Biofuels

Hwang, Ha-Kyung AP Bio, per.1 June 6, 2009

History of Biofuels

• 1900s Rudolf Diesel first thought of using vegetable oil

• 1973-1974 Arab oil embargo

• 1978-1979 Iranian Revolution

•1970s- 1980sThe Clean Air

Act was proposed

by the Environmenta

l Protection Agency

•1982 the first International Conference on Plant and Vegetable Oil was held

• 1998 the Clean Air Act and Energy Policy Act were amended

Various Types of Biofuels

Biodiesel• is made with used vegetable oil

Bioalcolhol • biologically produced alcohol

Biogas• created when an anaerobe digests an organic material

Ethanol• the most commonly used biofuel in the world; usually made from maize

How to make Biofuels

1. Filtering2. Water removal

3. Titration 4. Preparation of

Sodium Methoxide 5. Mixing and Heating 6. Transesterification

Benefits &Drawbacks

• Biodegradable• Might end dependency on

foreign countries• Potentially unlimited /

renewable source of energy

• Improves the engine’s lubricity

• Increases green house effect

• Causes deforestation• Destroys biodiversity• Results in shortage of

food

Should we use the biofuels?

YES

Biofuels can be made with waste from

agricultural products.

because:

• The crops are used for food

• Reduce food shortage• No more land usage for

fuels• Lowers green house

emission• Saves water resource• No more deforestation• No more biodiversity

destruction