Is cellulosic ethanol better than other types of automotive alternative fuels? Recent studies conducted by scientists have determined that cellulose ethanol is better than the corn variety because it has fewer particulates and does not release as many greenhouse gases as the corn version of this fuel. There is also no problem or conflicts with the global food supply because cellulosic ethanol is made from plants that are not used for food in any way. With other types of this biofuel, corn and other materials are used that are also used in the food supply, and this can create a conflict between food and fuel. Some critics have condemned the first generation of ethanol because of the fact that it takes from the food supply and can lead to food shortages, increased prices and hunger in third world countries.  Continue Reading »

Can switching to a biofuel engine be the key to powering a greener tomorrow? The benefits of biofuels are not in dispute, and there are many types of biofuels to choose from. A biofuel engine does not run on fossil fuels but instead uses one of the biofuels such as biodiesel or ethanol for the power needed to run the vehicle. These fuels are much cleaner than traditional fossil fuel, which means burning them does not create the same pollution produced by the burning of fossil fuels. It also reduces the release of greenhouse gases that speed up global warming. Oil and other fossil fuels are available in a limited supply, which means that they will run out at some point in the near future. These fuels are also very harmful to the earth and the environment when they are burned.  Continue Reading »

Biomass fuels have been called the energy of the future, but how are they amassed? The alternative fuels definition defines these choices as those which are not conventional or based on fossil fuels like oil, coal, and other natural resources that are not renewable or sustainable. The alternative fuels index has shown that biodiesel is gaining a big market share, and this is true of other biomass fuels as well. These power sources can have many different origins because each type may come from a different plant or organic source. Algae, fungi, plant wastes and even household garbage can all be turned into environmentally friendly fuel sources. These sources of energy are made from biomass, which is any type of organic material that decays and breaks down.  Continue Reading »

Sugar cane biofuel has been called a miracle biofuel by many around the world for a number of reasons. There are many types of biofuels, and each biofuel production has pros and cons. One of the reasons that sugar cane biofuel is considered a great option is because it does not require much energy to transform it into ethanol. Another benefit is that the fiber left over after the juice has been removed is used as a heat source for the process. The ethanol that is produced can be used as a clean burning and environmentally friendly alternative fuel for vehicles. There are no greenhouse gas emissions, pollutants from burning this type of fuel, or many of the other negative effects that traditional fossil fuels can cause.  Continue Reading »

What is switchgrass ethanol? This is ethanol that is produced using switchgrass as the feedstock, and it has many of the ethanol fuel pros and cons. Ethanol subsidies help switchgrass ethanol production, and helps this sector stay competitive in the alternative energy industry. This native grass has many benefits when it comes to biofuel production. It grows very quickly, and does not require fertile land that could be used for food crops instead. When switchgrass is used it eliminates the fuel versus food debate that appears when corn or other food crops are used to produce ethanol. This grass is full of cellulose, and the parts of the plant that can not be converted into biofuel can be used to provide heat for the process instead.  Continue Reading »

Cellulose ethanol is different from the first generation of this alternative fuel, because conventional ethanol is made from corn and other soft starches. This has led to critics of the first generation fuel to contend that alternative fuels take away from the global food supply and contribute to world hunger and famine in certain areas. Cellulosic ethanol production does not involve this drawback, because no food crops or fertile crop land are used to produce the alternative fuel. Cellulose ethanol is created using plants that grow on land not suitable for food crops, and the plants are not used at all in the food supply. Feedstocks for this fuel type include switchgrass, agricultural wastes, and even municipal waste from household garbage. These are feedstocks that would be discarded as wastes anyway, so it makes sense to use them for biofuels instead.  Continue Reading »

What is sweet sorghum? This substance is both a food and it meets the alternative fuels definition if it is processed into ethanol. When it is converted into ethanol then it may be listed on the alternative fuels index. Sweet sorghum comes from sorghum cane, and it is the juice which is taken from the plant and used undiluted. After it is harvested, the juice of the plant is concentrated down and any impurities are removed. After the juice is processed it is an amber color and clear. The sugars in the syrup are concentrated down, making it the perfect feedstock for fermentation into ethanol. The ethanol produced meets the alternative fuels definition and can be found in the alternative fuels index each week.  Continue Reading »

