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Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. Explore our digital archive back to 1845, including articles by more than 150 Nobel Prize winners. Companies such as Ineos Bio are turning trash into other chemicals such as plastics. This fuel is made from the decomposition of organic matter. 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. About 3.5 million tons of garbage is discarded in landfills every day. Higher the diversity of plants, better natural resistance to diseases and pests. Biofuel crops are no different from petunias or peppers in this regard. Biofuel and fertiliser can be made from putrefying gasses emitted by rotting food, in specialist containers called anaeorbic digestors. Read more about us. Biofuels are definitely cheaper than fossil fuels. If farmers are incentivized to plant crops that are not well suited for the location, they may end up needing more water than any other crops would. Biodiesel is not much better. An important consideration is the gel point; a fuel that becomes solid above the freezing point of water is not very useful in a cold location. . The burning of biofuels generates fewer air pollutants than the burning of fossil fuels, which can improve air quality and public health. When the plant biomass is burned, it releases this absorbed carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. 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. Natural Resources Research. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. 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. The fourth generation of biofuels includes electro fuels and solar fuels. Biofuel Biomass is the only renewable energy source that can be converted into liquid biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. Some scientists argue that producing enough biodiesel or ethanol to replace one gallon of petroleum fuel needs energy equal to several gallons value of petroleum fuel. 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. We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature. 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]. This may involve the use of advanced technologies. 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]. This lessens the risk of respiratory illnesses due to reduced air pollution. The first generation biofuels are produced from food crops grown on arable land. MIT Technology Review. List of Cons of Biofuels 1. Many fertilizers contain nitrogen and phosphorus. Monoculture refers to the production of one concentrated crop rather than the rotating of different crops through a farmers field over time. Pure ethanol and biodiesel are nontoxic and biodegradable, and if spilled, they break down into harmless substances. The New York Times. University of Minnesota. Engines designed to operate on biofuels produce lower emissions than other diesel engines. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, are non-renewable, which means they are finite and will eventually run out. Fossil fuels are non-renewable and release greenhouse gases during their combustion. The organic material that makes biofuels is made of carbon dioxide absorbed by plants from the atmosphere as they grew. . 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. Disadvantages No fuel is perfect, and there are some biofuel disadvantages - especially if plants are grown specifically. Another type of biofuel is biodiesel. But there's another complication that arises with this selection. 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. Some studies are underway to increase the yields of biofuel from weather-tolerant crops. Scientists sounded the alarm, and further tests by academic and industry researchers confirmed that the corn's pollen posed a threat to monarchs. 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. Can Renewable Energies Solve the Grave Problem of Climate Change? 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). Moreover, not every climate zone is proper for a high-yield crop that could produce biodiesel economically. This is a serious contra argument to consider especially with climate change already shifting our ability to grow crops in certain areas. The following figure shows the biodiesel cycle schematically. The production cost per liter of ethanol is still high compared . China's Xi Outshines Trump as the World's Future Energy Leader, Fact or Fiction? biofuel, any fuel that is derived from biomassthat is, plant or algae material or animal waste. Let's start with one of the main arguments against the use of biofuels. This makes it something close to a self-sustaining system. The first way damage is caused is by destroying local habitat. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) determines bioenergy as a renewable energy form. 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. Algae has the same concerns of monoculture that the agriculture industry experiences. Biofuels, and the process of integrating them into our fuel use habits, can be costly. The best road tax-exempt cars to buyFor now, biofuel is . Some of the disadvantages of biofuels apply mainly to low-diversity biofuel sourcescorn, soybeans, sugarcane, oil palmswhich are traditional agricultural crops. Loss of natural habitat can change the hydrology, increase erosion, and generally reduce biodiversity of wildlife areas. Corrections? Traditional waste tire management strategies Advantages Disadvantages; Recycling and reclamation: Reduces global warming and helps preserve . This can lead to food insecurity in local communities and increase in food prices. Gasoline is refined from crude oil, a non-renewable resource. Click to reveal Thankfully, it didn't sell well, so few fields were planted with it. Biofuels are an alternative to fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal). This is a problem biofuel crops share with food crops, gardens and lawns worldwide. See also carbon sequestration. That's why Waste Management, Inc., has invested in a slew of such waste-to-energy companies, including Enerkem. This one relates to the little multicolored maps on the backs of seed packets. The use of regular feedstock, such as corn and soybeans, as a primary component of first-generation biofuels sparked the food versus fuel debate. You can substitute it for corn ethanol if produced at a lower cost. 