The process creates a synthetic gas (syngas), which can then be used for a wide variety of applications. Economic and environmental considerations, https://www.britannica.com/technology/biofuel, United States Environmental Protection Agency - Economics of Biofuels, biofuel - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). Lets explore the pros and cons of biofuels in order to better understand their future potential as our energy source. Land Use Modifications 9. With international trends swinging toward sustainable transportation, fuels such as corn-based ethanol and biodiesel from soy, switchgrass and palm oil seem like a good step toward cleaner, greener highways. Will alternative fuels deplete global corn supplies? The development of a biofuels industry has great potential to stimulate economic development in rural areas with less job possibilities by creating new markets for crops and other agricultural products. The quantity of vegetable oil available in an acre of crops can range greatly, from 18 gallons for corn to 635 gallons per acre for oil palm. But the fertilizers can have detrimental effects on the environment, and expanded biofuel production could pose a major threat due to freshwater pollution. Furthermore, the burning of coal and oil raises the temperature and warms the planet. Biofuel uses waste natural materials, and produces fewer emissions as a result. "Bioethanol." : Advantages & Disadvantages of. If you use ethanol for your vehicles, you reduce up to 86% of greenhouse gas emissions more than fossil fuel. Monoculture refers to the production of one concentrated crop rather than the rotating of different crops through a farmers field over time. A number of factors play into any fuel's cost, both in economic and environmental terms, and biofuel doesn't always come out as the most sustainable option. However, ease of access to food imports and the export depends on a wide variety of political and social factors. There is a huge potential for bioenergy obtained from waste to decrease the speed of global warming. Sugar Cane Until recently, sugar cane was the world's main source of ethanol, because of its prevalence in Brazil. Biofuels emit less of these "greenhouse gases" and so presumably contribute less to global warming. Fossil fuels, on the other hand, are non-renewable, which means they are finite and will eventually run out. Because most sources such as manure, corn, soybeans, switchgrass, waste from crops and plants are renewable and do not run out any time soon, the use of biofuels in nature is efficient. It may produce 100 gallons of the fuel out of one season's crop. 2. We are working hard to improve our content. The first way damage is caused is by destroying local habitat. One way is through direct competition for land, water, and other resources. The carbon footprint that the use of biofuels leaves is quite substantial. Algae can be formed in ponds or tanks on land or out at sea. It also prevents crop rotation and in turn prevents the soil from recovery from nutritional depletion. "Biofuel" is a major buzzword in transportation circles these days, and for good reason. During their combustion in furnaces and boilers, they produce heat just like fossil fuels do. Disadvantage of Biofuels Energy output Indirect Carbon Emissions Much Higher Initial Cost Food Prices May Strain Water Resources Destruction of Cultivable Land Conclusion on Biofuel Pros and Cons Related Resources Biofuel Pros and Cons Analysis: How Does It Work? Drivers of vehicles who use these fuels usually have to install heating units to protect the fuel tank and lines free from gelled fuel or dual-fuel mechanisms flushing the engine with petroleum diesel during start-up and shut-down. Biodiesel, that is produced from animal fats or vegetable oils, can be used as a replacement for diesel fuel in heavy-duty work vehicles like trucks or buses. Biofuels are made from various sources, including manure, crop waste, algae, other byproducts, and plants grown specifically for fuel. Biofuels are definitely cheaper than fossil fuels. See also carbon sequestration. Many common crops could economically produce biofuel in certain parts of the world. Pure ethanol is difficult to vaporize meaning starting a car in cold weather could be more difficult that a car that runs on petrol. When fossil fuels burn, they produce large amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide. Fuel." University of Minnesota. Biofuel is produced from renewable resources and relatively less-flammable than fossil diesel. While both of these additives promote rapid and hearty growth in many crops, they have a downside. It takes biomass and turns it into a clean-burning fuel. (Dec. 11, 2010)http://www.burpee.com/gardening/content/gygg/growing-zone-information/growingzoneinfo.html, Carey, John et al. The use of algae and cyanobacteria as a source of third-generation biodiesel holds promise but has been difficult to develop economically. According to some estimates, expansion by Indonesian palm oil plantations caused the vast majority of that nation's deforestation in the late '80s and '90s. The process is not always cost-effective: Yes, though it may pay cash to the contributors, the truth is this process needs a lot of money, time and land to set up a plant and run. These materials include plant matter such as corn, soybeans, and sugarcane, as well as animal fats and agricultural waste. In small countries, or in municipalities where landfills are full and . "You can place it in refineries throughout North America. Perhaps the most straightforward of biofuel's drawbacks is the most obvious: It isn't petroleum-based fuel, so it will operate differently in engines designed for petroleum-based fuel. (2022 Guideline). Under this vision, biofuel crops would remove carbon