Easier availability of biomass, its low cost, and cheaper technologies involved mean producing bioenergy is cheaper when compared to most energy sources, especially fossil fuels. 2. Performance & security by Cloudflare. Biofuels refer to fuels made from plant materials. And once the engine's running, the differences in combustion properties between gasoline and ethanol means that the ethanol-converted engine needs to have its ignition timing adjusted to operate properly [source: Tsuneishi]. Natural Resources Research. Common fertilizers include nitrogen and phosphorus. Some algal species contain up to 40 percent lipids by weight, which can be converted into biodiesel or synthetic petroleum. The production and use of biofuels generates significantly less greenhouse gas emissions than the production and use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Other biofuel crops, such as switchgrass and miscanthus, are considered to be more water-efficient and need less water for irrigation. Studies show that the machinery needed to cultivate the crops emits large carbon emissions. The simple economic system of supply and demand of biofuels increases the demand for corn, for example, and it becomes more expensive. Biofuels can require significant amounts of water for irrigation and processing, which can lead to water depletion and competition with other water uses, including even water for households, or for food production. Scientists sounded the alarm, and further tests by academic and industry researchers confirmed that the corn's pollen posed a threat to monarchs. Fossil fuels are non-renewable and release greenhouse gases during their combustion. Discover world-changing science. DISADVANTAGES OF BIOETHANOL 1. Biogas and syngas are two types of gaseous biofuels. It also prevents crop rotation and in turn prevents the soil from recovery from nutritional depletion. and environmental chaos ensued. Advantages and Disadvantages of Biomass Energy Biomass Energy . "Biofuels and their Impact on Food Prices." The production of biofuels often leads to land use changes, such as the conversion of natural habitats to cropland. Biofuels are considered carbon neutral because the carbon dioxide emitted when they are burned is offset by the carbon dioxide that was absorbed by the plants during photosynthesis. A 2005 study suggested that, using current farming and production technology, it takes anywhere from 27 to 118 percent more energy to produce a gallon of biodiesel than the energy it contains [source: Pimentel]. The transition to biofuels will affect especially economic sectors of agriculture, manufacture, reprocessing, recycling, and transportation. In evaluating the economic benefits of biofuels, the energy required to produce them has to be taken into account. There are four generations of biofuels based on how they are made. Perhaps the most straightforward of biofuel's drawbacks is the most obvious: It isn't petroleum-based fuel, so it will operate differently in engines designed for petroleum-based fuel. Biofuels also supply environmental benefits but, depending on how they are manufactured, can also have serious environmental drawbacks. (Jan. 14, 2011)http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ID/ID-346-W.pdf, Altieri, Miguel A. Biofuel is produced from renewable resources and relatively less-flammable than fossil diesel. Its worth noting that the negative effects of biofuels can be mitigated by adopting appropriate policies and regulations, such as implementing sustainable land use practices, supporting research and development of advanced biofuels, and promoting the use of biofuels in a way that doesnt compete with food production. Not Rotating the Crop 3. Biofuel production may decrease the pesticide pollution if done sustainably and right, especially if perennial polycultures are involved. Second, the oil these plants produce is not equal. Also, these crops can be planted again. As crude oil prices rise, we need several other alternative energy solutions to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. High Cost of Production Though there are many reasons to want to use biofuels, they do have a very high cost of production and are too expensive to produce, especially considering current market conditions. But the fertilizers can have detrimental effects on the environment, and expanded biofuel production could pose a major threat due to freshwater pollution. This difference has an effect on the oils' viability as fuel. 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. "Waste as a feedstock [for biofuels] has a number of advantages," says Enerkem's co-founder and chief technology officer Esteban Chornet, a former engineer at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Air quality sensing of particulate matter shows that levels of this damaging pollutant are high around such sites. That has yet to be an energy source that comes without some drawback. 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. Nitrogen in drinking water can lead to a host of health problems, including methemoglobinemia, a condition that prevents infants from utilizing the oxygen in their blood [source: Rosen and Horgan]. Your email address will not be published. List of Cons of Biofuels 1. Biofuels are definitely cheaper than fossil fuels. For the billions of people who live on only a few dollars per day, even a small increase in food prices could put their access to proper nutrition at risk. Unfortunately, in some cases, it is more advantageous for farmers to decide in favor of biofuel crops over food crops, as they sell at higher prices and some monocrops may be easier to cultivate and harvest than diverse food crops. Purdue Extension. True, a plant-based fuel comes from a renewable source, while fossil fuels will eventually run out. Renewability Is an Advantage It takes a very long time for fossil fuels to be produced. As a renewable energy source, plant-based biofuels in principle make little net contribution to global warming and climate change; the carbon dioxide (a major greenhouse gas) that enters the air during combustion will have been removed from the air earlier as growing plants engage in photosynthesis. Manure and other animal waste can be converted to sustainably meet the energy needs of the farm. If you live in Zone 5, for example, you will likely