Incredibly safe. While the range of oil-producing products examined viable for biofuel is wide enough to grow in most zones, high-yield crops do not grow everywhere. It might seem counterintuitive at first, but some scientists argue that widespread biofuel production is a negative-sum game: Producing enough biodiesel or ethanol to replace one gallon of petroleum fuel, they argue, requires the energy equivalent to several gallons' worth of petroleum fuel [source: Pimentel]. For example, bioethanol and biodiesel have a higher tendency to absorb moisture than fossil fuels, which can cause corrosion in fuel systems and engines. All of these plants grow better when given fertilizer. Consumers living in a low-producing region need to have biofuel by moving through pipes or trucks to them. Similarly, nutrients that are returned to the soil through crop rotation and allow fields to lay fallow disappear under extreme monocultural farming. And high-consumption production practices -- moving palm oil with petroleum-powered trucks and the practice of draining and burning peat bogs to prepare farmland -- have made the southeast Asian nation one of the world's leading greenhouse gas emitters [source: Rosenthal]. 1. As of now, the cost of biofuels in the market is the same as gasoline. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.cnr.berkeley.edu/~agroeco3/modern_agriculture.html, Burpee. Corrections? Biofuels are an alternative to fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal). The major disadvantage to using algae to produce biofuels is the cost, which in part is due to the fact that the practice of using algae to produce biofuels is relatively new and requires additional research and development to find less costly production methods. Biofuels Advantages and Disadvantages in 2022. But if not done with an eye toward conserving resources and maintaining the spirit of reducing emissions through plant-based fuels, this ramping up of production can lead to greater environmental problems than the ones it's meant to solve. Biogas reduces Soil and water pollution. A 2009 study suggests that, in the rush to produce enough corn-based ethanol to meet federal alternative energy requirements, biofuel demand is already putting stress on fresh water supplies in the Great Plains and central Southwest [source: McKenna]. Pure ethanol is difficult to vaporize meaning starting a car in cold weather could be more difficult that a car that runs on petrol. The problem is even worse for pure vegetable oil, used as fuel in so-called "greasecars." It emits less harmful carbon compared to standard diesel. But that price quickly trickles down to consumers. And once the chemicals are in the water supply, bad things can happen. And again, not every climate region is suitable for a high-yield crop that could produce economically viable biodiesel [source: Burpee]. Biofuel is the fuel created through contemporary processes from biomass instead of the very gradual geological processes associated with the formation of fossil fuels, such as natural gas or oil. Let's look at some of the drawbacks of biofuels and gain a new perspective on the fuels we may see more of in the future. In many cases, biofuels can be produced from locally available resources. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Required fields are marked *. As a breeding ground for bacteria and other contaminants, landfills can allow pollution to contaminate the land, sea and air. Jan. 31, 2007. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) determines bioenergy as a renewable energy form. biofuel, any fuel that is derived from biomassthat is, plant or algae material or animal waste. During their combustion in furnaces and boilers, they produce heat just like fossil fuels do. Disadvantages of Biofuels. "Bioethanol." : Advantages & Disadvantages of. The second most common liquid biofuel is biodiesel, which is made primarily from oily plants (such as the soybean or oil palm) and to a lesser extent from other oily sources (such as waste cooking fat from restaurant deep-frying). Plantation owners prepared their operations to meet the demand . June 12-13, 2003. "You can place it in refineries throughout North America. The pure form of ethanol (E100) can be used as a fuel for vehicles, but it is usually applied as an additive to gasoline to increase octane and enhance vehicle emissions. But is this energy source such a positive news as it seems at the first glance? And while the range of oil-producing crops considered viable for biofuel production is wide enough to fit most growing zones, the most productive crops simply won't grow everywhere. "Modern Agriculture: Ecological impacts and the possibilities for truly sustainable farming." Synfuels still remain more expensive to produce than conventional fuels, mostly because more research, development and investment are necessary to make production economically viable. Furthermore, the burning of coal and oil raises the temperature and warms the planet. Researchers are investigating ways to genetically engineer less thirsty crops, and carefully planning what biofuel crops to plant in a given region can mitigate this problem [source: Lau]. Easy Guide to Cooling Tower Efficiency & How To Increase it, Parts of Boiler and Their Function in the Boilers, Types of Alternator: Features, Advantages, and Vast Usage, Ball Valve Parts: An Easy-to-Understand Guide (2022 Updated). One way to counter this lies in simple diplomacy: The globalization of world commerce means that it's now easier than ever to move food supplies from one part of the world to another in response to increased demand. In any case, the regeneration of biofuels is also not fast enough to be considered a renewable energy source. Studies show that biofuels decrease greenhouse gases by up to 65 percent. However, the cost of biofuel production has been decreasing in recent years due to advancements in technology and economies of scale. Ignorance Conclusion Biogas is used predominantly in the electricity sector. Disadvantages