dioxide from the air as they grow, and energy facilities would capture the carbon dioxide given off as biofuels are burned to generate power. Compared with making ethanol from crops, the environmental benefits of making it from waste are clear: It diminishes the demand for landfills and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. "Modern Agriculture: Ecological impacts and the possibilities for truly sustainable farming." In order for biofuels to become widely used, researchers are working on developing biofuels that are more similar in properties to fossil fuels. The ragged stripes stretching from east to west are growing zones: regions where water supply, temperature and sunlight make hospitable climates for certain types of plants. First, there is the issue of output. For example, bioethanol and biodiesel have a higher tendency to absorb moisture than fossil fuels, which can cause corrosion in fuel systems and engines. . References: Ann, Ngee. In theory, this sounds like a terrific way to keep up with biofuel crop demand. In theory, this seems to be a great way to keep up with the demand for biofuel crops. These air pollutants can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems, as well as damage to crops, forests, and other ecosystems. Overuse or inappropriate application can leave excess fertilizer in the soil, which then washes through regional watersheds and into streams, rivers, lakes and underground aquifers. According to studies, the levels of carbon dioxide emissions and particulate matter are reduced with biofuels, however, the nitrogen oxides are slightly higher than at fossil fuels [1]. One of the main advantages of biofuels is their relatively low cost. After the incineration process is complete, the total mass of the remaining garbage can be reduced by up to 85 percent, while its volume may shrink by as much as 95 percent [5].. Biofuels are an energy source obtained from organic material (animal waste, plants, etc. If you live in Zone 5, for example, you will likely have trouble growing a plant that requires the long growing season and high heat of Zone 10 [source: Burpee]. Aug. 11, 2006. Engines designed to operate on biofuels produce lower emissions than other diesel engines. 1. Monoculture refers to the practice of growing one heavily concentrated crop, rather than the rotation of various crops through a farmer's fields over time. In the United States the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 mandated the use of 136 billion litres (36 billion gallons) of biofuels annually by 2022, more than a sixfold increase over 2006 production levels. In many cases, biofuels can be produced from locally available resources. As a result, converting plant biomass to ethanol requires processing much larger amounts of feed stock to produce the same amount of biofuel than conventional biofuels. Other biofuel crops, such as switchgrass and miscanthus, are considered to be more water-efficient and need less water for irrigation. Disadvantages of Biofuels One disadvantage of biofuels is that not all biofuels can be created equally. Partial combustion is a fuel-burning with insufficient oxygen to convert the biomass entirely to carbon dioxide and water. Biofuels, on the other hand, are produced from biological materials, which are generally considered to be cleaner-burning than fossil fuels. 2009. Second, the oil these plants produce is not equal. The development of new biofuels technologies can support innovation and drive economic growth in a sustainable way. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Companies such as Ineos Bio are turning trash into other chemicals such as plastics. Ask any grade-school student what a plant needs to grow, and he or she will likely mention two things: https://science.howstuffworks.com/sun.htm. Add other resource costs into the equation, such as the gallons of fresh water needed to grow the plants and the amount of fertilizer needed to keep them healthy, and it becomes even harder to equate biofuel with real energy and carbon emission savings. As a result, looking for unsaturated oil as a biofuel source is reasonable. However, most of these crops are also accepted as food products. Biofuels are generally of two categories: gaseous biofuel and liquid biofuel. Its also worth noting that the cost of fossil fuels fluctuates greatly depending on the market and political situation. These emissions include carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels during the production process and nitrous oxide from soil that has been treated with nitrogen fertilizer. On the other hand, burning garbage produces air pollution and releases the chemicals and substances in the waste into the air. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. What are the economic advantages of using biofuels? "E85 Vs Conventional Gasoline - Tech Knowledge." For example, the process of growing corn to produce ethanol consumes fossil fuels in farming equipment, in fertilizer manufacturing, in corn transportation, and in ethanol distillation. There is also no need to convert the engine. Biogas and syngas are two types of gaseous biofuels. Your email address will not be published. The heat, in turn, can be used to run generators in a power plant to produce electricity. After all, a better harvest will lower prices and ensure there is enough corn or soybeans on hand to feed and provide the fuel to the world. Water Usage 7. Loss of natural habitat can change the hydrology, increase erosion, and generally reduce biodiversity of wildlife areas. What are the disadvantages of biofuels? Not every country has vast crude oil resources. The rise in demand for food-biofuel crops can have a positive effect for crop producers, in the form of higher prices for their produce. This difference affects