by meganpru

Bio Fuels ? What it means for You?

Bio fuels are fuels for vehicles made out of crops and oils such as grain, sugar beat and oil seed rape. They have been developed to address the need to find new sources of energy from which to power our cars. Our current reliance on fossil fuels can not be guaranteed indefinitely. We need to meet our need for ‘greener’ sources of fuel.  Currently there are two main types known as bio diesel and bio ethanol, which when blended in different proportions with petrol or diesel creates an effective fuel for our vehicles. Bio diesel can be made from palm oil, oil seed rape and even waste cooking oil.

It is currently being made in three different blends consisting of a five percent and a thirty percent diesel mix as well as a one hundred percent bio diesel which contains no fossil fuel. Bio ethanol is made from grain and sugar beat and is currently available in two blends. The first is the five percent blend which can be used in our current petrol engines and the second is the eighty-five percent blend which can be used in vehicles designed specifically to run on it. Bio fuels are starting to be introduced more widely and from 2010 it will become mandatory for fuel companies to start selling the five percent Bio fuels at the pumps. So what does this mean for drivers?

Initially the introduction of Bio fuels will not have a big impact on drivers. Research has shown that current vehicles on the roads are able to use a five percent bio fuel and ninety-five percent petrol mix in their cars without any damage being caused, so petroleum companies will create the new fuel hybrids which will be served at the pumps under the current names of unleaded and diesel. At present Bio fuels need to be imported but once production is able to take place in the UK then we may begin to see bio fuel pumps. Certain car manufacturers have predicted the rise of Bio fuels and have started designing and selling ‘flexi-fuel’ models which will be able to run off both conventional fuel as well as bio fuel.

Cars that don’t have this feature will not be able to use pure Bio fuels to power their cars and the costs of converting them would be extremely costly. At the moment the costs of buying a ‘Flexi-Fuel’ model car is slightly more expensive than a conventional car but as Bio fuels become more readily available this may change. As Bio fuels are considered to be better for the environment than fossil fuels we may find that cars that run on Bio fuels produce less harmful emissions and maybe eligible for reductions in the tax they pay on their vehicles. Other driving costs such as motor insurance are not expected to be effected by bio fuel usage. Whilst Bio fuels have yet to become a main stream fuel source it is predicted that their presence will start to increase over the coming years. For drivers the change will be gradual and most people may not even realise that their petrol will contain Bio fuels. In the future however Bio fuels will provide us with a cleaner and more accessible fuel to power our vehicles.

Find More Bio Fuel Articles

by neohippie

Bio Fuels – Are They Really Good For Investment?

As the term suggests, bio-fuels are fuels that are formed when biological matter decomposes. The bio-fuels are mostly derived from plants. Bio-fuels exist in all the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.

Difference between bio-fuels and fossil fuels
Bio-fuels are different from fossil fuels in the following ways:
• Fossil fuels take a million years to build whereas bio-fuels can be made extremely fast, in a matter of days.
• Fossil fuels generate huge amounts of pollution. Bio-fuels are comparatively safer.
• Bio-fuels are renewable sources of energy unlike fossil fuels.

Different types of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels have been categorized into four types: first generation, second generation, third generation, and fourth generation.

The first generation bio-fuels are derived from vegetable fats, starch, and sugar, which are in turn derived from food-crops. The first generation fuels are also derived from animal fats. Biogas, bio-diesel, and vegetable oil are some examples of this type of bio-fuels.

The second generation of bio-fuels is mainly derived from waste biomass, thus making it a more balanced option compared to the first-generation bio-fuels. Different kinds of alcohols and diesel generated from wood fall into the category of second generation bio-fuels.

The third generation comprises of bio-fuels derived from algae. Algae are farmed on large scales for creating these bio-fuels. The algae fuels are extremely environment-friendly as they can easily decompose into the soil without harming it.

The bio-fuels in the fourth generation are derived by a method in which micro-organisms are raised to work with carbon dioxide to generate fuel.

Advantages of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels prove advantageous in the following ways:
• Bio-fuels lessen the burden on gradually-vanishing fossil fuels.
• Bio-fuels are environment-friendly. They help reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
• Bio-fuels, especially, bio-diesel prove to be very cost-effective for consumers.

Disadvantages of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels are not bereft of criticism. Though beneficial for the environment, bio-fuels have its disadvantages, paradoxically in the environmental purview. Bio-fuels have received criticism for many reasons, a couple of which are stated below:
• Economists have long debated on the usefulness of first generation bio-fuels when compared to the lack of food they cause. Generating fuel from food crops makes food crops unworthy of human consumption. Some people believe that being a higher priority than fuel, food should not be farmed for making fuels but for human consumption.
• Making bio-fuels require acres of farming land, thus encroaching upon the natural habitat of plants and animals.

