The oil in their grains is pressed out, filtered, and reformed to fuel by a chemical process. Biofuels are an alternative to fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal). 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. Let us know if you liked this article. Quick Navigation for Advantages and disadvantages of biofuels, [1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK196452/. "Modern Agriculture: Ecological impacts and the possibilities for truly sustainable farming." Nitrogen added to drinking water can cause health problems, like methemoglobinemia, a disease that prevents infants from using the oxygen in their blood. The production of biofuels can compete with food production for land and resources, which can lead to higher food prices. Therefore, the use of biofuels is less of a drain on the wallet. The process creates a synthetic gas (syngas), which can then be used for a wide variety of applications. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Linquipis a Professional Network for Equipment manufacturers, industrial customers, and service providers, Copyright 2022 Linquip Company. But while different crops can become biodiesel through the same process, the resulting fuel can vary greatly in its ability to produce power. Common fertilizers include nitrogen and phosphorus. "Adoption of Genetically Engineered Crops in the U.S." July 1, 2010. Biofuels emit less of these "greenhouse gases" and so presumably contribute less to global warming. 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. Ethanol also absorbs water easily giving it a high tendency to corrode materials. "It's a pittance being spent on reducing our dependence on oil than putting our boys in harm's way overseas," says Coskata's Wesley Bolsen, chief marketing officer and vice president for government affairs. Biofuels also supply environmental benefits but, depending on how they are manufactured, can also have serious environmental drawbacks. Aug. 11, 2006. These differences in state at a given temperature come from the oils' molecular makeup. The use of biofuels improves energy security of individual countries by diversifying the energy mix and reducing reliance of countries on a single energy source. This difference affects the viability of the oil as fuel. One way is through direct competition for land, water, and other resources. These materials include plant matter such as corn, soybeans, and sugarcane, as well as animal fats and agricultural waste. Similar to petroleum fuels, biofuels are flammable (especially ethanol) and must be transported carefully. Corn ethanol, for example, takes a great deal more energy to create than it creates itself when burned. Researchers found that the crop engineered to fight off a moth known as prey on corn created pollen that could kill larvae of the monarch butterfly. Land use for biofuels may not cause a severe shortage of food; however, it will put pressure on the current increase of crops. Pure ethanol and biodiesel are nontoxic and biodegradable, and if spilled, they break down into harmless substances. "Essentially, we intersect [with the waste] before it goes to the landfill, where it would just contribute to the methane gas already coming from there," says Ineos business manager, Dan Cummings. See Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, Find out More about Renewable Energy Device & Equipment in Linquip, See List of all Renewable Energy Manufacturing Companies in Linquip. Advantages of Biofuels. Greentumble is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. Explore our digital archive back to 1845, including articles by more than 150 Nobel Prize winners. 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]. Another challenge is the limited energy density of biofuels. This isn't the selective breeding that farmers have practiced for years; genetically modified crops are altered in the lab to tolerate herbicides better, fight off pests or produce higher yields. "Nature has not given us that selectivity to shift syngas to ethanol," notes chemical engineer Chornet, who started Enerkem in 2000 to make fuel from forestry residues, inspired by his father on Spain's island of Majorca, who made electricity by burning wood waste from his sawmill in the 1930s. These air pollutants can cause respiratory and cardiovascular problems, as well as damage to crops, forests, and other ecosystems. 2. It also prevents crop rotation and in turn prevents the soil from recovery from nutritional depletion. All rights reserved. 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. 19 January 2011. We are going to describe these advantages in this section. The Indonesian palm oil problem is really a combination of biofuel's drawbacks. That has yet to be an energy source that comes without some drawback. 