the viability of the oil as fuel. Biofuels are a more. But there are also disadvantages. April 14, 2009. Moreover, not every climate zone is proper for a high-yield crop that could produce biodiesel economically. Import Tuner. (Clear Guide) + PDF, How Does A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Work? However, ready access to food imports, and the ease of exporting, hinge on a wide range of political and social factors. Our goal is to inspire people to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life. In the end, making a fuel from garbage remains a promising opportunityas long as the waste is already divvied up into its own component parts, as is happening in Edmonton and at the Three Rivers landfill near Pontotoc, Miss. These landfills not only spread foul smell but also contaminate underground water sources. By that time, the corn had been on the market for a season. Farmers of corn, soybeans and cotton -- all potential biofuel sources -- are increasingly planting genetically modified versions of those plants [source: United States Department of Agriculture]. New York City spends roughly $400 million each year to transport 14 million tons of waste to incinerators and landfills. This means large scale production to supply for a large population is still not possible. "Environmental Effects of Genetically Modified Food Crops -- Recent Experiences." (A Comprehensive Guide), Top 10 Solar Panel Companies and Manufacturers in the US in 2023, What are the Negative Aspects of Renewable Energy? Industrial Pollution 6. The development of a biofuels industry can have both positive and negative economic impacts, depending on the specific circumstances. 19 January 2011. Students replicate commercially available alternative fuels, E85 and biodiesel, as well as create an experimental fuel blend of waste . The greenhouse gases bring about global warming by trapping sunlight. However, the high greenhouse emissions, deadly air pollution, instable fossil-based energy prices, and strong growth of global transportation fuel demand have boosted extensive research efforts in developing bioenergy. April 2009. (Nov. 15, 2010)http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/07_06/b4020093.htm, Golden Fuel Systems. . There are some complicating aspects about disadvantages of biofuels that we should look at. Biofuel Biomass is the only renewable energy source that can be converted into liquid biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. It has the same advantages as for AD (items 3 to 6 inclusive) over spreading untreated organic waste material on land. Biogas is used predominantly in the electricity sector. This is due to the fact that biofuels are derived from renewable resources, such as crops and waste materials, which is more expensive to grow and process than fossil fuels. One of the key challenges in making the use of biofuels more sustainable over the long term is ensuring that they are sourced from feedstocks that have a low carbon footprint and are not in competition with food production. About 3.5 million tons of garbage is discarded in landfills every day. At the same time, biofuels generally have a lower energy density per unit of mass than fossil fuels such as gasoline or diesel. This may involve the use of advanced technologies. (Nov. 19, 2010)http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_yield.html, Lau, Michael H. et al. Concerns have arisen mainly due to the lack of cover left to protect the resulting fallow fields from erosion from wind and rain. But large-scale biofuel production -- especially using corn, and in arid parts of the world -- will have to share finite water resources with drinking and irrigation needs. Compared to fossil fuels, biofuels are considered to be a more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy source due to their renewability and lower emissions of greenhouse gases during burning. On the other hand, because many biofuel feedstocks require land, water, and other resources, research suggests that biofuel production may give rise to several undesirable effects. Biofuels, and the process of integrating them into our fuel use habits, can be costly. Electro fuels are produced by storing electrical energy, and solar fuel is made from solar energy. This isn't the selective breeding that farmers have practiced for years; genetically modified crops are altered in the lab to tolerate herbicides better, fight off pests or produce higher yields. In this article, we will describe the points related to this issue. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Linquipis a Professional Network for Equipment manufacturers, industrial customers, and service providers, Copyright 2022 Linquip Company. Researchers are exploring techniques to genetically engineer less thirsty crops. It increases costs as well as the emissions produced in production and transport. Biofuels refer to fuels made from plant materials. 7. They produce industrial pollution. List of Disadvantages of Algae Biofuel. They cover the soil year-round, and support biodiversity of small soil fauna and mammals by providing nutrients. Some scientists argue that producing enough biodiesel or ethanol to replace one gallon of petroleum fuel needs energy equal to several gallons value of petroleum fuel. Turning garbage into fuel is potentially an answer to two pressing problemsdiminishing the world's dependence on fossil fuels and an alternative to burying trash in landfills. It contributes to deforestation 4. Greentumble was founded in the summer of 2015 by us, Sara and Ovi. However, the cost of biofuel production has been decreasing in recent years due to advancements in technology and economies of scale. sunlight and water. In other words, not all biofuel crops are created equal. Consequently, it makes sense to look for an unsaturated oil as a biofuel source. Cellulosic ethanol is commonly made from sugarcane bagasse, a waste product from sugar processing, or from various grasses that can be cultivated on low-quality land. