Bio-fuels
1
J. Geyer, J. Rubert, C. Samsel, A. Sobel
Mr. S. Harwood
AP Physics B
20 May 2011
Alternative Energy: Bio-fuels
Biodiesel is the most beneficial choice when it comes to which type of fuel to use,
and Americans are behind in its production as compared with the rest of the world.
Ethanol and other petroleum based fuels cost more than they are worth and do not
provide as much energy as do their nature based counterparts. Compared to countries
around the world, the United States is significantly behind in the production and usage of
“green” fuels (Biofuels Platform). Although biodiesel was first invented over a century
ago, it is a fairly new idea in the world of alternative energy. Not only is it more
environmentally friendly, it is also much easier to manufacture than gasoline and diesel
(Newman). The amount of infrastructure needed to launch the nation into the bio-fuel
industry is notably expensive, but all in all, the bio-fuel industry will pay off in economic
benefits. Biodiesel is safer to produce, use, and transport as compared to other leading
fuel sources due to its lack of toxic fumes and poisons and its low combustion levels (UC
San Diego). It is also radically more cost efficient and economically stimulating because
of its dependence on mass production which leads to more jobs. America needs to follow
in its fellow countries’ footsteps and begin the transition to making bio-fuel the main
source of fuel in the country.
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Bio-fuels
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In 1898, Rudolf Diesel invented the first combustion engine to be run on peanut
oil which briefly launched the use of bio-fuels in twentieth century America (BDpedia).
Unfortunately, the thought of using biodiesel and other bio-fuels as the main source to
fuel engines died quickly thereafter with the rapidly growing industry of petroleum based
fuels.
Compared against European countries such as Germany, France, and Spain,
America is currently behind in the bio-fuel age. In 2010, Germany’s bio-fuel production
industry had revenue of $3,730.9 million, and it is estimated that the total revenue in
2015 will be $7,240.4 million. Germany’s bio-fuel production and income will increase
by the year 2015 (Global Information). However, the production rate of biodiesel in the
United States rose approximately from 112 million gallons to 691 million gallons from
2005 to 2008, but production rates cut in half from 2008 to 2010 (Biodiesel). These
comparisons show how drastically the United States is lagging in the production and
consumption of biodiesel.
Ironically, the ease at which biodiesel can be produced is a leading reason for
why it should be used rather than petroleum based fuels such as diesel and gasoline and
yet America is significantly behind Europe. Biodiesel is made through a chemical
process called transesterification which requires three basic components: vegetable oil
and/or animal fats, an alcohol such as ethanol, and a catalyst such as lye (National
Biodiesel Board). This process is completed by adding the alcohol to the fats and oils
along with the catalyst to separate the glycerin from the fat and vegetable oil; this process
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Bio-fuels
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leaves two byproducts, glycerin, which can be used to make soaps and other products,
and methylesters, which is the chemical needed to produce biodiesel. Finally, the
methylesters must be washed with a small portion of water, dried, and passed through
purolite ions to ensure that the glycerin is completely removed (National Biodiesel
Board). This production is significantly easier than making petroleum based diesel due to
the simple fact that its ingredients are vastly more abundant and much less difficult to
obtain.
Like its counterpart biodiesel, ethanol can also be made with the same amount of
simplicity and efficiency. Ethanol can be made from any plants or crops that have high
amounts of sugar or components that can be converted into sugar such as starch. The
production of ethanol is completed within four simple steps. First, the crops and plants
are ground up for easier processing. Then, the sugar or starch is dissolved from the
ground up materials and the starch is converted into cellulose. Microbes then feed on the
sugar which produces two byproducts: ethanol and carbon dioxide. Finally, the ethanol is
purified so it is at the proper concentration for use (West). Due to the abundant amount of
its ingredients, the production of ethanol is simple and more resourceful than other
alternative and fossil fuels.
Furthermore, biodiesel’s toxins and gaseous poisons are considerably less than
what is found in the leading petroleum based fuels (UC San Diego). In other words, it is
less harmful to the people, plants, and animals in the surrounding environment to use
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Bio-fuels
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biodiesel. On the other hand, the process highly depends on methanol in order to work
which, if handled incorrectly, can cause major health problems (BDpedia). However,
with proper education about the use of this chemical, these injuries can easily be avoided.
Likewise, when a lit match is thrown on biodiesel under pressure, it burns out and does
not combust, creating a safe environment for those who use and work with it. The
temperature of ignition, or flashpoint, of biodiesel is 149 degrees Celsius which is
approximately 300 degrees Fahrenheit (Purdue).
Conversely, in the process of making ethanol, a bio-/petro-fuel hybrid, the toxins
of ethanol can effortlessly enter the body through the skin and eyes, causing excessive
amounts of harm and possibly death to the person. Pure ethanol has a flashpoint of
seventeen degrees Celcius, about fifty-five degrees Fahrenheit. Although the flashpoint
of ethanol will rise if mixed with other substances, it is still a considerably dangerous
substance. If ignited, ethanol will create a sizeable explosion, causing substantial damage
to the surrounding areas. Also, at standard temperature and pressure conditions, regular
diesel has a flashpoint of fifty-two degrees Celsius which is about 125 degrees Fahrenheit
(Hempcar Transamerica).