Biomass boilers are becoming more and more popular because they are energy efficient and can significantly reduce your energy bill. Understanding biomass boilers is the first step in making your home comfortable and warm as well as creating cost effectiveness.  Continue Reading »

It is possible to make your own wood pellets, and these can be used in a wood pellet furnace or in biomass burners. To make your own wood pellets there are two parts of the process, and two types of equipment or materials needed. You will need the raw materials that will be used to make the wood pellets and you will need the specialized pellet mill. This piece of equipment can either be made or it can be purchased. The raw material is always some type of biomass, whether it is wood of any type or sawdust, grains, various parts of corn plants, and many other sources. If wood is not the material used then a binder may need to be added to hold the pellet together.  Continue Reading »

• Ethanol and biodiesel are biofuels which are used in combination with petroleum fuels to burn cleaner
• Biodiesel feedstock can be soybeans, algae, fungus,……

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Hydrogen fuel cell technology has the ability to change the future of energy completely. Hydrogen fueled cars could put an end to our dependence on gasoline and diesel fuel,… Continue Reading »

Scientific research into efficient and cost effective biofuels have gone on for years, and have made many advancements but have not solved the energy and fuel problem. There was hope when Tel Aviv University scientists discovered a fungus that is very resistant… Continue Reading »

A type of tree fungus has been shown to be a new natural source for biodiesel fuel. This discovery may lead to further advancement in biofuel technology and help find a way to replace oil and other fossil fuels to end current dependence on foreign oil. It almost seems like science fiction, the fact that a fungus may turn out to be the answer to alternative and renewable fuels to replace oil. Biodiesel is a much more environmentally friendly fuel than gasoline, with less harmful sulfur and carbon emissions, as well as particulates. Vehicles that run on biodiesel do not pollute the air in significant amounts like traditional diesel does. The fungus responsible is called gliocladium roseum. This fungus produces hydrocarbons that are mid-length and are found in traditional diesel, gasoline, and jet fuels. That means this fungus produces hydrocarbons that can be used to manufacture biodiesel. Continue Reading »

What is Liquid Petroleum Gas, also known as LPG? LPG includes both butane and propane gas, and is a generic term for both of these gases. LPG is gas that consists of hydrocarbon gases that are combined. LPG is a fuel that is used in automobiles and other vehicles and also to heat appliances. LPG can also be used as a refrigerant, and is becoming more popular as an aerosol propellant as well. LPG is more environmentally friendly than using either oil or coal. Liquid Petroleum Gas is made during the crude oil refining process. This gas can also be taken from streams of gas or oil that come up out of the ground. Because LPG comes from oil, it is a fossil fuel and as such is not either renewable or sustainable.

LPG is used in more than five million vehicles around the world, and hundreds of thousands of these are right here in America. It occurs naturally in the ground, usually located around oil and natural gas reserves. LPG must be processed and can not be used in the natural state due to contamination from water and impurities. More than ninety percent of LPG that is used in this country is produces here, so LPG may be a possible solution to ending our dependence on foreign oil. LPG burns very cleanly, and this gives it an added benefit over oil or coal. Much less maintenance is needed for systems that burn LPG because there is substantially less carbon buildup. This reduces the chance of an accidental fire or blockage, which can be caused by a high level of carbon buildup in the system. Continue Reading »

Methanol fuel can be called other names, like M85 and wood alcohol. M85 is a methanol fuel that is similar to ethanol, and can be a renewable alternative energy source for vehicles that i more environmentally friendly than fossil fuels, with far fewer carbon emissions and contributions to global warming. M85 is the name given methanol fuel that contains eighty five percent methanol and fifteen percent normal gasoline. This fuel is produced through a process that uses steam and catalysts to transform methane gas into methanol fuel. Almost all the methanol that is produced in America is done using methane that comes from natural gas, but there are other options available. Methane can also be produced using biogas or coal as well. Biogas is created from biomass, or organic matter, that ferments, such as manure and sewage.  Continue Reading »