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2e12d729352bd1 Disadvantages of Waste Management: We have now seen the merits of waste management in detail. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. 1. Biomass is plant or animal material like wood, energy crops, and waste from forests, farms, or yards utilized as fuel to generate electricity or heat. While technology eventually will limit these ratios, the ratio of energy input to the output of modern biofuel production is an important disadvantage to its widespread use. Biofuels are obtained from crops and plants that contain large amounts of sugar. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Adjunct Professor, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, University of Minnesota. Union of Concerned Scientists. Some biofuel crops, such as corn and sugarcane, are considered to be high-input crops not only when it comes to water demand but even when it comes to the use of pesticides to protect them against insects, weeds, and diseases. . When done right and well-regulated, the production of biofuels has potential to actually support local biodiversity by promoting the growth of crops that are providing support to soils and leave soils less prone to erosion. Some of the disadvantages of biofuels apply mainly to low-diversity biofuel sourcescorn, soybeans, sugarcane, oil palmswhich are traditional agricultural crops. It is also important to consider the full life cycle of biofuels, from production to end-use to ensure that they are used in the most sustainable and efficient manner possible. DISADVANTAGES OF BIOETHANOL 1. A pig farmer, for example, may have to pay a few extra dollars per bushel to buy corn to feed his livestock. Syngas can be utilized to make methanol, DME, and hydrogen. Some crops will grow better in certain areas and may not grow at all in other regions. Your IP: Biofuels are less suitable for application in low temperatures. Horgan. 1. "Waste as a feedstock [for biofuels] has a number of advantages," says Enerkem's co-founder and chief technology officer Esteban Chornet, a former engineer at the U.S. National Renewable Energy Laboratory. The use of biofuels improves energy security of individual countries by diversifying the energy mix and reducing reliance of countries on a single energy source. Biofuels costs are affected by these fluctuations, so when the price of fossil fuels is high, biofuels can be more cost-competitive. Dependence on Water and Oil Resources. A 2005 study suggested that, using current farming and production technology, it takes anywhere from 27 to 118 percent more energy to produce a gallon of biodiesel than the energy it contains [source: Pimentel]. In this respect, ethanol made from corn represents a relatively small energy gain; the energy gain from sugarcane is greater and that from cellulosic ethanol or algae biodiesel could be even greater. These differences in state at a given temperature come from the oils' molecular makeup. With aims such as reducing the costs of biofuel, it enables high-value products from biomass or waste resources, as well as the reduction in the cost of bioenergy production. Omissions? Additionally, the cost of biofuels is affected by government policies and subsidies. Furthermore, biofuels can also be more expensive to produce than fossil fuels, which can make them less competitive in the market and discourage investment in the biofuel industry. The production of biofuels can be more expensive than the production of fossil fuels due to the costs of growing and processing the feedstocks. In diverting arable land and feedstock from the human food chain, biofuel production can affect the economics of food price and availability. 2. In 2013 Enerkem plans to open a plant there, too, with the help of $130 million in taxpayer funds from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of Energy. The production of biofuels can compete with food production for land and resources, which can lead to higher food prices. In this regard, cellulosic biomass is considered to be more beneficial. Biological source of energy can be produced in many cases from locally available resources, which in turn decreases our reliance on imported fossil fuels that are even becoming rarer. Biofuel Disadvantage : Environmental Impact. The clearing of land can also result in the sudden release of a large amount of carbon dioxide as the plant matter that it contains is burned or allowed to decay. There are several different types of biofuels: liquid biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel; solid biofuels like wood pellets, fuelwood, or animals waste; and biogas like landfill gas. The Pros of Biofuels Consumers living in a low-producing region need to have biofuel by moving through pipes or trucks to them. For example, bioethanol, which is produced from plant matter from corn, sugarcane or rapeseed, can be blended with gasoline to create a fuel called E10, which contains 10 percent of bioethanol and 90 percent of gasoline. When biofuels are burned, they produce significantly less carbon output and fewer toxins than carbon fuels. Scientists sounded the alarm, and further tests by academic and industry researchers confirmed that the corn's pollen posed a threat to monarchs. What is biomass? Temperate zone plant biomass per hectare could be as high as 20 t. Switchgrass have reported yields up to 30 t ha 1. Corrections? But if not done with an eye toward conserving resources and maintaining the spirit of reducing emissions through plant-based fuels, this ramping up of production can