LATEST IN BIOFUEL TECHNOLOGY
Biofuels are high-energy liquid transportation fuels derived from agriculture, forestry waste or other sustainable biomass feedstock. The most common biofuels are bio-ehtanol and biodiesel which are used in transport. There are other biofuels also in use such as pure vegetable oil and biogas. The International Energy Agency (IEA) stated that up to 27% of world transportation can be provided by biofuel by the year 2050. The IEA technology roadmap shows how biofuel production can be expanded in a sustainable way. Widespread deployment of biofuels is important in reducing carbon dioxide emissions in the transportation sector as its demand for transport fuels is rising globally. The increase of biofuel consumption in a sustainable way can bring important life cycle benefit for the environment.
There are various methods done to reduce dependency on fossil fuel and carbon footprint to achieve an eco-friendly lifestyle. One of the new researches is converting the common algae into renewable fuel that can be used in automobiles with combustible type engines. According to the research done in the University of Kansas, the algae can survive on sunlight, nitrogen, phosphorous and carbon dioxide from which organic acids and biofuel is produced. Carbohydrates are extracted after scraping the algae and drying it and which are converted to natural sugars. The sugars are converted into butyric, lactic and acetic acids via fermentation process. The butyric acid is again converted into butanol and this process was made faster by electrodeionization. It is a special technique developed to make the entire fuel conversion process speedier and less costly. Thus, it makes the new conversion process less expensive and certainly more efficient. This process makes the water healthier and less polluted and the algae is safe for marine flora and fauna as it uses extra nitrogen and phosphorous in the existent water. By growing and harvesting the raw material, this process can make rivers and lakes healthier. (more…)
