what are biofuels? How are they used in the automotive indusry, and what are the pros and cons of this use
Answers
What is biofuel?
Biofuel is made from either plants or natural/animal waste. Plants were specifically grown to create biofuels, which took up lots of energy and space, whereas biofuel producers are now turning to waste products that don’t have many other uses. Plant-based biomass tends to be used primarily for heating, while waste-based biomass is often liquid and can be usable in vehicles.
Advantages
Blending petrol or diesel with biofuels can have noticeable advantages. Although biofuels aren’t as efficient or powerful on their own, when they’re blended with conventional fuels they can improve performance and fuel economy. Some biofuels are derived from plants, which will have reduced the amount of carbon dioxide in the air. However, the benefit might not be as high as you might think, considering the fertilisation, transportation and manufacturing costs that have gone into the process.
Another advantage of biofuel is, in many cases, a lower cost. Ethanol tends to be cheaper than petrol, so blending the two successfully could be cheaper. Biofuel is renewable, too, as creating more simply requires more plants grown or more natural waste. Oil supplies - and therefore petrol and diesel - will eventually run out, pushing up prices in the future. Biofuel should remain cheap as it’s easier to produce and plentiful.
Biofuels can also be produced locally, leading to an increase in jobs and a reduction in transportation emissions.
Disadvantages
No fuel is perfect, and there are some biofuel disadvantages - especially if plants are grown specifically. Biofuel production is currently equivalent to just a tiny fraction of global energy demand, which means a huge amount of land, water and fertiliser is needed. The land used for biofuel production could also be used for crops and food production, while the oils needed may come from rainforests and other endangered habitats.
It is biodegradable, nontoxic and produces fewer pollutants when burnt completely. It can also be distributed through existing diesel fuel pumps, which is another biodiesel fuel advantage over other alternative fuels.
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