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. The simple economic system of supply and demand of biofuels increases the demand for corn, for example, and it becomes more expensive. 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]. What does it mean? Biofuel can generate electricity and can be created from various waste products collected from the farming industry. July 30, 2000. By that time, the corn had been on the market for a season. One potential challenge to the reliability of biofuels is their limited availability, as they are only produced from certain feedstocks (as mentioned in the disadvantages section). Biofuel production using food crops such as corn, soybeans and sorghum has the potential to alter drastically the world's access to affordable food. Biofuel typically involves contemporary carbon fixation, such as happens in plants or microalgae during photosynthesis. Think about the oils in your kitchen: While the olive oil in the cupboard is easy to pour, the lard and vegetable shortening have a paste-like consistency. In the transport sector, they are often used as a substitute for gasoline and diesel fuel. Water Usage 7. There is also no need to convert the engine. By burning solid waste, the amount of garbage dumped in landfills is reduced by 60 to 90 percent, and reduces the cost of landfill disposal and amount of land required for landfill. As of now, the cost of biofuels in the market is the same as gasoline. Deforestation. Biofuel production utilizing food crops such as corn can drastically change the worlds access to cheap food. They are found in liquid, solid or gas states. (Nov. 16, 2010)http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/31/business/worldbusiness/31biofuel.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1290625375-G4EOxMpw99oBdvPcW6DvCw, Tsuneishi, Scott. Biofuels are made from various sources, including manure, crop waste, algae, other byproducts, and plants grown specifically for fuel. While technology may eventually narrow those ratios, the input-output energy ratio of modern biofuel production is a major drawback to its widespread use. This can limit the scale of biofuel production and make it more vulnerable to disruptions such as droughts, pests, and price fluctuations. Nevertheless, in 2012 Edmonton will host a chemical plant owned by Enerkem that will turn garbage into 36 million liters of ethanol and methanol per year. The biofuels advantages and disadvantages depend entirely on their nature and how they are accessed. When biodiesel is utilized as a combustible fuel, the engine durability increases. Which brings us to the second advantage. However, some biofuel crops, such as corn and sugarcane, are considered to be water-intensive and their production requires large amounts of irrigation. Except providing new livelihood opportunities for local families, they could also represent a sustainable and innovative option that will contribute to rural development. They produce industrial pollution. During initial tests of a modified strain of corn, researchers discovered that the crop, which had been engineered to fight off a moth known to prey on corn, produced pollen that could possibly kill larvae of the monarch butterfly. 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. The Indonesian palm oil problem is really a combination of biofuel's drawbacks. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. A number of manufacturers sell components for biodiesel and greasecar conversions, and intrepid tinkerers often find ways to overcome the gelling problem. 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. While local crops have reduced the countrys dependence on fossil fuels, some experts believe it will take a long time to solve the energy needs. 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. It causes air pollution 3. Advantages of Biofuels. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Biofuel does produce lower carbon emissions but their production does depend on water and oil. Bioenergy can reduce the waste problem. 10 Disadvantages of Biofuels By: Matt Cunningham Biofuels, made from crops such as corn, can have negative economic and environmental effects, as well as positive ones. Disadvantages of Biomass Energy This is an ethanol refinery. Being forced to import oil creates problems for their economy. 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. Web. As an alternative to landfills, incineration offers the following advantages: #1 Far more efficient use of space. 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. Corn-based ethanol, for example, has a higher density than gasoline; fuel injectors have to be larger in an ethanol-only engine to match the fuel flow of a comparable gasoline engine. Even if plant waste can be used as raw material, the demand for these products will still exist. While the advantages of biomass energy are plenty, there are also some shortcomings, including: 1. 2023 Scientific American, a Division of Springer Nature America, Inc. 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 necessarily destroys animal dwellings, microcosms (micro ecosystems), and reduces the overall health of a region's natural resources. (Dec. 11, 2010)http://www.burpee.com/gardening/content/gygg/growing-zone-information/growingzoneinfo.html, Carey, John et al. 