Biofuels The Best Alternative For Fossil Fuels Essay

For over forty years now, scientists and researchers have been tirelessly searching for an alternative to fossil fuels. Biofuels have become an interesting contender in the search for the replacement of the non-renewable energy source. Biofuels have been used throughout history for over thousands of years. There is a large debate over biofuels and its true impact on the environment. Those involved in the discussion debating whether biofuels have any real overwhelming benefits compared to fossil fuels could argue for its usage. According to recent research performed by the University of Michigan, biofuels may not be the best alternative for fossil fuels. Regardless of its impact on the environment, biofuels are becoming more popular particularly when the price of oil rises. Biofuels are fuels made from biomass, which is the organic physical material of an organism that is or was alive. Biomasses can be separated into two categories - liquids and solids. Liquid biomass fuels include biodiesel and ethanol. Solids include charcoal, garbage, wood, and manure. The majority of organic matter contains carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen, the same elements that make up fossil fuels such as petroleum and coal. Biomass can be burned as is or converted into a different fuel that burns more efficiently. The use of biomass for fuel is not a new idea, as humans long ago used whatever could help them survive. Solid biofuels like wood, manure, and charcoal have been used ever since man discoveredShow MoreRelatedBiofuels Vs. Fossil Fuels1622 Words   |  7 Pages Biofuels vs. Fossil Fuels (David Ross, 2005) Carbon dioxide, the chief byproduct of fossil fuel combustion, is a potent greenhouse gas that remains in the atmosphere indefinitely. In the U.S., the burning of coal for electricity pumps more than 2.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year, according to the Energy Information Administration. People ask what about the cars? How do they affect the environment? The average American passenger car spits out 11,450 pounds ofRead MoreThe Effects Of Fossil Fuels On The Environment1252 Words   |  6 PagesAll over the world, people have been stuck on using fossil fuels. This addiction has been ongoing for the past century as the primary source of energy. Global usage of fossil fuels which include oil, coal, and natural gas, is now producing mass amounts of greenhouse emissions within our atmosphere. Such a series of events have cascaded into changes that are currently effecting the earth on multiple levels. Several of these effects are, but are not limited t o: earth’s sea levels rising every yearRead MoreRenewable Sources of Energy1155 Words   |  5 PagesBiofuel is Fuel produced from renewable resources, especially plant biomass, vegetable oils, and treated municipal and industrial wastes. Every time we drive in a vehicle we are using nonrenewable resources that are bad for the environment. Using gasoline or diesel release chemicals called green house gasses into the environment. Because of theses harmful chemicals people have started to use biofuels. There are two types of biofuels, ethanol and biodiesel. Biofuel is Fuel produced from renewableRead MoreBiofuels : A Clean Alternative For Fossil Fuels?1737 Words   |  7 PagesBiofuels: A clean alternative to fossil fuels? Biofuels, like fossil fuels are hydrocarbons made from a living or once lived organism that humans can use to power something and uses biological carbon fixation, a process that takes inorganic carbon and converts it into organic compounds (Wikipedia). However, unlike fossil fuels, which can take millions of years to form, biofuels are produced in a short period of time such as days, weeks, or months. Because humans have been burning fossil fuelsRead More101 Biofuel s Future Of The U.s.1325 Words   |  6 Pagesthe major problems confronting the United States and the World today, is the growing lack of fossil fuels and the accrual emissions of carbon into the atmosphere. The United States is still dependent on fossil fuels today such as coal despite numerous efforts to decrease that dependency, and are also relying on imported oil from multiple foreign countries particularly in the Middle East. The use of fossil fuel has generated great anxiety in greenhouse gas emissions and governments from all over theRead MoreBiofuel and The Racing Industry Essay1097 Words   |  5 Pages The billion dollar racing industry uses high-octane fossil fuels for competition. Lately, ecologists and governments have begun to highlight the need for the racing industry to switch from high-octane fuels to biofuels. The concern for preserving diesel fuels stems from its non-renewal in nature; however, the racing industry should not be forced to use biofuels because of three primary reasons – performance, cost effectiveness and high infrastructure expenditure. The ecologists are of the opinionRead MoreAll Biofuels Are Not Created Equal by David Tilman and Jason Hill818 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"All Biofuels Are Not Created Equal† is a very informative article that everyone should be aware of. The authors of this article show how biofuels can be made to benefit Earth. Our ecological footprint is so big that everyone requires 2.5 Earths to maintain the same lifestyle. What does this reveal? It reveals that Earth’s resources are being diminished. This means that the world needs to do something to prevent this so Earth can last for future generations. The way that biofuels are being made isRead MoreA Term Paper On Energy Storage Systems Essay1524 Words   |  7 Pages A TERM PAPER ON BIOFUELS OLUCHUKWU C. OBINEGBO BLACKBOARD ID: oluchukwu1.obinegbo STUDENT ID #: 3002661138 COURSE NUMBER: EEL 4930 LECTURER-IN-CHARGE: DR JIM P. ZHENG EXECUTIVE SUMMARY After the discovery of electricity, effective and efficient methods have been sought to store energy for use on demand. Over the last century, industries which work towards the effective storage of energy have been evolving and adapting to change in energy requirements and advances in technology.Read MoreEssay Biodiesel vs. Ethanol1076 Words   |  5 Pagesvs. Ethanol Both biodiesel and ethanol are derivatives of biomass that have been processed to create a liquid biofuel. Both types of biofuels have been touted as secure and environmentally safe alternatives to fossil fuels, however the research verifying these claims is extensive but often contradicting. In the following paper, the efficiency and quality of the two types of biofuel will be discussed. The effects of variables such as source materials and production techniques on efficiency andRead MoreProspects Of An Automotive Fuel Essay1516 Words   |  7 PagesCHAPTER 1: INTRODUCT1ON 1.1. TITLE OF THESIS PROSPECTS OF 2, 5 DIMETHYL FURAN AS AN AUTOMOTIVE FUEL 1.2 . Overview of Topic Although there are only some biomass-derived fuels which are comparable to fossil fuels, the scientific investigate society has never ceased to look for renewable biofuel alternative. Used for the transportation sector, a useful biofuel must: †¢ be formed cheaply and proficiently †¢ have a comparatively high energy density, in both volume and weight, in order to reach