5 important things to know about biofuels

Whether you're already aware of the environmental benefits of using biofuels, or just thinking about whether you want to use it in your next car, it's important to understand how it works. Biofuels, which are produced from waste by-products and agricultural products, are a renewable source of energy that is cheaper and cleaner than gas and diesel. Thus, it becomes an important factor for those who want to reduce their impact on the ground and save money on the gas station. Below are some important things you need to know about biofuels.

There are three types

Biofuels are available in the form of biomethane, which is obtained from organic materials as they decompose; ethanol, which is made up of starch, sugars and cellulose and is currently used in gasoline blends; and biodiesel, derived from cooking waste and vegetable oils. There are also algal biofuels that require less land and can be genetically modified to produce large amounts of oil or biofuels.

Less emissions

Initial interest in biofuels was sparked by stricter vehicle emission standards. These fuels burn more cleanly, resulting in fewer particulate matter, greenhouse gases and tailpipe sulfur emissions.

Energy content

The energy content of biofuels is a major consideration when looking to replace conventional fuels. Biodiesel currently has an energy content of about 90 percent of that provided by petroleum diesel. Ethanol provides about 50 percent of the gasoline's energy, and butanol provides about 80 percent of the gasoline's energy. This lower energy content results in cars traveling fewer miles when using the same amount of each fuel.

Land requirements are a problem

Despite the obvious benefits of using biofuels, current production methods make it an unlikely option for mass production. The sheer amount of land needed to plant springs that could be used to produce oil is enormous. For example, jatropha is a popular material. To meet the global demand for fuel, it will be necessary to plant this material in an area the size of the United States and Russia combined.

Research continues

Although mass production of biofuels is currently not possible on a global scale, scientists are still working to find methods that would minimize land requirements in order to facilitate the use of biofuels in the automotive industry.