have trouble growing a plant that requires the long growing season and high heat of Zone 10 [source: Burpee]. Biofuels require agricultural land which is already limited. "10 Disadvantages of Biofuels" PhotoAlto/James Hardy/Getty Images "Biofuel" is a major buzzword in transportation circles these days, and for good reason. Biofuels are an energy source obtained from organic material (animal waste, plants, etc. In small countries, or in municipalities where landfills are full and . That's why Waste Management, Inc., has invested in a slew of such waste-to-energy companies, including Enerkem. Although the creation of biofuels produces carbon dioxide as a byproduct, it is often used to grow the plants that are converted into fuel. Electro fuels are produced by storing electrical energy, and solar fuel is made from solar energy. Some estimates state that algae and cyanobacteria could yield between 10 and 100 times more fuel per unit area than second-generation biofuels. Source of renewable energy Advantages Disadvantages; Biofuel: Renewable source. 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. But while different crops can become biodiesel through the same process, the resulting fuel can vary greatly in its ability to produce power. Weather issue 11. 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. But in other regions, the same plants would be impossible -- or extremely costly -- to grow. Long-time monoculture farms have to use much more artificial fertilizer than their more sustainable peers, increasing water pollution. Fuel." The greenhouse emission potential of biofuel varies considerably, from levels comparable to fossil fuels in some situations to negative emissions in others. Syngas can be utilized to make methanol, DME, and hydrogen. . In this article, we will describe the points related to this issue. Lower carbon emissions make them a safer alternative to preserve atmospheric quality and lower air pollution. For example, it is estimated that growing one hectare of corn for biofuels takes between 3,000 and 5,000 cubic meters of water per year. This is a problem biofuel crops share with food crops, gardens and lawns worldwide. High Cost of Production Even with all the benefits associated with biofuels, they are quite expensive to produce in the current market. An example of such practice could be plantation of diverse prairie grass mixtures. But biofuels aren't completely cost-free. Some crops will grow better in certain areas and may not grow at all in other regions. The regional nature of high-producing plants such as palm oil means that certain parts of the world are agricultural gold mines: Biofuel demand motivates plantations to expand quickly. "Oil Yields and Characteristics." Cellulosic ethanol is commonly made from sugarcane bagasse, a waste product from sugar processing, or from various grasses that can be cultivated on low-quality land. The development of a biofuels industry has great potential to stimulate economic development in rural areas with less job possibilities by creating new markets for crops and other agricultural products. Biodiesel, which has found greatest acceptance in Europe, is used in diesel engines and usually blended with petroleum diesel fuel in various percentages. There are several different types of biofuels: liquid biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel; solid biofuels like wood pellets, fuelwood, or animals waste; and biogas like landfill gas. University of Minnesota. However, it is important to carefully evaluate the environmental impacts of biofuels in order to ensure that they are being used in the most sustainable and responsible way possible. The greenhouse gases bring about global warming by trapping sunlight. 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. Alexander, C. et al. 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. First, there's the issue of yield. The clearing of land can also result in the sudden release of a large amount of carbon dioxide as the plant matter that it contains is burned or allowed to decay. This may involve the use of advanced technologies. Omissions? Under this vision, biofuel crops would remove carbon dioxide from the air as they grow, and energy facilities would capture the carbon dioxide given off as biofuels are burned to generate power. Disadvantages of Biofuels Despite the benefits, there are some disadvantages of biofuels that make the general population hesitant to use them. Consumers living in a low-producing region would need to have biofuel trucked or piped to them, increasing both cost and the amount of emissions produced in production and transport [source: Pimentel]. Dependence on Water and Oil Resources. Additionally, biofuel production can also lead to changes in land use patterns, as farmers may shift from growing food crops to biofuel crops in order to take advantage of government incentives or higher prices for biofuel crops. If the land used to grow a biofuel feedstock has to be cleared of native vegetation, then ecological damage is done in three ways. The burning of biofuels generates fewer air pollutants than the burning of fossil fuels, which can improve air quality and public health. This is not the selective breeding they have followed for years; genetically modified crops are developed in the laboratory to tolerate herbicides better, fight off pests, and higher yields. The green biomass from these grasses can be harvested regularly for the use as a biofuel. A Lack of Food 5. One alternative involves the use of highly diverse mixtures of species, with the North American tallgrass prairie as a specific example. By being renewable, they are a type of fuel that could potentially support sustainable development by promoting the use of renewable energy and reducing our impact on the environment. 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. A number of manufacturers sell biodiesel and grease car conversion components, and some others find methods to overcome the gelling problem. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Matt Cunningham Biofuel can be produced from plants or commercial, agricultural, domestic, or industrial wastes with a biological origin. Which brings us to the second advantage. One distinctive promise of biofuels is that, in combination with an emerging technology called carbon capture and storage, the process of producing and using biofuels may be capable of perpetually removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Captured carbon dioxide could be sequestered (stored) in long-term repositories such as geologic formations beneath the land, in sediments of the deep ocean, or conceivably as solids such as carbonates. Had it been the season's popular strain of corn, there could have been an ecological disaster as monarchs migrated through the corn-heavy American Midwest [source: Mellon and Rissler]. The production of biofuels can in some cases compete with food production in several ways. Most fossil fuels will expire one day. 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). "The business of ethanol is a very substantial market opportunity," Chornet says. Biofuel can generate electricity and can be created from various waste products collected from the farming industry. 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. "Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S." July 1, 2010. 2. Students replicate commercially available alternative fuels, E85 and biodiesel, as well as create an experimental fuel blend of waste . They produce industrial pollution. This is a great news for sustainable future planning since the use of biofuels is in agreement with the development of a circular economy by closing the loop on resource use. These fossil fuel stores are practically finite. (Jan. 14, 2011)http://www.springerlink.com/content/r1552355771656v0/, Rosen, C.J. While technology eventually will limit these ratios, the ratio of energy input to the output of modern biofuel production is an important disadvantage to its widespread use. The plant will turn 300 metric tons of raw fluff per day into 36 million liters of ethanol per year. A way to reduce the impact of greenhouse gases is to use biofuels around the world. Whereas oil is a finite resource and comes from unique materials, biofuels can be produced from a broad variety of ingredients, including crop waste, manure, and other by-products. An unfortunate disadvantage of biogas today is that the systems used in the production of biogas are not efficient. Biodiesel, as the most common biofuel in Europe, is generated from oils or fats using transesterification. At the same time, biofuels generally have a lower energy density per unit of mass than fossil fuels such as gasoline or diesel. However, the high greenhouse emissions, deadly air pollution, instable fossil-based energy prices, and strong growth of global transportation fuel demand have boosted extensive research efforts in developing bioenergy. Biofuels, on the other hand, are produced from biological materials, which are generally considered to be cleaner-burning than fossil fuels. Liquid biofuels are of particular interest because of the vast infrastructure already in place to use them, especially for transportation. But in much the same way that oranges will never be a cash crop in Alaska, there will always be some regions that simply can't support large-scale production of biofuel-rich crops. Loss of natural habitat can change the hydrology, increase erosion, and generally reduce biodiversity of wildlife areas. Import Tuner. It is also important to consider the full life cycle of biofuels, from production to end-use to ensure that they are used in the most sustainable and efficient manner possible. However, most of the time, the word biomass simply signifies the biological raw material from which the fuel is made, or some kind of thermally-chemically changed solid end product, like torrefied pellets or briquettes. Except providing new livelihood opportunities for local families, they could also represent a sustainable and innovative option that will contribute to rural development. The benefits of biofuels compared to fossil fuels depend on a variety of factors that need to be considered when used on a large scale. The organic material that makes biofuels is made of carbon dioxide absorbed by plants from the atmosphere as they grew. Certain crops will grow better in certain regions and may not grow at all in others. In a possible moderate ethanol production scenario that includes trash collection and cellulosic ethanol production, sugarcane has the potential to provide sufficient ethanol to meet 14% of Australia's . And. Your IP: This means that more biofuel is required to produce the same amount of energy as a smaller amount of fossil fuel. 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. "Bioethanol." : Advantages & Disadvantages of. It causes air pollution 3. A number of manufacturers sell components for biodiesel and greasecar conversions, and intrepid tinkerers often find ways to overcome the gelling problem. It contributes to deforestation 4. Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. and B.P. For example, the density of corn-based ethanol is higher than gasoline; fuel injectors must be larger in an ethanol-only engine to suit the fuel flow of a comparable gasoline engine. Additionally, biofuel production can also lead to changes in land use patterns, which can displace local communities and increase the cost of land. Compared to petroleum-based gasoline, ethanol is a less effective fuel. Will alternative fuels deplete global corn supplies? 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. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. 1 Feb. 2011. Many biofuel crops are applied to produce biodiesel. Because biomass technically can be used directly as a fuel, sometimes the terms biomass and biofuel are used interchangeably. Advantages And Disadvantages Of Ethanol - Ethanol is a volatile, colorless and flammable alcohol obtained from corn or cellulosic materials, and is used as an alternative fuel to gasoline and diesel. Diverting that waste to anaerobic digestion would turn a cost into an opportunity, generating revenue from energy production and co-products. This fuel is made from the decomposition of organic matter. It may produce 100 gallons of the fuel out of one season's crop. On the other hand, because many biofuel feedstocks require land, water, and other resources, research suggests that biofuel production may give rise to several undesirable effects. 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. There are some complicating aspects about disadvantages of biofuels that we should look at. "You can place it in refineries throughout North America. 