disadvantage of garbage biofuel

Compared with making ethanol from crops, the environmental benefits of making it from waste are clear: It diminishes the demand for landfills and cuts greenhouse gas emissions. Biofuels are considered carbon neutral because the carbon dioxide emitted when they are burned is offset by the carbon dioxide that was absorbed by the plants during photosynthesis. But it is even more economical solution in terms of paying a cost set by international political agreements. Companies such as Ineos Bio are turning trash into other chemicals such as plastics. Overuse or inappropriate application can leave excess fertilizer in the soil, which then washes through regional watersheds and into streams, rivers, lakes and underground aquifers. Researchers are investigating ways to genetically engineer less thirsty crops, and carefully planning what biofuel crops to plant in a given region can mitigate this problem [source: Lau]. If biofuels are obtained from sustainable farming of reclaimed lands, their production may be much less polluting in terms of not degrading land or freshwater resources compared to fossil fuels. A 2005 study suggested that, using current farming and production technology, it takes anywhere from 27 to 118 percent more energy to produce a gallon of biodiesel than the energy it contains [source: Pimentel]. "10 Disadvantages of Biofuels" However, most of the time, the word biomass simply signifies the biological raw material from which the fuel is made, or some kind of thermally-chemically changed solid end product, like torrefied pellets or briquettes. 2010. Biofuels are derived from the decomposition of biological or organic waste. Weather issue 11. Some estimates state that algae and cyanobacteria could yield between 10 and 100 times more fuel per unit area than second-generation biofuels. (Jan. 14, 2011)http://www.afpc.tamu.edu/pubs/2/446/RR%2006-2.pdf, McKenna, Phil. 2. Disadvantages of Composting If the composted materials contain waste types such as animal or food waste there is a risk that diseases (for example "foot and mouth") may be spread in the compost. Certain crops will grow better in certain regions and may not grow at all in others. "Biofuel" is a major buzzword in transportation circles these days, and for good reason. Cellulosic ethanol is commonly made from sugarcane bagasse, a waste product from sugar processing, or from various grasses that can be cultivated on low-quality land. As an alternative to landfills, incineration offers the following advantages: #1 Far more efficient use of space. Moreover, not every climate zone is proper for a high-yield crop that could produce biodiesel economically. While local crops have reduced the countrys dependence on fossil fuels, some experts believe it will take a long time to solve the energy needs. Biofuel Disadvantage : Environmental Impact. 17 Advantages and Disadvantages of Algae Biofuel The first generation biofuels are produced from food crops grown on arable land. Farmers of corn, soybeans and cotton -- all potential biofuel sources -- are increasingly planting genetically modified versions of those plants [source: United States Department of Agriculture]. Traditional waste tire management strategies Advantages Disadvantages; Recycling and reclamation: Reduces global warming and helps preserve . Soil, groundwater and air pollution. Because biofuels can be produced from renewable resources, they bring less pollution to the planet. Easier availability of biomass, its low cost, and cheaper technologies involved mean producing bioenergy is cheaper when compared to most energy sources, especially fossil fuels. The process creates a synthetic gas (syngas), which can then be used for a wide variety of applications. In the planning stage, it is important to carefully evaluate the potential impacts of different biofuel production methods and prefer practices that minimize negative environmental and economic impacts. Your email address will not be published. Biofuels are a renewable resource, so they can be replenished over time. However, the high greenhouse emissions, deadly air pollution, instable fossil-based energy prices, and strong growth of global transportation fuel demand have boosted extensive research efforts in developing bioenergy. But the conversions add time and money to the biofuel equation, something that can be off-putting for potential biofuel users. With international trends swinging toward sustainable transportation, fuels such as corn-based ethanol and biodiesel from soy, switchgrass and palm oil seem like a good step toward cleaner, greener highways. Biofuels refer to fuels made from plant materials. A study in 2005 showed that using available farming and production technologies, from 27 to 118 percent more energy is needed to produce a gallon of biodiesel than the energy existing in it. This means that more biofuel is required to produce the same amount of energy as a smaller amount of fossil fuel. Despite the development of various technologies for converting waste tires into biofuels, there is a need for more cost-effective and efficient methods that can be scaled up for commercial production. When done right and well-regulated, the production of biofuels has potential to actually support local biodiversity by promoting the growth of crops that are providing support to soils and leave soils less prone to erosion. In theory, this seems to be a great way to keep up with the demand for biofuel crops. It takes up to 1.4 gallons of ethanol to replicate the mileage that 1 gallon of gasoline can provide. Because of the higher-than-petroleum gel point of many biodiesel-producing oils, a biodiesel engine can be difficult -- if not impossible -- to start in cold weather. Continue reading with a Scientific American subscription. Thanks for reading Scientific American. There are several different types of biofuels: liquid biofuels such as bioethanol and biodiesel; solid biofuels like wood pellets, fuelwood, or animals waste; and biogas like landfill gas. Thanks for reading Scientific American. Not every country has vast crude oil resources. Biofuels are compatible with current engine designs and work very well in most conditions. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.ucsusa.org/food_and_agriculture/science_and_impacts/impacts_genetic_engineering/environmental-effects-of.html, Naylor, Rosamond L. et al. To put it another way, think about a field of corn being grown for ethanol. This way biofuels also decrease our dependence on foreign oil, which helps to reduce our trade deficit and improve energy security on a country level. But the conversions impose additional time and money on the biofuel users. "It is logistically available and it is low in value, if not negative in value." "Oil Yields and Characteristics." Biofuel Disadvantages: In the creation of first generation biofuels, huge amounts of land are needed. Moisture is more likely to be absorbed by biofuels than fossil diesel, which causes problems in cold weather. The symbols of agricultural success in many parts of the world are endless fields of corn, soybeans or wheat, with identical crops stretching as far as the eye can see. While technology may eventually narrow those ratios, the input-output energy ratio of modern biofuel production is a major drawback to its widespread use. If the land used to grow a biofuel feedstock has to be cleared of native vegetation, then ecological damage is done in three ways. They produce industrial pollution. Compared to fossil fuels, biofuels are considered to be a more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy source due to their renewability and lower emissions of greenhouse gases during burning. When fossil fuels burn, they produce large amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, such as carbon dioxide. The problem is even worse for pure vegetable oil, used as fuel in so-called "greasecars." However, this is not the only reason to encourage the use of biofuels. In evaluating the economic benefits of biofuels, the energy required to produce them has to be taken into account. Easy Guide to Cooling Tower Efficiency & How To Increase it, Parts of Boiler and Their Function in the Boilers, Types of Alternator: Features, Advantages, and Vast Usage, Ball Valve Parts: An Easy-to-Understand Guide (2022 Updated). Another way in which biofuel production can compete with food production is through the use of food crops, such as corn, as feedstocks for biofuels rather than spending resources on processing corn for human consumption. But since many popular biofuel crops, such as corn and soybeans, are also popular food sources for much of the world, it stands to reason that the problems related to monoculture could get much worse as consumers demand more biofuel. Even if plant waste can be used as raw material, the demand for these products will still exist. DISADVANTAGES OF BIOETHANOL 1. Discover world-changing science. Alexander, C. et al. The carbon footprint that the use of biofuels leaves is quite substantial. For example, the production of biofuels can create jobs and stimulate economic development, but it can also lead to higher food prices and competition with other industries for resources. It generates harmful emissions 2. But large-scale biofuel production, especially corn products and in arid regions of the world, has to share limited water resources with drinking and irrigation needs. Biofuels have emerged as an alternative to fossil fuels in recent years due to their potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote the use of renewable energy. It has the same advantages as for AD (items 3 to 6 inclusive) over spreading untreated organic waste material on land. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. Exorbitant Production Costs 2. Making biofuels from waste makes dollars--and sense, Edmonton is Canada's chief oil city as well as the capital of Alberta, the province that hosts the bulk of the country's tar sands. "Growing Zone Information." But large-scale biofuel production -- especially using corn, and in arid parts of the world -- will have to share finite water resources with drinking and irrigation needs. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Biofuels. Required fields are marked *. Similarly, nutrients that are returned to the soil through crop rotation and allow fields to lay fallow disappear under extreme monocultural farming. Many common crops could economically produce biofuel in certain parts of the world. Corrections? Biomass production uses a lot of water 5. In a possible moderate ethanol production scenario that includes trash collection and cellulosic ethanol production, sugarcane has the potential to provide sufficient ethanol to meet 14% of Australia's . Compared to petroleum-based gasoline, ethanol is a less effective fuel. Carbon monoxide emissions are lower than that . Horgan. The energy that is obtained from biofuels is known as bioenergy. However, other biofuel crops, such as switchgrass and miscanthus, are considered to be low-input crops and need less pesticides. The reliability of biofuels as an energy source depends on a variety of factors, such as the feedstocks used, the production methods employed, and the end-use of the biofuels. According to the report of RFA (Renewable Fuels Association) in February 2019, ethanol is the highest-octane and the least expensive motor fuel on earth. We are going to describe these advantages in this section. Brazil and the United States are among the leading producers of ethanol. The transition to biofuels will affect especially economic sectors of agriculture, manufacture, reprocessing, recycling, and transportation. For example, emphasis on ethanol derived from corn is shifting grasslands and brushlands to corn monocultures, and emphasis on biodiesel is bringing down ancient tropical forests to make way for oil palm plantations. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Matt Cunningham Waste tires based biorefinery for biofuels and value-added materials This can make them less practical for some applications, such as long-distance transportation. If farmers are incentivized to plant crops that are not well suited for the location, they may end up needing more water than any other crops would. Producers that focus on a single cash crop each year face an increased risk of pest development, water pollution, and catastrophic failure. First, there's the issue of yield. However, in terms of cost, the overall benefits of using biofuels are much higher. However, ready access to food imports, and the ease of exporting, hinge on a wide range of political and social factors. In the transport sector, they are often used as a substitute for gasoline and diesel fuel. Studies show that the machinery needed to cultivate the crops emits large carbon emissions. Biofuel can be produced from plants or commercial, agricultural, domestic, or industrial wastes with a biological origin. During initial tests of a modified strain of corn, researchers discovered that the crop, which had been engineered to fight off a moth known to prey on corn, produced pollen that could possibly kill larvae of the monarch butterfly. Given the expense of converting this mix of dirt and heavy oils to more usable petroleum products, the province is not keen on alternative fuels. Some biofuel crops, such as corn and sugarcane, are considered to be high-input crops not only when it comes to water demand but even when it comes to the use of pesticides to protect them against insects, weeds, and diseases. Read more about us. List of Cons of Biofuels 1. Although current gas reservoirs will remain available for many years, they will deplete in anot-too-distant future. One way to deal with this lies in simple diplomacy: The globalization of world commerce means that today it is easier than ever to transfer food supplies from one point of the world to another in response to increased need. Most of the waste generated worldwide is biodegradable. Biofuel production may decrease the pesticide pollution if done sustainably and right, especially if perennial polycultures are involved. Industrial Pollution 6. Biofuels can require significant amounts of water for irrigation and processing, which can lead to water depletion and competition with other water uses, including even water for households, or for food production. But while different crops can be converted to biodiesel through the same process, the resulting fuel can be very different in its ability to produce energy. 6. The second most common liquid biofuel is biodiesel, which is made primarily from oily plants (such as the soybean or oil palm) and to a lesser extent from other oily sources (such as waste cooking fat from restaurant deep-frying). April 14, 2009. 22 Advantages and Disadvantages of Biofuels - Environment Go! The production and use of biofuels generates significantly less greenhouse gas emissions than the production and use of highly polluting fossil fuels. Advantages & Disadvantages of Ethanol Biofuel - Physics Unlike the first-generation ethanol biofuel produced from food crops, second-generation cellulosic ethanol is derived from low-value biomass that possesses a high cellulose content, including wood chips, crop residues, and municipal waste. It increases costs as well as the emissions produced in production and transport. Biofuels, and the process of integrating them into our fuel use habits, can be costly. New York City spends roughly $400 million each year to transport 14 million tons of waste to incinerators and landfills. One alternative involves the use of highly diverse mixtures of species, with the North American tallgrass prairie as a specific example. Biofuels each have their own set of benefits and drawbacks. While this is an economically attractive practice, playing off economies of scale to make the crop more profitable for the farmer, it can have severe environmental drawbacks. Nevertheless, in 2012 Edmonton will host a chemical plant owned by Enerkem that will turn garbage into 36 million liters of ethanol and methanol per year. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.importtuner.com/tech/impp_0904_e85_vs_conventional_gasoline/index.html, United States Department of Agriculture. And while biofuel is not as clean as other renewables and won't get us out of the woods when it comes to reversing the impacts of climate change, it is a reliable renewable source. For example, Range Fuels in Georgia similarly attempted to gasify waste from the pulp and paper industry and transform it into ethanol directly but foundered in perfecting its catalysts. Biofuel Biomass is the only renewable energy source that can be converted into liquid biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. This means large scale production to supply for a large population is still not possible. Advantages of Biofuels Biofuels costs have been declining and are likely to be far cheaper than petrol and other fossil fuels. But the fertilizers can have detrimental effects on the environment, and expanded biofuel production could pose a major threat due to freshwater pollution. For example, if crops grown for biofuels are planted on land that could be used for growing food crops. The mere biomass energy definition of turning waste to electricity is an exciting prospect and one that any logic dictates as a good idea to pursue. Environment. They are perennial. Additionally, biofuel production can also lead to changes in land use patterns, as farmers may shift from growing food crops to biofuel crops in order to take advantage of government incentives or higher prices for biofuel crops. 