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. Second, the oil these plants produce is not equal. The use of waste biomass to generate energy can decrease waste management problems, pollution, greenhouse gaseous emissions and the use of fossil fuels. Associate Professor of Engineering Systems and Atmospheric Chemistry, Engineering Systems Division and Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Disadvantages of Biofuels. Alexander, C. et al. Biofuel production may decrease the pesticide pollution if done sustainably and right, especially if perennial polycultures are involved. Uses land that could be used to grow food. Knowledge awaits. (Nov. 19, 2010)http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_yield.html, Lau, Michael H. et al. 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? Given that the conversion rate is lower than with first-generation biofuels, cellulosic ethanol is dominantly used as a gasoline additive. 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. Updates? ", David Biello is a contributing editor at Scientific American. It emits less harmful carbon compared to standard diesel. The development of new biofuels technologies can support innovation and drive economic growth in a sustainable way. 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. Biofuel can be produced from plants or commercial, agricultural, domestic, or industrial wastes with a biological origin. Source: New York Times, June 2, 2017. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.goldenfuelsystems.com/index.php, Journey to Forever. Advantages of incineration. Source of renewable energy Advantages Disadvantages; Biofuel: Renewable source. 19 January 2011. Increases Pollution in contrast to wind and solar 10. 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. Some crops will grow better in certain areas and may not grow at all in other regions. All of these plants grow better when given fertilizer. This factor could potentially limit the scale of biofuel production when it comes to upscaling their use. Ethanol-makerand oil refinerValero Energy Corp. has also invested in Enerkem. Some algal species contain up to 40 percent lipids by weight, which can be converted into biodiesel or synthetic petroleum. This removes the need for application of chemicals and the risk of runoff and water contamination is simply lower. Your email address will not be published. In the end, making a fuel from garbage remains a promising opportunityas long as the waste is already divvied up into its own component parts, as is happening in Edmonton and at the Three Rivers landfill near Pontotoc, Miss. Similarly, nutrients that are returned to the soil through crop rotation and allow fields to lay fallow disappear under extreme monocultural farming. This allows the engine to run for longer periods with less maintenance and reduces overall pollution check costs. Sugar Cane Until recently, sugar cane was the world's main source of ethanol, because of its prevalence in Brazil. These air pollutants can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems, as well as damage to crops, forests, and other ecosystems. Hydrogenating, or treating the oil with hydrogen, can mitigate this problem, but increased processing means increased cost [source: Journey to Forever]. Advantages and disadvantages of renewable energy. The proper way to grow biofuels to serve all needs simultaneously will continue to be a matter of much experimentation and debate, but the fast growth in biofuel production will likely continue. 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. In the United States the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandated the use of 136 billion litres (36 billion gallons) of biofuels annually by 2022, more than a sixfold increase over 2006 production levels. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The crops tend to be lesser varieties of the original, say of corn, for . If you use ethanol for your vehicles, you reduce up to 86% of greenhouse gas emissions more than fossil 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. But while different crops can become biodiesel through the same process, the resulting fuel can vary greatly in its ability to produce power. 1. "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. Biofuels are generally of two categories: gaseous biofuel and liquid biofuel. Its application in transport industry would cut a big part of the air pollution originating from this growing industry [2]. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. "Modern Agriculture: Ecological impacts and the possibilities for truly sustainable farming." Furthermore, biofuels can also be more expensive to produce than fossil fuels, which can make them less competitive in the market and discourage investment in the biofuel industry. 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]. Long-time monoculture farms have to use much more artificial fertilizer than their more sustainable peers, increasing water pollution. 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. Study with Quizlet and memorize flashcards containing terms like When considering large scale hydropower the disadvantage causing the LEAST environmental impact would be Decreased of flow of silt and sand to natural downstream deposits Disruption of the life cycle of anadromous and endemic fish Flooding of upstream habitat Change of job sources in the area, When a mineral resource is too deep . Exorbitant Production Costs 2. In this respect, ethanol made from corn represents a relatively small energy gain; the energy gain from sugarcane is greater and that from cellulosic ethanol or algae biodiesel could be even greater. 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. April 2009. Given the expense of converting this mix of dirt and heavy oils to more usable petroleum products, the province is not keen on alternative fuels.

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