What You Should Know About Biofuel

Today, biofuel is among the leading sources of energy. As we can see now, there are a lot of cars that make use of biofuel as alternative to petroleum-based fuels such as petroleum or diesel. This is due to the recent rise in oil prices. Also, the number of people who have become aware of the deteriorated effects of the continued use of petroleum-based fuels to the environment is increased making this kind of fuel gains its popularity.

Biofuel is an environmentally friendly fuel in any forms (liquid, solid or gas) that is produced from a recently dead biological matter. This is what distinguishes biofuel from a petroleum-based fuel or fossil fuel, as fossil fuel is a cause of global warming and is composed of long dead biological matter. A fuel is considered a biofuel if it contains more than 80% renewable materials.



The organic materials used to make up biofuel can come from oily plants such as rape seed, vegetable oils and animal fats; starch and sugary plants such as wheat or sugar cane and corn; wood and straw; algae and organic waste; soya beans and more. Ethanol is the specific kind of biofuel made of corn, while biodiesel is the particular type of biofuel generated from soybeans. Biomass, which includes wood and other animal and plant matter, is another kind of renewable fuel categorized as biofuel.

Biofuel is actually not a recent invention. In fact, the history of this cleaner fuel has already started since the 1800s. That was when an engine designed to run on peanut oil was introduced by Rudolf Diesel. The discovery was later followed by Nicolaus Otto who pioneered a spark-ignition engine that was run on ethanol.

The main characteristic of biofuel is renewable as it is produced from organic matters, which can be replenished. It is also biodegradable as when burned this fuel does not stay in the environment. Instead, it will dissipate eventually without harming the nature or discourage its balance. Biofuel is cleaner and greener as compared to fossil fuel because when biofuel is burnt, it generates very low amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuel is able to produce 93% higher energy compared to the quantity of energy required to produce it.

The increasing use of biofuel is a good thing because it will significantly reduce air pollution. This fuel can reduce our dependence on non-renewable fossil fuels as an energy source that cannot be replenished. In terms of jobs creation, the rising number of biofuel refineries can help job seekers to find more jobs in these fields. Moreover, biofuel production can add the economy of farmers who plant the necessary crops.

Stalis Ethica is an experienced article writer and a writer manager with science background. She specializes in writing informative articles in various niches.

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