Related Bio Fuel Articles

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Google Tech Talks February, 12 2008 ABSTRACT Charles Anderson of Golden Fuel Systems will give a realistic behind the scenes analysis of many common alternative fuels and transportation options available in the United States such as: Ethanol, Biodiesel, SVO (Straight Vegetable Oil), Hydrogen Fuel Cells and Hybrid and Electric Vehicles. Charles will explain how an SVO conversion to a modern diesel engine works and compare the pros and cons of SVO and the other alternative fuels available. This presentation will be valuable for individuals who are trying to determine what alternative fuel choice is right for them. With his extensive work in the SVO industry, Charles has gained a unique perspective into many of the alternative fuels available in the United States. Speaker: Charles Anderson Charles Anderson is the founder of Golden Fuel Systems (formerly Greasel Conversions) which is one of the world leaders in manufacturing and installation of SVO (Straight Vegetable Oil) diesel conversion systems. For over 6 years, Golden Fuel Systems (GFS) has served the world-wide SVO community by offering affordable products, installations, unmatched customer service and knowledgeable technical support. With 6 installation locations around the globe, Golden Fuel Systems has helped thousands convert their diesel vehicles to run on SVO to avoid those costly fuel prices and lessen their environmental impact.
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State denies HECO biofuel surcharge
State regulators have denied Hawaiian Electric Co.’s request to impose a surcharge on its Oahu and Maui customers for the extra expense of using biofuel to generate electricity on the Big Island.
Read more on Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Biofuel plant may raise bills
Hawaiian Electric Light Co. customers could see a $ 15-a-month surcharge on their electric bills, a result of the state Public Utilities Commission denying a request to raise rates on the Big Island, Oahu and Maui to help fund a Ka’u biofuel company.
Read more on Hawaii Tribune-Herald

by Justin Ruckman

Key Challenges to Widespread algae based biofuels commercialization

Algae-Based Biofuels

Demand Drivers, Policy Issues, Emerging Technologies, Key Industry Players, and Global Market Forecasts

In the face of petroleum scarcity, increasing oil prices, market volatility, and climate change, a number of national governments are enacting strong mandates to develop domestic biofuels markets. Meanwhile, as concerns over the sustainability of first generation biofuels intensify, innovative startup companies, strategic partnerships led by large multinationals, and university-led research consortiums are spearheading efforts to develop low-cost and replicable production pathways for advanced biofuels derived from renewable biomass like algae. With no alternative to liquid fuel, the commercial aviation sector and U.S. military are looking to renewable fuel sources such as algae-based biofuels to reduce expenses and mitigate their acute vulnerability to petroleum supply chains. ( http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=156722&rt=Algae-Based-Biofuels.html )

Yielding 2 to 20 times more oil per acre than leading oilseed crops, algae’s productivity and scalability are its greatest advantages. On paper, algae could displace worldwide petroleum use altogether, however, the industry has yet to produce a drop of oil for commercial production. Although the algae-based biofuels market will grow rapidly once key cost hurdles are overcome, widespread scale-up will be hampered by a number of difficult challenges, including access to nutrients, water, and private capital. With the cost of production still a key obstacle to widespread production, many companies are refocusing production efforts on low-volume, high-value co-products to develop revenue streams over the next decade.

This report examines the key growth drivers behind the algae-based biofuels market and outlines unresolved supply challenges. It compares advantages and disadvantages of algae production pathways, leading cultivation techniques, and end-market opportunities. The report includes detailed 10-year market forecasts, segmented by world region, along with analysis of market conditions in key countries and profiles of key industry players that are shaping the emerging algae biofuels business.

Key questions addressed:

* What are the key drivers shaping demand for algae-based biofuels?
* Where will the highest algae-based biofuels production growth occur around the world?
* What are the different cultivation options for algae producers?
* What investment trends and strategic partnerships are driving growth?
* What are the key regulatory and policy issues facing the industry?
* What are the key challenges to widespread algae-based biofuels commercialization?
* What are the key technology trends emerging in the algae-based biofuels market?
* What role will biotechnology play in improving algae yields and what are the potential challenges to widespread GMO-based algae?
* Who are some of the players involved and what are their strategies?
* What are government emission regulations for locomotives and how will they impact the market?
* How large will the market for hybrid and genset locomotives be globally?
* Who are the key industry players in the hybrid locomotive market?

