fossil fuels

Alternative Fuels – Are Biofuels the Way to Go?

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Biofuels, for those who aren’t yet aware, are one of the most promising ways to help to lower our dependency on fossil fuels as well as on oil from foreign countries.

Bio- fuel technology is available for those who want use it and sustainability is just one positive benefit of biofuel techniques. Biofuels are not, however, the be-all and end all that they have been touted as. In fact, many professors, energy experts, and scientists are warning that biofuels are still carbon fuels, a fact which tends to escape many of us as we proclaim them to be preferable for the environment.

The reality is that long term testing hasn’t been done on biofuels and we don’t know the effect they may have on our environment. That being said, biofuel are the prime example of a totally renewable source of energy and the production of biofuels to power vehicles and other engines would be a major step to taking us away from our reliance on other countries and on the oils and fossil/carbon fuels that are not so renewable.

Ethanol, one of the most popular types of biofuel is simply not sustainable because it uses almost as much energy to convert the corn as the energy it may provide, meant that it is simply too inefficient to be used. Scientists though think that they may have an answer and it’s one that offers more fuel energy per a smaller amount of fuel materials needed.

The latest biofuel exploration seems to be heading out to sea. The most serious limitation that we have in our present exploration of the non-fossil fuels is the lack of products with which to make them, as well as the high cost that is incurred for their use–one issue feeding into the other.

Soybeans and corn, the major feed stock materials that are also used to make most biofuels are not an endless supply. The same can’t be said though of the algae that scientists are working with. Algae is nearly endless in the supply and with the right conditions, that is to say, just about anywhere at all that has brackish water or salt water or swampy areas, you can grow the algae. The growth of algae is not a seasonal one, which means that you can get more than 20-30 times the production of the normal crops that have been typically used for biofuels.

Crops of algae can be grown on wastewater and even have a positive potential for help to recycle carbon dioxide that is currently spewing from business and industries. One man, Professor Cushman who has been working with algae as a replacement for other crops in the making of biofuels has found a way that he could extend the growth season up to about nine month even in a cold climate, making algae our best bet for new sources of biofuels.

Of his work, Cushman says that their long term goal is to find strains of algae that are the most suitable to making biofuels. They want to identify the most viable and most energy producing algae strains to learn how to improve the production of the fuels that we need It is the belief of science that they can significantly alter the biofuel industry using algae to produce it.

The bottom line is that we’ve got a far better chance of making some truly lower cost and far more usable biofuel with algae. It not only grows better, it actually puts out more energy or fuel, than land based crops.

Biofuel: Description And Leading Countries

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Article by Joshua Adekane

Biofuel: Description And Leading Countries – Society – Environment

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Biofuels are regarded as an eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels and a new source for economic growth. Brazil is known as the world’s leader, an unusual status for a nation in South America. This is the result of Brazil’s strong commitment to produce an alternative energy.

With Brazil’s success, other Latin American and Caribbean countries are also trying to develop biofuels with the support of groups such as the Inter-American Development Bank. The main producers of sugarcane in the region are Guyana, Jamaica and Barbados.

So far, the most recognized use of biofuels is in ethanol, a gasoline mix of biofuels and fossil fuels (oil). Brazil has developed to a point at which it exports a surplus of ethanol, and the vast majority of motor vehicles are of a flex-fuel design. Furthermore, the original ethanol “recipe” was 85 percent gasoline and 15 percent biofuel, but Brazil gradually has improved the mix to 75 and 25 percent.

Currently, the most widely used biofuel is ethanol, a gasoline mixture of biofuels and fossil fuels. Brazil has come to a point where they can even export their surplus production and most of their cars can use the mix efficiently. They have also succeeded in improving the original recipe from 85 percent gasoline and 15 percent biofuel to 75 percent gasoline and 25% biofuel.

Why it is so important to develop biofuels? Oil and Coal will eventually be depleted by humans in the future. Biofuels are produced from renewable crop therefore it is considered as an eco-friendly source along with solar, wind and geothermal energy. Another advantages is that biofuels emit less carbon dioxyde than fossil fuels.