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. In small countries, or in municipalities where landfills are full and . In recent years, biofuel development and use has risen significantly. Jan. 31, 2007. Can Renewable Energies Solve the Grave Problem of Climate Change? Such a material is said to be carbon neutral. In practice, however, the industrial production of agricultural biofuels can result in additional emissions of greenhouse gases that may offset the benefits of using a renewable fuel. What does it mean? Some long-exploited biofuels, such as wood, can be used directly as a raw material that is burned to produce heat. The green biomass from these grasses can be harvested regularly for the use as a biofuel. 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. Disadvantages of Biofuels Despite the benefits, there are some disadvantages of biofuels that make the general population hesitant to use them. This is due to the fact that biofuels are derived from renewable resources, such as crops and waste materials, which is more expensive to grow and process than fossil fuels. The disadvantages covered include production costs and resources. Additionally, biofuel production can also lead to changes in land use patterns, which can displace local communities and increase the cost of land. Most biofuels are formed from plant matter. 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. Hundreds and even thousands of hectares of unbroken acres of one crop are an irresistible destination for plant pests; pest groups can explode uncontrollably in this tempting environment. True, a plant-based fuel comes from a renewable source, while fossil fuels will eventually run out. One potential challenge to the reliability of biofuels is their limited availability, as they are only produced from certain feedstocks (as mentioned in the disadvantages section). And once the chemicals are in the water supply, bad things can happen. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Some of these chemicals, which are mostly related to the combustion of non-biomass materials in garbage, can be hazardous to people and the environment if they are not properly controlled. If you live in Zone 5, for example, you will likely have trouble growing a plant that requires the long growing season and high heat of Zone 10 [source: Burpee]. Segregating organic waste from the garbage to generate Biogas considerably reduces wastes from landfills. Associate Professor of Engineering Systems and Atmospheric Chemistry, Engineering Systems Division and Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In other words, not all biofuel crops are created equal. 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. But biofuels aren't completely cost-free. And. 10 Disadvantages of Biofuels By: Matt Cunningham Biofuels, made from crops such as corn, can have negative economic and environmental effects, as well as positive ones. Some studies are underway to increase the yields of biofuel from weather-tolerant crops. . However, ease of access to food imports and the export depends on a wide variety of political and social factors. Turning garbage into fuel is potentially an answer to two pressing problemsdiminishing the world's dependence on fossil fuels and an alternative to burying trash in landfills. Its application in transport industry would cut a big part of the air pollution originating from this growing industry [2]. Some crops will grow better in certain areas and may not grow at all in other regions. Additionally, using crops for biofuels can also lead to a decrease in the availability of food, as well as an increase in the cost of food. The molecular bonds in oils low in saturated fats, which stay liquid at lower temperatures, vary from those high in saturated fats, which often form solids in average temperature ranges. Biodiesel, that is produced from animal fats or vegetable oils, can be used as a replacement for diesel fuel in heavy-duty work vehicles like trucks or buses. It takes biomass and turns it into a clean-burning fuel. When they are used as fuel, they leave gummy residue in the engine. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. . 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. September 2007. As an alternative source of energy, they also reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, minimizing or emitting negative effects that come with the use of this polluting and limited source that has been powering our economies since the industrial revolution but has also brought about increased pollution levels and emissions of greenhouse gases. Monoculture refers to the production of one concentrated crop rather than the rotating of different crops through a farmers field over time. Many fertilizers contain nitrogen and phosphorus. But the conversions add time and money to the biofuel equation, something that can be off-putting for potential biofuel users. Similarly, BlueFire Ethanol turns waste into ethanol by using sulfuric acid to release the cellulose in the trash and then adds enzymes and microbes to ferment it into fuel. Given that the conversion rate is lower than with first-generation biofuels, cellulosic ethanol is dominantly used as a gasoline additive. Also, alcohol fuels (including ethanol) may corrode or damage some of the metal