of Composting If the composted materials contain waste types such as animal or food waste there is a risk that diseases (for example "foot and mouth") may be spread in the compost. Natural Resources Research. However, ready access to food imports, and the ease of exporting, hinge on a wide range of political and social factors. Biofuel Disadvantage : Environmental Impact. Meanwhile, E4Tech's study Sustainable Aviation FuelsFuelling the Future estimates a potential global supply of up to . Compared with making ethanol from crops, the environmental benefits of making it from waste are clear: It diminishes the demand for landfills and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. The crops tend to be lesser varieties of the original, say of corn, for . Carbon monoxide emissions are lower than that . We are working hard to improve our content. Source: New York Times, June 2, 2017. Similarly, BlueFire Ethanol turns waste into ethanol by using sulfuric acid to release the cellulose in the trash and then adds enzymes and microbes to ferment it into fuel. Economic and environmental considerations, https://www.britannica.com/technology/biofuel, United States Environmental Protection Agency - Economics of Biofuels, biofuel - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Biofuel production is currently equivalent to just a tiny fraction. (Jan. 14, 2011)http://www.afpc.tamu.edu/pubs/2/446/RR%2006-2.pdf, McKenna, Phil. This factor could potentially limit the scale of biofuel production when it comes to upscaling their use. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Electro fuels are produced by storing electrical energy, and solar fuel is made from solar energy. Drivers of vehicles using these fuels often have heating units installed to keep the fuel tank and lines free from gelled fuel, or install dual-fuel systems that flush the engine with petroleum diesel on start-up and shut-down. Segregating organic waste from the garbage to generate Biogas considerably reduces wastes from landfills. As the name suggests, biofuels are derived from plant and their products. Biodiesel is not much better. Advantages of Biofuels. In theory, this seems to be a great way to keep up with the demand for biofuel crops. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2e12d729352bd1 But factor in a number of other complicating aspects, and biofuel often carries a heavy price. Such a material is said to be carbon neutral. In practice, however, the industrial production of agricultural biofuels can result in additional emissions of greenhouse gases that may offset the benefits of using a renewable fuel. This lack of compatibility is one of the reasons that biofuels have not been widely adopted as a replacement for fossil fuels. Overuse or inappropriate application can leave excess fertilizer in the soil, which then washes through regional watersheds and into streams, rivers, lakes and underground aquifers. As a result, looking for unsaturated oil as a biofuel source is reasonable. Your email address will not be published. And trash-based biofuels need not compete on cost with fuels, as long as they offer a lower cost than their other competitorlandfills. But the fertilizers can have detrimental effects on the environment, and expanded biofuel production could pose a major threat due to freshwater pollution. "The business of ethanol is a very substantial market opportunity," Chornet says. There is also no need to convert the engine. Producers that focus on a single cash crop each year face an increased risk of pest development, water pollution, and catastrophic failure. Biofuel and fertiliser can be made from putrefying gasses emitted by rotting food, in specialist containers called anaeorbic digestors. However, this is not the only reason to encourage the use of biofuels. A Lack of Food 5. Relying on produce from halfway around the globe to feed a hungry nation is a risky price to pay for widespread biofuel integration into the world's energy supplies. Or how animal fats, like whale oils, were used extensively in the 17th century to fuel lamps. Agricultural and Food Policy Center, Texas A&M University. Additionally, the cost of biofuels is affected by government policies and subsidies. Phosphorus has been implicated as a trigger of localized algae blooms: The tiny aquatic plants feed off it and rapidly reproduce, often killing other plants and aquatic animals by reducing the amount of oxygen in water or by releasing toxic chemicals. Less carbon emissions . The generation of biofuels, a priori, represents several advantages over obtaining fossil fuels used to get fossil energy.The main advantage is that the regeneration of resources does not take millions of years as it happens with coal, oil, or natural gas.. Disadvantages of Biofuels Despite the benefits, there are some disadvantages of biofuels that make the general population hesitant to use them. The molecular bonds in oils low in saturated fats, which stay liquid at lower temperatures, vary from those high in saturated fats, which often form solids in average temperature ranges. "Nature has not given us that selectivity to shift syngas to ethanol," notes chemical engineer Chornet, who started Enerkem in 2000 to make fuel from forestry residues, inspired by his father on Spain's island of Majorca, who made electricity by burning wood waste from his sawmill in the 1930s. So, it could be a threat to food security or access to adequate nutritious food for the population. Concerns have arisen mainly due to the lack of cover left to protect the resulting fallow fields from erosion from wind and rain. But there are also disadvantages. Utilization of Fertilizers 4. The production of biofuels often leads to land use changes, such as the conversion of natural habitats to cropland. One of the main advantages of biofuels is their relatively low cost. Many biofuel crops are applied to produce biodiesel. 