Stephanie Wagner Sercan Cagatay Grace Tynemouth Biomass and Biofuels Stephanie Wagner Sercan Cagatay Grace Tynemouth

How do biofuels produce energy? Burning biomass releases energy. Can be converted into gas(methane). Does not add CO2 into the air. Used for fuel and heat. Comes from any organic source. Made from living organisms and their byproducts.

What is biodiesel? What is ethanol? What are they made from? Biodiesel- Fuel with no harmful effects on the air Made from vegetable oil. Ethanol- Fuel made from corn, grains, or agricultural waste. Used as a supplement for gasoline.

Advantages Cheaper than fossil fuels Carbon neutral Reduces Dependency on foreign oils Renewable-Can always produce more

Disadvantages Better Solutions- Hydrogen fuel cells More land to produce fuels means less land for food Releases high amounts of nitrous oxide in the air Few gas stations provide biofuels

Why are biofuels carbon neutral? Why is this beneficial for us? Burning biofuels still releases CO², but plants turn it into glucose. It’s stored in plants until the plants are burned for energy. For every gram of CO² released, a gram is taken in by a plant. This is beneficial for us because it’s taking out CO² in the air, so there is more oxygen for us to breathe.

Corn, sugar cane, and potatoes create the most ethanol. Which crop does the USA use to create most of its ethanol? Which crop is most efficient? Corn, sugar cane, and potatoes create the most ethanol. Sugar crops are the most efficient. Since it is a lower cost, it is beneficial for the United States to continue to use sugar.