and rubber fittings utilized in gasoline-based engines. On the other hand, because many biofuel feedstocks require land, water, and other resources, research suggests that biofuel production may give rise to several undesirable effects. As the demand for biofuels increases, it is also possible that they will become cheaper in the future. Consumers living in a low-producing region would need to have biofuel trucked or piped to them, increasing both cost and the amount of emissions produced in production and transport [source: Pimentel]. Bioenergy is less expensive. The benefits of biofuels compared to fossil fuels depend on a variety of factors that need to be considered when used on a large scale. Nitrogen in drinking water can lead to a host of health problems, including methemoglobinemia, a condition that prevents infants from utilizing the oxygen in their blood [source: Rosen and Horgan]. 1. Moisture is more likely to be absorbed by biofuels than fossil diesel, which causes problems in cold weather. What is Distributed Generation? List of Cons of Biofuels 1. Advantages of Biofuels Biofuels costs have been declining and are likely to be far cheaper than petrol and other fossil fuels. And high-consumption production practices -- moving palm oil with petroleum-powered trucks and the practice of draining and burning peat bogs to prepare farmland -- have made the southeast Asian nation one of the world's leading greenhouse gas emitters [source: Rosenthal]. In this regard, cellulosic biomass is considered to be more beneficial. Corrections? Engines designed to operate on biofuels produce lower emissions than other diesel engines. But the conversions impose additional time and money on the biofuel users. If the land used to grow a biofuel feedstock has to be cleared of native vegetation, then ecological damage is done in three ways. Biofuels are an energy source obtained from organic material (animal waste, plants, etc. 6. Which brings us to the second advantage. It has a lower cost for the environment, as it doesnt have to be brought over a long distance, releasing carbon dioxide emissions. (Jan. 14, 2011)http://www.springerlink.com/content/r1552355771656v0/, Rosen, C.J. Its also worth noting that the cost of fossil fuels fluctuates greatly depending on the market and political situation. Fossil fuels are non-renewable and release greenhouse gases during their combustion. Hydrogenating, or treating the oil with hydrogen, can mitigate this problem, but increased processing means increased cost [source: Journey to Forever]. Not Rotating the Crop 3. One alternative involves the use of highly diverse mixtures of species, with the North American tallgrass prairie as a specific example. This undergraduate laboratory experiment educates students on the various alternative fuels that are being developed for automotive applications and the advantages and disadvantages of each. Disadvantage of Biofuels Energy output Indirect Carbon Emissions Much Higher Initial Cost Food Prices May Strain Water Resources Destruction of Cultivable Land Conclusion on Biofuel Pros and Cons Related Resources Biofuel Pros and Cons Analysis: How Does It Work? You may think that biofuels are used mainly in transport, but thats not all. Additionally, they have a higher viscosity than fossil fuels, which can eventually lead to clogging or damage of fuel filters, injectors, and pumps. The liquid biofuel in greatest production is ethanol (ethyl alcohol), which is made by fermenting starch or sugar. Land use is also a major factor in evaluating the benefits of biofuels. However, it is important to carefully evaluate the environmental impacts of biofuels in order to ensure that they are being used in the most sustainable and responsible way possible. However, fuel ethanol contains denaturants to make fuel ethanol undrinkable. But that price quickly trickles down to consumers. 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. "Environmental Effects of Genetically Modified Food Crops -- Recent Experiences." It takes up to 1.4 gallons of ethanol to replicate the mileage that 1 gallon of gasoline can provide. Biofuel typically involves contemporary carbon fixation, such as happens in plants or microalgae during photosynthesis. Our goal is to inspire people to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life. Lets have a look at the main advantages of biofuels over fossil fuels: Biofuels replenish over time, whereas fossil fuels are non-renewable and will eventually run out. Many biofuel crops are applied to produce biodiesel. It is also important to consider the full life cycle of biofuels, from production to end-use to ensure that they are used in the most sustainable and efficient manner possible. Biofuels are often not compatible with traditional fossil fuel infrastructure because they have different chemical and physical properties. The development of new biofuels technologies can support innovation and drive economic growth in a sustainable way. The energy that is obtained from biofuels is known as bioenergy. However, in terms of cost, the overall benefits of using biofuels are much higher. 