2. Likewise, the fertilizer, water and land required to produce enough biofuel to reduce fossil fuel consumption significantly can create other problems, ranging from increased pollution to decreased access to food. #1 Land use changes and land grabbing In evaluating the economic benefits of biofuels, the energy required to produce them has to be taken into account. This undergraduate laboratory experiment educates students on the various alternative fuels that are being developed for automotive applications and the advantages and disadvantages of each. What are the disadvantages of biofuels? Just consider: biodiesel is a biodegradable fuel that releases less emissions when burned. But there's another complication that arises with this selection. This is due to the fact that biofuels are derived from renewable resources, such as crops and waste materials, which is more expensive to grow and process than fossil fuels. Farmers of corn, soybeans and cotton -- all potential biofuel sources -- are increasingly planting genetically modified versions of those plants [source: United States Department of Agriculture]. The use of waste biomass to generate energy can decrease waste management problems, pollution, greenhouse gaseous emissions and the use of fossil fuels. In addition, energy crops grown for biofuel can compete for the worlds natural habitats. Lets have a look at the main advantages of biofuels over fossil fuels: Biofuels replenish over time, whereas fossil fuels are non-renewable and will eventually run out. Deforestation. This way biofuels also decrease our dependence on foreign oil, which helps to reduce our trade deficit and improve energy security on a country level. This fuel is made from the decomposition of organic matter. Higher the diversity of plants, better natural resistance to diseases and pests. Lets explore the pros and cons of biofuels in order to better understand their future potential as our energy source. Converting from one fuel to the other, in some cases, needs a set of new injectors, gaskets, and fuel lines. But large-scale biofuel production -- especially using corn, and in arid parts of the world -- will have to share finite water resources with drinking and irrigation needs. Biofuel production utilizing food crops such as corn can drastically change the worlds access to cheap food. Dependence on Water and Oil Resources. The carbon footprint that the use of biofuels leaves is quite substantial. Soil, groundwater and air pollution. As a result, converting plant biomass to ethanol requires processing much larger amounts of feed stock to produce the same amount of biofuel than conventional biofuels. With aims such as reducing the costs of biofuel, it enables high-value products from biomass or waste resources, as well as the reduction in the cost of bioenergy production. According to some estimates, expansion by Indonesian palm oil plantations caused the vast majority of that nation's deforestation in the late '80s and '90s. It causes air pollution 3. The New York Times. Ethanol also absorbs water easily giving it a high tendency to corrode materials. In the long term, this may lead to a decrease in food availability, nutritional quality of available foods, diversity of food crops, and possibly endanger food security. Enerkem takes the "fluff" of municipal solid wastethe plastics, textiles and wood that isn't recycled or the leftovers of agriculture or forestrygasifies it and, using catalysts and water, transforms the gas via multiple chemical steps into ethanol or other products. A major concern people face is that the growing use of biofuels may also mean a growth in food prices. In small countries, or in municipalities where landfills are full and . Though ethanol and other biofuels are often promoted as clean, low-cost alternatives to gasoline, industrial corn and soy farming still have a harmful impact on the environment, just in a. But genetically modified crops have accidentally created unwanted and sometimes threatening traits like what happened during primary tests of a modified strain of corn. Also, It increases microbial growth in the engine, making the engine filters clogged. The ragged stripes stretching from east to west are growing zones: regions where water supply, temperature and sunlight make hospitable climates for certain types of plants. Some studies are underway to increase the yields of biofuel from weather-tolerant crops. Biofuel production boosts the demand for suitable biofuel products and strengthens the agriculture industry. Biofuel Disadvantages: In the creation of first generation biofuels, huge amounts of land are needed. Land Use Modifications 9. It leads to biodiversity do to the fact that a large amount of arable land is required to grow these crops and could see some natural habitats destroyed including rainforests 2. The symbols of agricultural success in many parts of the world are endless fields of corn, soybeans or wheat, with identical crops stretching as far as the eye can see. In diverting arable land and feedstock from the human food chain, biofuel production can affect the economics of food price and availability. In theory, this sounds like a terrific way to keep up with biofuel crop demand. Hundreds and even thousands of hectares of unbroken acres of one crop are an irresistible destination for plant pests; pest groups can explode uncontrollably in this tempting environment. It has the same advantages as for AD (items 3 to 6 inclusive) over spreading untreated organic waste material on land. You may think that biofuels are used mainly in transport, but thats not all. But there is another problem that appears with this selection. The energy that is obtained from biofuels is known as bioenergy. Many biofuel crops are used to make biodiesel. A number of manufacturers sell components for biodiesel and greasecar conversions, and intrepid tinkerers often find ways to overcome the gelling problem. (Jan. 14, 2011)http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ID/ID-346-W.pdf, Altieri, Miguel A. It increases costs as well as the emissions produced in production and transport.
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