The fossil resources from which the manufacture of fuels originates are increasingly scarce. For this reason and to depend less on fossil fuels, scientists have developed alternatives such as biofuels of which we now explain in more detail what they are, their definition, examples and their uses.
What are biofuels: definition, examples and their uses
Biofuels (also called “green fuels”) are fuels made primarily from biomass . The notion of biomass designates the living organic mass, animal and vegetable, which can serve as a source of energy . Elements as diverse as wood, plants, cereals, but also agricultural residues are, for example, part of the biomass.
In terms of use , biofuels are generally added to fossil fuels. Their incorporation makes these fossil fuels less harmful to the environment (greater absorption of CO2 emissions and therefore limitation of global warming).
In addition to improving environmental protection, biofuel development aims to provide additional outlets for the agricultural sector and create jobs .
Biomass can also be used for the production of electricity.
What are the different types of biofuels?
There are two main types of biofuels , those that are blended with gasoline and those that are blended with diesel.
- Biofuels for gasoline vehicles : There are several types of green fuels for gasoline vehicles, one is ethanol which is an agricultural biofuel that is made mainly from sugar beets and cereals, such as wheat and corn. You can also find, to a lesser extent, wine residues such as wine lees or grape marc. Ethanol is the result of industrial fermentation, followed by distillation and dehydration. Upon completion, it can be added to three types of fuels: SP95, SP98, and E85. We also have to talk about ETBE (ethyl tertiary butyl ether) which is a derivative of ethanol. It consists of ethanol, a substance made from agricultural products, and isobutene, which is of chemical origin.
- Biofuels for diesel vehicles: This type of biofuel is often referred to as ‘biodiesel’. It is made of: oils obtained from oleaginous plants such as rapeseed, sunflower, palm, soybean; used and recovered edible vegetable oils; of animal fats.
As with biofuels for gasoline engines , the raw material is processed so that it can be used in a vehicle . We speak in this case of a chemical reaction called transesterification (the raw material is mixed with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst).
New types of biofuels under study
The aforementioned ethanol, ETBE and biodiesel are manufactured on an industrial scale and mainly use raw materials that are also used for food purposes.
To limit this competition with the food industry, limit the demand for land and increase the availability of fuels that are ecological, the creation of other types of biofuels is being studied . The main avenues currently being explored are:
- biofuels created from lignocellulosic biomass, that is, agricultural residues, forest residues, wood, dedicated plants, etc. ;
- biofuels made from microorganisms , such as microalgae.
At the moment, the path of biofuels based on lignocellulosic biomass is the most advanced in terms of research. They are expected to enter the market in the next few years.