10 Biggest Pros and Cons of Biofuels - Green Garage All rights reserved. Pros and Cons Of Biofuel - Go Blue Sun Not Rotating the Crop 3. The heat, in turn, can be used to run generators in a power plant to produce electricity. Fossil fuels are non-renewable and release greenhouse gases during their combustion. But those fertilizers can have harmful effects on the surrounding environment, and expanded biofuel production could mean a major pollution threat to sources of fresh water. You may think that biofuels are used mainly in transport, but thats not all. Some long-exploited biofuels, such as wood, can be used directly as a raw material that is burned to produce heat. Therefore, the use of biofuels is less of a drain on the wallet. "E85 Vs Conventional Gasoline - Tech Knowledge." Biofuel can generate electricity and can be created from various waste products collected from the farming industry. The crops tend to be lesser varieties of the original, say of corn, for . Researchers are working to increase biofuel yields from weather-tolerant crops [source: Lau]. Biofuel does produce lower carbon emissions but their production does depend on water and oil. Biomass is plant or animal material like wood, energy crops, and waste from forests, farms, or yards utilized as fuel to generate electricity or heat. The major disadvantage of fuel ethanol, however, is its production cost. Land use is also a major factor in evaluating the benefits of biofuels. Biodiesel can be made from vegetable oils and animal fats. The pure form (B100) can be employed as a fuel for vehicles but is commonly used as a diesel additive to reduce particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons in diesel vehicles. Comparing renewable sources of energy - BBC Bitesize And the singular nature of a monoculture crop increases the risk of a total loss for the farmer; imagine the damage if a severe strain of corn blight hit an ethanol-producing corn farm [source: Altieri]. There are a few potential negative effects of biofuels on the environment and economy that need to be considered when forming an opinion about their use in the future. About 3.5 million tons of garbage is discarded in landfills every day. The greenhouse gases bring about global warming by trapping sunlight. The use of algae and cyanobacteria as a source of third-generation biodiesel holds promise but has been difficult to develop economically. It emits less harmful carbon compared to standard diesel. Feeding aquatic organisms from such contaminated water can lead to their death, as the oxygen in these waters is reduced and toxins are introduced into it. Many unsaturated oils have undesirable burn characteristics: They'll leave gummy residue in an engine when used as fuel. 23 Biomass Energy Advantages and Disadvantages - Vittana.org Import Tuner. While biofuels certainly have many potential benefits, there are also a number of challenges and trade-offs associated with their production and long-term use at larger scale. High Cost of Production Even with all the benefits associated with biofuels, they are quite expensive to produce in the current market. Many of the studies show that the machinery used to cultivate crops emits large quantities of carbon emissions. Another type of biofuel is biodiesel. Consequently, it makes sense to look for an unsaturated oil as a biofuel source. Waste Incineration: Advantages & Disadvantages | Greentumble With the growth of the biofuel industry, more jobs will be created, which will help keep the economy secure. Drivers of vehicles who use these fuels usually have to install heating units to protect the fuel tank and lines free from gelled fuel or dual-fuel mechanisms flushing the engine with petroleum diesel during start-up and shut-down. Think about the oils in your kitchen: While the olive oil in the cupboard is easy to pour, the lard and vegetable shortening have a paste-like consistency. Will alternative fuels deplete global corn supplies? That has yet to be an energy source that comes without some drawback. . Air quality sensing of particulate matter shows that levels of this damaging pollutant are high around such sites. Thankfully, it didn't sell well, so few fields were planted with it. This can limit the scale of biofuel production and make it more vulnerable to disruptions such as droughts, pests, and price fluctuations. Bloomberg Businessweek. Biological source of energy can be produced in many cases from locally available resources, which in turn decreases our reliance on imported fossil fuels that are even becoming rarer. Biofuel is produced from renewable resources and relatively less-flammable than fossil diesel. Technical Challenges Perhaps the simplest drawback of biofuels is that it is not petroleum-based fuel so that they will work differently in engines developed for petroleum-based fuel.

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