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. 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. Biodiesel is less efficient than gasoline Biomass: Should we focus on more eco-friendly renewable energy? Unfortunately, that image is also a sign of monoculture, an agricultural problem that could conceivably get much worse due to biofuels. Advantages of incineration. Quick Navigation for Advantages and disadvantages of biofuels, [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK196452/. But if the tractors that tend the field burn 75 gallons of fuel in the season, the truck to transport the corn to a processor burns 20 gallons on the trip, and the processor uses the energy of 40 gallons of fuel to run its distillation equipment, is the ethanol produced really an environmentally friendly, low-emission fuel? Biogas is used predominantly in the electricity sector. There will come a time when they will . Biofuels have emerged as an alternative to fossil fuels in recent years due to their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the use of renewable energy. There are no new technologies yet to simplify the process and make it accessible and low cost. July 30, 2000. In this regard, cellulosic biomass is considered to be more beneficial. Another way in which biofuel production can compete with food production is through the use of food crops, such as corn, as feedstocks for biofuels rather than spending resources on processing corn for human consumption. The biomass pretreatment is one of the keys to the best use of organic waste and thus enhance the production of a biogas plant. Producers that focus on a single cash crop each year face an increased risk of pest development, water pollution, and catastrophic failure. These landfills not only spread foul smell but also contaminate underground water sources. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.goldenfuelsystems.com/index.php, Journey to Forever. For example, emphasis on ethanol derived from corn is shifting grasslands and brushlands to corn monocultures, and emphasis on biodiesel is bringing down ancient tropical forests to make way for oil palm plantations. (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. There are a few potential negative effects of biofuels on the environment and economy that need to be considered when forming an opinion about their use in the future. In the United States ethanol biofuel is made primarily from corn (maize) grain, and it is typically blended with gasoline to produce gasohol, a fuel that is 10 percent ethanol. 1. Even if plant waste can be used as raw material, the demand for these products will still exist. Ethanol can be used instead of gasoline in many cars. So, it could be a threat to food security or access to adequate nutritious food for the population. However, in terms of cost, the overall benefits of using biofuels are much higher. Although current gas reservoirs will remain available for many years, they will deplete in anot-too-distant future. The first way damage is caused is by destroying local habitat. Deforestation. "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. They emit less carbon dioxide and other emissions when burned than standard diesel. Let us know if you liked this article. Temperate zone plant biomass per hectare could be as high as 20 t. Switchgrass have reported yields up to 30 t ha 1. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. Examples include ancient people burning wood and branches to generate fire. Disadvantages 1. This is a problem that biofuel crops, food crops, gardens, and lawns have in common all over the world. Advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy. This can lead to food insecurity in local communities and increase in food prices. "The Economics of Ethanol from Sweet Sorghum Using the MixAlco Process." Because biofuels can be produced from renewable resources, they bring less pollution to the planet. The carbon footprint that the use of biofuels leaves is quite substantial. "Food vs. For this and other reasons, perennials such as switchgrass and miscanthus have gained in popularity as feedstock for biofuels, as they leave much more ground cover after harvest for the prevention of soil loss. The use of algae and cyanobacteria as a source of third-generation biodiesel holds promise but has been difficult to develop economically. The sun stores resources into these materials thanks to photosynthesis. While this is an economically attractive practice, playing off economies of scale to make the crop more profitable for the farmer, it can have severe environmental drawbacks. Fueling homes, businesses, and vehicles with biofuels are less expensive compared to fossil fuels. Biofuels - Some crops, like corn and sugar cane, can be converted into a biofuel called ethanol. As of now, the cost of biofuels in the market is the same as gasoline. But since many popular biofuel crops, such as corn and soybeans, are also popular food sources for much of the world, it stands to reason that the problems related to monoculture could get much worse as consumers demand more biofuel. Biofuel production is currently equivalent to just a tiny fraction. But the conversions impose additional time and money on the biofuel users. This factor could potentially limit the scale of biofuel production when it comes to upscaling their use. 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. Being forced to import oil creates problems for their economy. (Clear Guide) + PDF, How Does A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Work? References: Ann, Ngee. Biofuels are often not compatible with traditional fossil fuel infrastructure because they have different chemical and physical properties. Many of the studies show that the machinery used to cultivate crops emits large quantities of carbon emissions. 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. Typically, garbage collection has certain disadvantages: Garbage collection consumes computing resources in deciding what memory is to be freed, reconstructing facts that may have been known to the programmer. Lets explore the pros and cons of biofuels in order to better understand their future potential as our energy source.

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