Although it is expensive to initiate the bio-fuel industry, it will be more beneficial
to do so in the long run (Voegele). There are already approximately 1,800 petroleum
distributors who offer biodiesel, and about thirty-seven terminals at which biodiesel can
be obtained (Hewitt). However, the bio-fuel industry must expand! In order to effectively
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Bio-fuels
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do that, there must be at least 150 terminals added to the already existing thirty-seven
which will cost at a minimum 50 million dollars (Hewitt). Because biodiesel is similar to
petroleum based diesel, it can be used with any diesel engine and put in any diesel gas
tank and it will work with little to no modification to the system (National Biodiesel
Board).
With American Industry on a major decline the introduction of Bio-fuel systems
we could over all create more jobs to increase the economical growth in industry. “The
World Bank reports that bio-fuel industries employ about 100 times more workers per
unit of energy produced than the fossil fuel industry.” (Biotechfuel) Over all we would
produce more jobs and create a large sum of capital growth. As America is failing
currently economically, capital growth would be a major advancement and improment.
“A study from the University of Tennessee found that producing 25% of the US's energy
from agricultural resources would generate in excess of $700 billion annually in
economic activity, create 5.1 million jobs, and add $180 billion to net farm income by
2025.” (Biotechfuel) 5.1 million jobs created by 2025 would be a major boost in
America’s Economy. Already by Americas increase in production in Ethanol industry
has already created 200,000 jobs and 500,000 jobs in Brazil (Biotechfuel). By switching
to Bio-diesel and vertigrow we could create an equal or even more jobs then ethanol
based fuels.
The Social impact of bio-fuels worldwide is overwhelmingly positive and
negative, As Plantation development has caused and will continue causing land disputes
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Bio-fuels
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between those of the indigenous cultures and the companies coming in and possessing
their land. “Plantation developments have caused numerous land conflicts around the
world. In Indonesia, since indigenous people and other rural communities rarely have
formal land rights, palm oil companies have taken over large tracts of customary right
lands and community forest, which traditionally provide a livelihood to 40 million
people” (Social Impacts). This negative effect on these social cultures that leader to civil
unrest and disobedience. Most of these countries that bio-fuel crops plantations that are
being put up have seen an increase in crime and violence in these areas, “In Colombia, it
is estimated that between 1.87 and 3.83 million of people have been displaced by
violence such as murder or massacres, threats, kidnapping and torture” (Social Impacts).
This should not be accepted by any nation and land should be taking fairly and at a price.
Also not having Formal land documentation is a problem, although companies are taking
advantage of these third world countries.
Although there is a major negative effect there are also major positives, the UN
reports “With around 2 billion people, mostly in rural areas of developing countries, still
living without electricity or other modern energy services, increased use of so-called bioenergy can help diversify agricultural and forestry activities, improve food security,
contribute to sustainable development” (Biofuels). With the increase movement of
technology moving in these third world countries, we can push to move them towards
improving there standards of living and giving them a more stable life style. Also by
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Bio-fuels
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doing increasing Bio-crop production in these third world countries, they will skip the
whole processes of using fossil fuels as there major energy source (Biofuels). “In subSaharan Africa, where more than 90 per cent of the rural population lives without access
to electricity, bioenergy – with its two main components, wood energy and agro-energy –
can have a significant impact on improving livelihoods” (Biofuels). By increasing the
production of Bio-fuels we can introduce parts of the world to the age of technology.
Efficiency of Bio-Fuels:
Bio-fuels over all are more efficient in the amount of energy they take to
make and produce. Bio-Fuels are also known to be “Carbon Neutral”, because the
amount of carbon they produce is equivalent to the amount of carbon that is absorb when
they are in the crop form (Earth4Energy). “Ethanol is a very weak and inefficient source
of energy that people say by 2025 will account for about 10% of our energy consumption
will be beneficial does not hold true. In truth right now it is less than 2% and hasn’t
grown in a year” (Earth4Energy). However, the most popular bio-fuel, ethanol, which is
produced from vegetables, corn oil or sugar cane, is not sufficient to meet all our future
energy requirements” (Earth4Energy). Algae is way more efficient source of energy
because of how easy it is to make. “Algae consumes small amounts of energy while
producing considerable fuel output. Improved methods of oil extraction that the algae
produces are constantly being sought by those involved in this research” (Earth4Energy).
Bio-Fuels are a better source of fuel because they are distilled from organic matter and it
is one of the best ways of producing 'green' energy (Earth4Energy).
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Bio-fuels
Conclusively, bio-fuel, specifically biodiesel, is the path that America should be
headed in the near future of the fuel industry. There is proof enough in just the
comparison between the United States and other countries that America needs to begin
production and usage of bio-fuels. It is much easier and safer to produce bio-fuels than
petroleum based fuels, and the economic outcomes are extremely beneficial. Although
the price to establish the “green” fuel market is expensive, the benefits to the economy
make it worthwhile. Ethanol and other petroleum fuels are not the way that the nation
should be headed, rather, America should use bio-fuels such as biodiesel and vertigrow.
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Bio-fuels
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