Brazil’s leadership in Green energy

Brazil became an eco-friendly pioneer with biofuels during the 1970s, at a time when other nations were turning their backs. Ethanol at the time cost three times more than gasoline. Brazil had an edge, with a culture of growing sugarcane rooted in centuries of tradition. Still, government leaders needed to make a massive infrastructure investment that was not always popular, especially during times when world oil prices bottomed out.

The event that would trigger Brazil’s decision to develop ethanol was the Middle East Embargo of 1973. In order to encourage the private sector, the Brazilian government gave large subsidies and tax exemptions. By 1990, Brazil was no longer dependent on other countries for energy. The 1979 Fiat produced in Brazil was the first vehicle to run on ethanol in the world.

Brazil is now considered the expert in biofuel and has started to share its expertise with he rest of the world. They are focusing on helping developing nations in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.

Other countries have been inspired by Brazil’s success and are currently investing in their own biofuels with the resources available. For example, Europe is using wheat and sugar beets, Asia is using palm oil and the United States are slowly replacing corn with soybean and switch grass. Great Britain is investigating the development of solid biofuels with manure and trash.

With all their efforts, no other country in the world has managed to find a green, eco-friendly biofuel that performs to the level of Brazil’s sugarcane

About the Author

Ariel Dess specializes in assisting businesses successfully import and export with Latin America. To access to his valuable resources, tips and links, click here suppliers directory

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Joshua Adekane


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Bio-fuel develop in all over the world

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Article by Jenny

Bio-fuel develop in all over the world – Technology – Biotechnology

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Colombia strongly develop bio-fuels According to the Associated Press reported that the Colombian government to strongly promote the application of bio-fuels such as ethanol in recent years,and to encourage a large number of farmers and enterprises to grow sugar cane and other raw materials for biofuels, which makes Colombia became the second-largest ethanol producer in Latin America.

Under the encouragement of government , many sugar refinery in Colombia star from the traditional sugar business transformation to the ethanol processing. In the past five years, the Columbia five sugar refineries have invested a total 100 million to $ 50 million for the construction of ethanol distilleries. The Colombian government’s goal is ethanol annual production of 300 million 40 million liters in 2014.

Colombia’s experts said greenhouse gases used biofuels emissions were less 70% to 75% than fossil fuels. Not only that, biofuels natural digest quickly, usually within a month will be able to degradation of 85%, while fossil fuel usually takes a year to degrade to the extent.Environmental problems are becoming increasingly important to expand the use of biofuels is a general trend.

Colombia currently provides for the gasoline fuel to be mixed with 8% of biofuels, the Government hopes that this proportion increased to 15% in 2014.

Biodiesel exports greatly increased in Argentina in 2011 Argentina soybean crush highs last year , more soybean oil is further processed into biodiesel. The amount of biodiesel last year total is 1.7 million tons, higher than the exports of 1.4 million tons in 2010, export volume in 2007 was only 168,364 tons.

Argentina’s 12 major biodiesel producers, including the global cereal exporters, Cargill and Bunge, has spent nearly $ 1 billion to build factories, and solid support by the government.Biodiesel export tariffs is 13.5 percent, while the soybean oil export tariffs is on 32 percent. The Government has also developed a reference price, to ensure that the profits from the sale to the domestic market.

To contain 7% biodiesel in diesel fuel to ensure that local needs and plan this proportion increased to 10%, and after increased to 20% within four years.

Biomass energy technology

An Introduction to Biomass Fuels

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Do you dream of creating biomass power? If so, it’s important that you have a firm understanding of biomass fuels. The following should provide you with enough information to get you started on the path to generating clean, green power.

• Biomass fuels burn cleaner than fossil fuels—As everyone knows, burning fossil fuels pollutes the Earth’s atmosphere. But when you burn biomass fuels, you join the good fight against global warming. This is due to the fact that burning biomass fuel recycles carbon dioxide already in the carbon cycle, as opposed to burning coal, which releases carbon stored eons ago.  As a result, you produce less noxious fumes to pollute our air when you burn biomass. And not only that, but you will also positively affect your public perception. Everyone loves a “Green” company. 