2009. But there's another complication that arises with this selection. Ignorance Conclusion Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). One obvious consideration is the gel, or clouding, point: A fuel that turns solid well above water's freezing point would not be very useful in a cold location. Feb. 5, 2007. Industrial Pollution 6. They produce industrial pollution. The major disadvantage to using algae to produce biofuels is the cost, which in part is due to the fact that the practice of using algae to produce biofuels is relatively new and requires additional research and development to find less costly production methods. As an alternative to landfills, incineration offers the following advantages: #1 Far more efficient use of space. Examples include ancient people burning wood and branches to generate fire. The clearing of land can also result in the sudden release of a large amount of carbon dioxide as the plant matter that it contains is burned or allowed to decay. Temperate zone plant biomass per hectare could be as high as 20 t. Switchgrass have reported yields up to 30 t ha 1. Renewability Is an Advantage It takes a very long time for fossil fuels to be produced. "Growing Zone Information." In the transport sector, they are often used as a substitute for gasoline and diesel fuel. Coskata, Inc., has had a large demonstration plant that uses microbes to turn gasified waste into ethanol since 2009, and argues that it should remain the "major renewable liquid fuel" due to the ease with which biomass (or waste) can be transformed into italthough subsidies are required to develop the technology. Although current gas reservoirs will remain available for many years, they will deplete in anot-too-distant future. 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. Except providing new livelihood opportunities for local families, they could also represent a sustainable and innovative option that will contribute to rural development. That directly translates into more expensive bacon and ham at the grocery store [source: Carey]. "Biofuel" is a major buzzword in transportation circles these days, and for good reason. The water demands of some biofuel crops can put unsustainable pressure on local water resources if not handled carefully. Although it has been stated quite extensively that biofuels have an overall positive environmental impact, it may be well to explore the disadvantages of biofuels in this respect. In this respect, ethanol made from corn represents a relatively small energy gain; the energy gain from sugarcane is greater and that from cellulosic ethanol or algae biodiesel could be even greater. Second, the oil these plants produce is not equal. But we must realize that nothing in life is straightforward and applicable to all situations. By that time, the corn had been on the market for a season. Under this vision, biofuel crops would remove carbon dioxide from the air as they grow, and energy facilities would capture the carbon dioxide given off as biofuels are burned to generate power. Higher the diversity of plants, better natural resistance to diseases and pests. A 2009 study suggests that, in the rush to produce enough corn-based ethanol to meet federal alternative energy requirements, biofuel demand is already putting stress on fresh water supplies in the Great Plains and central Southwest [source: McKenna]. Advantages And Disadvantages Of Ethanol - Ethanol is a volatile, colorless and flammable alcohol obtained from corn or cellulosic materials, and is used as an alternative fuel to gasoline and diesel. Biodiesel is less efficient than gasoline Biomass: Should we focus on more eco-friendly renewable energy? As a result, looking for unsaturated oil as a biofuel source is reasonable. Likewise, the fertilizer, water and land required to produce enough biofuel to reduce fossil fuel consumption significantly can create other problems, ranging from increased pollution to decreased access to food. Plantation owners prepared their operations to meet the demand . The greenhouse emission potential of biofuel varies considerably, from levels comparable to fossil fuels in some situations to negative emissions in others. Biofuel production using food crops such as corn, soybeans and sorghum has the potential to alter drastically the world's access to affordable food. Biofuels have some advantages over their counterparts. 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]. Discover world-changing science. Adverse consequences can occur when chemicals are in the water supply. Thanks for reading Scientific American. The legislation also requires, with certain stipulations, that 79 billion litres (21 billion gallons) of the total amount be biofuels other than corn-derived ethanol, and it continued certain government subsidies and tax incentives for biofuel production. The garbage to biofuel process is not only an alternative way to produce home . As the name suggests, biofuels are derived from plant and their products.