For more information kindly visit : http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=156722&rt=Algae-Based-Biofuels.html

Related Reports

Algae Biofuels Production Technologies Worldwide
http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=145740&rt=Algae-Biofuels-Production-Technologies-Worldwide.html

Biofuels Market in China
http://www.bharatbook.com/detail.asp?id=104163&rt=Biofuels-Market-in-China.html

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by National Maritime Museum

Understanding biofuel requires deep knowledge

Understanding biofuel requires deep knowledge regarding the issue. To know its primary meaning is not enough. There are different biofuel topics a person needs to go through to be able to get the right comprehension. What is biofuel then?  Biofuel or also referred to as biodiesels are fuels that are biodegradable and non-toxic. These are wide range of fuels which are in some means derived from biomass. They are manufactured from vegetable oils, waste cooking oils, animal fats or tall oil. How is biofuel made? Read more to learn more.

Biofuel topics include how it is made. To a person who studies biofuel, to know how this fuel is made is really important. Studying and understanding this aspect could be of great help enabling an individual to choose the right side to stand, pro or against biofuel? We are all aware of the fact that biofuel is an undying environmental issue. Therefore to learn every single and basic detail could help. The oils like vegetable oils, waste cooking oils, animal fats or tall oil undergo a process called transesterification. Transesterification is a process wherein the oils are subjected to a reaction with an alcohol using a catalyst such as sodium hydroxide.

 Unlike petroleum, pure biofuels are significantly less flammable. It burns at only 50 degrees Celsius. This matter continues to be a concern in colder countries that is why biofuels or biodiesels are mostly used in combination with petroleum diesel. The outcome is called biodiesel blends.  Take note that biofuels can be blended with diesel in any concentration. Despite the different arguments anti biofuel people undyingly campaign, many countries continue to make use of this kind of fuel. And until this very present time, biofuel topics are still being discussed. There are people who strongly believed that biofuels play a very important role to man’s everyday living particularly in improving the environment and helping reduce pollution. We are aware of the fact that sadly, pollution that constantly goes into the air are from traditional fuels that millions of people expel from their vehicles everyday. That is why the use of biofuels can be of great help to leesen air pollution. Yet on the other side, for some people, the creation of biofuels requires the use of bigger lands and enormous amount of material.

 The above issues are just some of the many biofuel topics people need to understand. There are still many biodiesel topics you need to understand before clearly knowing where to stand.

The problem with biofuels

Even through the summer adjournment, about 2-dozen Republican members of the House of Representatives continued energy speeches on Monday. The group is reportedly trying to drive the Democrats and most notably House Speaker Nancy Peloski to vote on offshore oil drilling. However, many Democrats respond that the idea of oil exploration and offshore drilling will not decrease the prices at the pump. The House GOP also opted to stay on the floor last week at the beginning of summer recess and proceeded to give speeches to an otherwise empty chamber for 5-hours on Friday. Researchers are looking into using algae as a new biofuel for vehicles. Supporters of the alternative fuel say that algae needs only sunlight, carbon dioxide, water, and nutrients to grow. In fact, supporters say algae growth helps cut down on carbon dioxide released from vehicle emissions and therefore, it actually helps the environment. One 15-year study conducted by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory closed in 1996 after the group concluded that algae-based fuel costs were too expensive for national use. However, times have changed and oil is no longer 20-dollars per barrel as it was when the study was first analyzed. Based on the research, another group estimated that to build algae farms nationally for replacing petroleum fuels, it would cost about 308-billion-dollars plus maintenance fees, and many in the industry are saying that this figure is a bargain compared to the money currently being …
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With the push to produce more alternate fuel sources, the search is on for ways to keep corn on the table rather than in the fuel tank. (Nov. 25)

by meganpru

Bio fuels – Are they good?

As the term suggests, bio-fuels are fuels that are formed when biological matter decomposes. The bio-fuels are mostly derived from plants. Bio-fuels exist in all the three states of matter: solid, liquid, and gas.

Difference between bio-fuels and fossil fuels
Bio-fuels are different from fossil fuels in the following ways:
• Fossil fuels take a million years to build whereas bio-fuels can be made extremely fast, in a matter of days.
• Fossil fuels generate huge amounts of pollution. Bio-fuels are comparatively safer.
• Bio-fuels are renewable sources of energy unlike fossil fuels.

Different types of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels have been categorized into four types: first generation, second generation, third generation, and fourth generation.

The first generation bio-fuels are derived from vegetable fats, starch, and sugar, which are in turn derived from food-crops. The first generation fuels are also derived from animal fats. Biogas, bio-diesel, and vegetable oil are some examples of this type of bio-fuels.

The second generation of bio-fuels is mainly derived from waste biomass, thus making it a more balanced option compared to the first-generation bio-fuels. Different kinds of alcohols and diesel generated from wood fall into the category of second generation bio-fuels.

The third generation comprises of bio-fuels derived from algae. Algae are farmed on large scales for creating these bio-fuels. The algae fuels are extremely environment-friendly as they can easily decompose into the soil without harming it.

The bio-fuels in the fourth generation are derived by a method in which micro-organisms are raised to work with carbon dioxide to generate fuel.

