Ethanol is one type of alcohol that has many properties quite similar to those of gasoline. These similarities make ethanol a highly attractive fuel for use as a gasoline substitute or as an alternative fuel for blending. The densities of ethanol and gasoline are almost identical although the energy content of ethanol is about 30% … Read More

The various feedstocks that can be used for the production of biofuels may be classified into three groups: cellulosic biomass, sugar and starchy crops, and oil-containing or oil-producing plants. The first group of feedstock is cellulosic biomass. It is the type of feedstock that is increasingly becoming important for the production of biofuels. Its attractiveness … Read More

Biofuels are fuels derived from biomass. Biomass is organic matter taken from or produced by plants and animals. It comprises mainly wood, agricultural crops and products, aquatic plants, forestry products, wastes and residues, and animal wastes. In its most general meaning, biofuels are all types of solid, gaseous and liquid fuels that can be derived … Read More

Environmental Benefits In 2000, biodiesel became the only alternative fuel in the country to have successfully completed the EPA-required Tier I and Tier II health effects testing under the Clean Air Act. These independent tests conclusively demonstrated biodiesel’ s significant reduction of virtually all regulated emissions, and showed biodiesel does not pose a threat to … Read More

Initial efforts to produce biofuels date back to the early days of the automobile. However, they were quickly replaced as the fuel of choice by cheap petrol, which continued relatively unchallenged until the oil crisis of the 1970s, inducing governments to explore alternatives sources of fuel. In 1975 the Brazilian Government launched the PROALCOOL Programme … Read More

Biofuels are products that can be processed into liquid fuels for either transport or heating purposes. Bioethanol is produced from agricultural products including starchy and cereal crops such as sugarcane, corn, beets, wheat, and sorghum. Biodiesel is made from oil- or tree-seeds such as rapeseed, sunflower, soya, palm, coconut or jatropha. Although efforts to produce … Read More

Biofuels can be defined as liquid fuels produced from biomass for either transport or burning purposes. They can be produced from agricultural and forest products, and the biodegradable portion of industrial and municipal waste. This paper concentrates on two types of transport biofuel: bioethanol and biodiesel, which account for more than 90 per cent of … Read More

IIED is an independent, non-profit research institute working in the field of sustainable development. IIED aims to provide expertise and leadership in researching and achieving sustainable development at local, national, regional, and global levels. In alliance with others we seek to help shape a future that ends global poverty and delivers and sustains efficient and … Read More

After biodiessel is produced, there are several impurities present in the raw fuel that must be removed before it can be used safely. Biodiesel washing can be achieved by several methods, such as water washing or dry washing. Washing biodiesel with water is time consuming. After water wash, the biodiesel fuel still needs to be … Read More

Biodiesel is produced using a variety of sustainable feedstocks such as vegetable oils extracted from plants, used cooking oils, animal fat, and even algae. It contains no petroleum. Major vegetable oils used to make biodiesel today are: Soy oil Palm oil Peanut oil Rapeseed oil, and Used vegetable oil from restaurants Another oil gaining popularity … Read More