Basics of Biofuel | Advantages of Biofuels | Disadvantages/Concerns of Biofuel | How do Biofuels Work? |
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What is biofuel?
A renewable fuel derived from organic materials such as plants or animal waste, used as an alternative to fossil fuels.
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What is one pro-environment property that biofuels have?
Biofuels are biodegradable; Biofuels create less greenhouse gas emissions
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What is deforestation?
This environmental concern related to biofuels arises when large areas of land are cleared for their production.
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What is fermentation?
This organic process, often conducted by microorganisms, transforms biological materials like plant sugars into biofuels.
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What are ethanol fuel mixtures?
In the context of cars, E30 means that it accepts 30% blended bio-ethanol gasoline, a fuel mixture of 3:7 bio-ethanol to gasoline
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What are some reasons why biofuels are cleaner than fossil fuels?
Biofuels have and use less carbon; Biofuels are carbon neutral; Biofuels produce fewer air pollutants when combusted.
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What is the competition with food crops?
One of the drawbacks of using biofuels is that they can compete with this vital global resource, leading to increased food prices.
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What is hydrolysis?
In the production of biofuels, this chemical process is used to break down complex organic molecules into simpler compounds that can be further converted into biofuels.
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What are 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation biofuels?
Different kinds of biofuels that are categorized by energy efficiency, cost, waste, etc. in 4 tiers/generations.
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What impact do biofuels have on economies?
Biofuel and related industries create jobs, reduce energy imports, diversify energy sources, and provide rural development.
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What is the problem of land-use change?
When biofuels are produced from certain crops like corn or sugarcane, this issue can occur, where valuable farmland is diverted from food production to fuel production.
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What is biodiesel?
This biofuel is more combustible, contains less carbon, is sourced from animal and plant esters, and has a lower energy density than its fossil fuel equivalent.
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