• They’re one of the most reliable alternative energy fuel sources—One worry many people have when switching to alternative energy sources is their perceived lack of reliability.

Let’s face it—no one has found a fool-proof plan for harnessing the energy of the sun, making solar energy unreliable. The solar cells simply do not operate with a high level of efficiency. And when it comes to harnessing wind energy, you just can’t predict wind patterns well enough to rely on it as your sole energy source. However, with biomass it’s different. One of the biggest advantages to burning biomass fuels is that the raw materials needed are always being produced in the timber harvest process, where it’s called “waste.”

• You need to match proper biomass technology to your biomass fuel sources—Some people fail when it comes to using biomass fuels. And usually it’s for one simple reason—they don’t have the correct technology to properly process it. That’s why it’s a good idea to hire a biomass energy company experienced in analyzing raw materials and matching them with proper technology.

• A biomass energy engineering company can help you turn your ideas into money—You stand to benefit from doing business with a biomass energy company. That said, you need to make sure you pick one that has plenty of experience. There are lots of fly-by-night companies out there, but you want one that has been dealing with biomass fuels for decades. They’ll know how to handle all aspects of your project, ensuring financial success.

• Biomass fuels can be burned with fossil fuels through the process of co-firing—Some people think they can’t use biomass fuels because they own pre-existing power plants that burn coal or other fossil fuels. If that describes your line of thinking, then you need to look into co-firing. This option allows you to continue burning fossil fuels while simultaneously burning biomass fuels. The result? You cut down on fossil fuel use and can meet changing government energy regulations. There’s no need to build new facilities. You just adapt the system you already have in place.

Still interested? If so, the next step is a simple one. Find a biomass energy company that can help get you started.

Learn more about biomass energy and biomass technology at EvergreenEngineering.Com.

Reducing Carbon Footprint in Farming – Bio Fuel

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If you want to reduce the carbon footprint of your farm, then consider making the switch to bio fuel. Because they are derived from renewable organic materials that are found in abundance, bio fuels like biodiesel are a far more environmentally friendly way of running tractors and other farm equipment.

What are Bio Fuels?

Fuels like biodiesel are derived from organic materials that are readily available and can be grown as needed to meet increasing demand. Best of all, scientists have found a wide variety of plants and other organic materials that are suitable for use. For example, common crops such as coleseed, oil palms, peanuts, sunflowers and soybeans all have a naturally high vegetable oil content that makes them ideal for bio fuel production.

But these aren’t the only potential source of organic material for these fuels. Scientists are also researching the possibility of using algae for large scale bio fuel production. Not only does algae have the potential to yield far greater quantities of oil than traditional crops, but it can also be grown in harsh environments such as sewage treatment plants where it grows on (and consumes) unwanted waste. Growing algae in this way also means that valuable farmland would not have to be used for production.

Benefits of Using Biodiesel on the Farm

The primary benefit of use on the farm is that they reduce the carbon footprint of vehicles such as tractors. This is possible because biodiesel burns much cleaner and more completely in combustion engines than those derived from fossil fuels. This means that they have no negative impact on the carbon cycle because they only release the carbon dioxide that the plant absorbed while it was growing. This is in stark contrast to fossil fuels which pollute the air and increase greenhouse gases, which contributes to global warming.

Biodiesel also has another key benefit over fossil fuels. Because they are biodegradable and non-toxic, they also reduce wear and tear on engines in tractors and other equipment found on the farm. This means less tractor service and maintenance over the life of the vehicle, which ultimately reduces the cost of ownership.

Reduce Your Farm’s Carbon Footprint Today

Going “green” on your farm isn’t difficult. One quick and easy way to begin reducing the carbon footprint of your farm is to simply make the switch to biodiesel. Not only is it cheaper than regular diesel, but it will also extend the life of your tractor and other farm equipment, all while helping to save the environment.

Markdale Tractor is a full tractor service and tractor sales shop that has been in business for fifty years. Dann Olesen is the owner of Markdale Tractor and they have a full inventory of tractor equipment.

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