Advantages of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels prove advantageous in the following ways:
• Bio-fuels lessen the burden on gradually-vanishing fossil fuels.
• Bio-fuels are environment-friendly. They help reduce carbon emissions into the atmosphere.
• Bio-fuels, especially, bio-diesel prove to be very cost-effective for consumers.

Disadvantages of bio-fuels
Bio-fuels are not bereft of criticism. Though beneficial for the environment, bio-fuels have its disadvantages, paradoxically in the environmental purview. Bio-fuels have received criticism for many reasons, a couple of which are stated below:
• Economists have long debated on the usefulness of first generation bio-fuels when compared to the lack of food they cause. Generating fuel from food crops makes food crops unworthy of human consumption. Some people believe that being a higher priority than fuel, food should not be farmed for making fuels but for human consumption.
• Making bio-fuels require acres of farming land, thus encroaching upon the natural habitat of plants and animals.

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Green Friendly Motoring: Gas Up Your Car With Bio-fuels!

The alarming effects of pollution in the environment added with the fast depletion and rising costs of fossil fuels, has prompted scientific communities and governments to create measures to alleviate these problems the world over.

One of the solutions that sprang up from laboratories are bio- fuels- plant extracts and compounds which when added to gasoline and petrol will substitute fuel characteristics.

Bio- fuels certainly aids the environment as they are biological in nature and therefore do not add carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Coming from carbon dioxide digesters in nature, they typically remove carbon dioxide and in turn give off the same amount when burnt.

Though still in the introduction stage in the market, bio- fuels has proven to be promising with surprising results- they do not only cost much less to make than gasoline or petrol additives, but elaborate tests has proven that they can also improve vehicle performance and clean emissions! Further tests conducted have also proven that bio-fuels eliminate smog and engine build-up.

A lot of oil companies are slowly picking up the pace in marketing these types of fuel and a lot are reporting sales steadily on the rise due to the affordability and added benefits. There are also new oil market players that cater exclusively to the production and distributing bio-fuels and by-products, now gaining influence off the growing demand for cheaper and cleaner fuel alternatives.

Bio-fuel variants largely used in vehicles today include:

1. Bio- Diesel

For diesel engines. This type of fuel can be used with existing cars with little or no adaptation needed and scores well on the energy ratings. Cars on Bio- Ethanol basically land the same rankings as those running on gasoline. The difference however shows up on the combustion process as Bio-Ethanol only emits the carbon dioxide it has used up in the growth process of its plant source, while burning gasoline or diesel adds more CO2 into the atmosphere due to their underground containment in oil deposits for eons of years.

Large sources of plant extracts usually come from the following:

* Ethanol alcohol from Sugarcane
* Oil extracts from mature Jathropa seeds
* Coconut oil

2. Biogas

Another interesting alternative to fossil fuels, Biogas is the type of gas from animal or plant wastes or a combination of both. A mixture of both has been proven to yield the best results. The animal wastes produce the nitrogen for bacterial growth and vegetable matter supplies the needed carbon.

With the positive market feedback, researchers are still looking and testing other viable plant sources for an even improved fuel additive which will eventually (should the need arise) power vehicles in the future.

As a motorist this is truly a great news- now you’ll get relief over fuel costs and maintenance bills but the most rewarding above all is that in using bio-fuels, you’re contributing to the welfare of your environment.

Drive safely.

Jovir Amatong
jamatong@autoterminal.com

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by meganpru

What Are Bio-Fuels?

Bio fuels are fuels that are derived from biological materials, mainly through the decomposition of biological materials. They are renewable fuels derived from biological matter like biogas, bio-diesel and methane. Bio fuels can exist as solids, liquids and gasses.

Bio fuels are can be produced directly from plants or indirectly from industrial, domestic and/or agricultural wastes. Ways in which bio fuels can be generated include but is not limited to: Burning of dry organic wastes like regular household waste materials, industrially and agriculturally generated waste materials, the fermentation of wet agricultural waste like animal dung in the absence of oxygen, fermentation of sugar/starch/carbohydrate containing crops to produce ethanol etc.

Bio fuels are also categorized into four major groups. These groups include:

The first generation: consisting mainly of bio fuels derived from vegetable fat/oils, animal fats/oils, starch, sugar etc. Examples of first generation bio fuels include biogas, bio diesel and vegetable oil.

The second generation: made up of bio-fuels gotten from waste biomass.

The third generation: made of bio fuels that are algae derived.

The fourth generation group of bio fuels are produced by a process where specially-raised/reared micro-organisms are used to work on CO2 to generate fuel.

Using Bio fuels is certainly a great way of reducing over dependence on fossil fuels that have a very unpredictable and unusually price. Also with the dangers non renewable fuels pose on our enviroment I see no reason why we would still want to continue using these damaging fuels.

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