lead to greater environmental problems than the ones it's meant to solve. Also, alcohol fuels (including ethanol) may corrode or damage some of the metal and rubber fittings utilized in gasoline-based engines. Because biofuels can be produced from renewable resources, they bring less pollution to the planet. Cellulosic biomas obtained from non-food sources, including trees and grasses, is also being developed as a raw material for ethanol production. The conversion from one fuel to the other, in some cases, requires a range of new injectors, gaskets and fuel lines. Numerous unsaturated oils have undesirable burn properties. An example of such practice could be plantation of diverse prairie grass mixtures. Overall, the reliability of biofuels as an energy source will depend on the specific circumstances of their production and use. The energy that is obtained from biofuels is known as bioenergy. This is a great news for sustainable future planning since the use of biofuels is in agreement with the development of a circular economy by closing the loop on resource use. But since many popular biofuel crops, such as corn and soybeans, are also popular food sources for much of the world, it stands to reason that the problems related to monoculture could get much worse as consumers demand more biofuel. "Growing Zone Information." Greentumble is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Captured carbon dioxide could be sequestered (stored) in long-term repositories such as geologic formations beneath the land, in sediments of the deep ocean, or conceivably as solids such as carbonates. Common fertilizers include nitrogen and phosphorus. They are cleaner fuels, meaning that they produce fewer emissions during burning. Certain crops will grow better in certain regions and may not grow at all in others. (Nov. 16, 2010)http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/31/business/worldbusiness/31biofuel.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1290625375-G4EOxMpw99oBdvPcW6DvCw, Tsuneishi, Scott. It took millions of years for organic materials to transform into fossil fuels stores we currently mine for our energy needs. Biofuel does produce lower carbon emissions but their production does depend on water and oil. You can substitute it for corn ethanol if produced at a lower cost. Biodiesel doesn't fare much better. The pure form of ethanol (E100) can be used as a fuel for vehicles, but it is usually applied as an additive to gasoline to increase octane and enhance vehicle emissions. This removes the need for application of chemicals and the risk of runoff and water contamination is simply lower. 1. Unlike the first-generation ethanol biofuel produced from food crops, second-generation cellulosic ethanol is derived from low-value biomass that possesses a high cellulose content, including wood chips, crop residues, and municipal waste. But those fertilizers can have harmful effects on the surrounding environment, and expanded biofuel production could mean a major pollution threat to sources of fresh water. Potential drawbacks include changes to land use patterns that may increase GHG emissions, pressure on water resources, air and water pollution, and increased food costs. Making biofuels from waste makes dollars--and sense, Edmonton is Canada's chief oil city as well as the capital of Alberta, the province that hosts the bulk of the country's tar sands. The most common types of liquid biofuels are bioethanol and biodiesel. 6. Can Renewable Energies Solve the Grave Problem of Climate Change? Hydrogenating, or treating the oil with hydrogen, can mitigate this problem, but increased processing means increased cost [source: Journey to Forever]. The crops tend to be lesser varieties of the original, say of corn, for . In evaluating the economic benefits of biofuels, the energy required to produce them has to be taken into account. Given that the conversion rate is lower than with first-generation biofuels, cellulosic ethanol is dominantly used as a gasoline additive. The unique nature of a monoculture crop raises the risk of a complete loss for the farmer; if a severe strain of corn blight hits an ethanol-producing corn farm, there will be significant damage. And while biofuel is not as clean as other renewables and won't get us out of the woods when it comes to reversing the impacts of climate change, it is a reliable renewable source. "Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S." July 1, 2010. The New York Times. Unfortunately, in some cases, it is more advantageous for farmers to decide in favor of biofuel crops over food crops, as they sell at higher prices and some monocrops may be easier to cultivate and harvest than diverse food crops. Lets start with one of the main arguments against the use of biofuels. And high-consumption production practices -- moving palm oil with petroleum-powered trucks and the practice of draining and burning peat bogs to prepare farmland -- have made the southeast Asian nation one of the world's leading greenhouse gas emitters [source: Rosenthal]. Long-time monoculture farms must use much more fertilizer than sustainable peers, and this increases water pollution. This necessarily destroys animal dwellings, microcosms (micro ecosystems), and reduces the overall health of a region's natural resources. The biomass pretreatment is one of the keys to the best use of organic waste and thus enhance the production of a biogas plant. Similarly, BlueFire Ethanol turns waste into ethanol by using sulfuric acid to release the cellulose in the trash and then adds enzymes and microbes to ferment it into fuel. Disadvantages of Biofuels 1. But while different crops can be converted to biodiesel through the same process, the resulting fuel can be very different in its ability to produce energy.