What is biofuel

Biofuel is a fuel that is produced over a short time span from biomass, rather than by the very slow natural processes involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as oil.

The use of biofuels has increased in recent years as technology has improved and costs have come down. Biofuels are now used in a variety of applications, including transportation, power generation, and home heating.

There are two main types of biofuels: ethanol and biodiesel. Ethanol is made from corn, sugarcane, or other plant materials and can be used in gasoline engines. Biodiesel is made from soybeans, rapeseed, or other plant oils and can be used in diesel engines.

Biofuel in aviation industry

Aviation biofuel has the potential to decarbonize medium- and long-haul air travel, which generates the majority of emissions from the aviation sector. Biofuel could also extend the life of older aircraft types by reducing wear and tear on engines.

While aviation biofuel currently costs more than traditional jet fuel, it is projected to become cost-competitive in the next decade as production scale increases and technological advancements are made. In order for aviation biofuel to play a significant role in decarbonizing the aviation sector, it must be adopted on a large scale by airlines, airports, and other stakeholders.

Types of Biofuel

Wood

Wood is the most basic form of fuel that is derived from organic matter. Trees as well as plants provide biomass burned for fuel. Burning wood releases carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the atmosphere, which contributes to climate change. However, wood is a renewable resource and can be sustainably managed. When used as a biofuel, wood can help displace fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Biogas

One of the main benefits of biogas is that it can be produced from organic waste, such as food scraps and manure. This means that it is a renewable resource that can help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Additionally, biogas produces fewer emissions than other types of fuel, making it a cleaner option for the environment.

Although biogas is not yet widely available, it is slowly but steadily taking its place as a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. As we continue to search for more sustainable options, biogas is likely to play an important role in our future.

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is liquid in nature. It mostly focuses on plants with high energy content such as soybean, rapeseed, and sunflower oil to attain pure biodiesel. The biodiesel can be used as a fuel for engines where it performs comparably to petrodiesel. Biodiesel has many benefits which include being renewable, biodegradable, non-toxic, and producing little emissions.

Ethanol

Ethanol is a renewable resource because it can be made from biomass that is constantly being replenished. Ethanol can be used as a fuel for internal combustion engines. It can also be used as a solvent and as an antiseptic. Ethanol has a high octane rating, which means it can be used in high-performance engines without knocking.

Ethanol has some environmental benefits over other fossil fuels. It burns cleaner than petrol and produces less greenhouse gases. However, the production of ethanol does have some environmental impacts, such as water pollution and soil erosion.

Methanol

Methanol is an alcohol like ethanol that can be used as a clean biofuel to power vehicle engines. It’s often used in car racing industry.

Methanol has a number of benefits as a fuel source. It is cheaper than petrol and produces less carbon emissions. It is also easy to produce from biomass such as wood or agricultural waste.

Despite these advantages, methanol has not been widely adopted as a fuel source for road vehicles. This is because it is less energy-dense than petrol and so vehicles using methanol have shorter range. Additionally, methanol can be corrosive to engine parts.