Because biomass technically can be used directly as a fuel, sometimes the terms biomass and biofuel are used interchangeably. And alcohol fuels (including ethanol) can corrode or damage some of the metal and rubber fittings used in gasoline-powered engines. The Pros and Cons of Ethanol Fuel - Treehugger And once the chemicals are in the water supply, bad things can happen. But if the tractors that tend the field burn 75 gallons of fuel in the season, the truck to transport the corn to a processor burns 20 gallons on the trip, and the processor uses the energy of 40 gallons of fuel to run its distillation equipment, is the ethanol produced really an environmentally friendly, low-emission fuel? 100% Biodiesel is actually just as biodegradable as sugar and ten times less toxic when compared with table salt. Advantages of Biofuels - Biofuel Information Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Had it been the season's popular strain of corn, there could have been an ecological disaster as monarchs migrated through the corn-heavy American Midwest [source: Mellon and Rissler]. One alternative involves the use of highly diverse mixtures of species, with the North American tallgrass prairie as a specific example. Industrial Pollution 6. Air quality sensing of particulate matter shows that levels of this damaging pollutant are high around such sites. High Cost of Production Even with all the benefits associated with biofuels, they are quite expensive to produce in the current market. The major disadvantage of fuel ethanol, however, is its production cost. And once the engine's running, the differences in combustion properties between gasoline and ethanol means that the ethanol-converted engine needs to have its ignition timing adjusted to operate properly [source: Tsuneishi]. 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. The production of biofuels can compete with food production for land and resources, which can lead to higher food prices. The production cost per liter of ethanol is still high compared . As a renewable energy source, plant-based biofuels in principle make little net contribution to global warming and climate change; the carbon dioxide (a major greenhouse gas) that enters the air during combustion will have been removed from the air earlier as growing plants engage in photosynthesis. Most biofuels are formed from plant matter. The ragged stripes stretching from east to west are growing zones: regions where water supply, temperature and sunlight make hospitable climates for certain types of plants. Therefore, the use of biofuels is less of a drain on the wallet. You can substitute it for corn ethanol if produced at a lower cost. Manure and other animal waste can be converted to sustainably meet the energy needs of the farm. The regional nature of high-producing plants such as palm oil means that certain parts of the world are agricultural gold mines: Biofuel demand motivates plantations to expand quickly. List of Cons of Biofuels 1. 10 Disadvantages of Biofuels | HowStuffWorks Captured carbon dioxide could be sequestered (stored) in long-term repositories such as geologic formations beneath the land, in sediments of the deep ocean, or conceivably as solids such as carbonates. Algae has the same concerns of monoculture that the agriculture industry experiences. But there is another problem that appears with this selection. The second most common liquid biofuel is biodiesel, which is made primarily from oily plants (such as the soybean or oil palm) and to a lesser extent from other oily sources (such as waste cooking fat from restaurant deep-frying). They produce industrial pollution. It takes up to 1.4 gallons of ethanol to replicate the mileage that 1 gallon of gasoline can provide. Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Matt Cunningham Biofuels are a renewable resource, so they can be replenished over time. Comparing renewable sources of energy - BBC Bitesize Algae can be formed in ponds or tanks on land or out at sea. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7a2e12d729352bd1 Home > Renewable Energy > Biofuels Advantages and Disadvantages in 2022. But biofuels aren't completely cost-free. Biofuels are generally of two categories: gaseous biofuel and liquid biofuel. Lower carbon emissions make them a safer alternative to preserve atmospheric quality and lower air pollution. Biofuels emit less of these "greenhouse gases" and so presumably contribute less to global warming. . But large-scale biofuel production, especially corn products and in arid regions of the world, has to share limited water resources with drinking and irrigation needs. Disadvantages of Biofuels | The Research Pedia Think about the oils in your kitchen: While the olive oil in the cupboard is easy to pour, the lard and vegetable shortening have a paste-like consistency. Biofuels are compatible with current engine designs and work very well in most conditions. Additionally, biofuel production can also lead to changes in land use patterns, which can displace local communities and increase the cost of land. If biofuels are obtained from sustainable farming of reclaimed lands, their production may be much less polluting in terms of not degrading land or freshwater resources compared to fossil fuels. (Nov. 16, 2010)http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/31/business/worldbusiness/31biofuel.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1290625375-G4EOxMpw99oBdvPcW6DvCw, Tsuneishi, Scott. The use of biofuels can therefore help to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to a more sustainable energy system. Monoculture refers to the production of one concentrated crop rather than the rotating of different crops through a farmers field over time. First, there's the issue of yield. Biofuels are less suitable for application in low temperatures. Create your free account or Sign in to continue. According to studies, the levels of carbon dioxide emissions and particulate matter are reduced with biofuels, however, the nitrogen oxides are slightly higher than at fossil fuels [1]. Disadvantages of Biofuels Production of biofuels can be quite inefficient Large amounts of raw materials have to be used Significant greenhouse gas emissions in the production chain Use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides High initial investments required Increase in global food prices Global hunger and starvation High water demand The sun stores resources into these materials thanks to photosynthesis. One of the key challenges in making the use of biofuels more sustainable over the long term is ensuring that they are sourced from feedstocks that have a low carbon footprint and are not in competition with food production. Restored and gently maintained land will yield enough biomass for biofuel production at lower need for synthetic substances, such as pesticides or fungicides. Water Usage 7. Biofuels are an alternative to fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal). "Preventing Pollution Problems from Lawn and Garden Fertilizers." True, a plant-based fuel comes from a renewable source, while fossil fuels will eventually run out. Aug. 11, 2006. This way biofuels also decrease our dependence on foreign oil, which helps to reduce our trade deficit and improve energy security on a country level. 6 May 2015. This difference affects the viability of the oil as fuel. However, the cost of biofuel production has been decreasing in recent years due to advancements in technology and economies of scale. Though ethanol and other biofuels are often promoted as clean, low-cost alternatives to gasoline, industrial corn and soy farming still have a harmful impact on the environment, just in a. According to some estimates, expansion by Indonesian palm oil plantations caused the vast majority of that nation's deforestation in the late '80s and '90s. 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. For example, the process of growing corn to produce ethanol consumes fossil fuels in farming equipment, in fertilizer manufacturing, in corn transportation, and in ethanol distillation. Perhaps the simplest drawback of biofuels is that it is not petroleum-based fuel so that they will work differently in engines developed for petroleum-based fuel. For example, it is estimated that growing one hectare of corn for biofuels takes between 3,000 and 5,000 cubic meters of water per year. The unique nature of a monoculture crop raises the risk of a complete loss for the farmer; if a severe strain of corn blight hits an ethanol-producing corn farm, there will be significant damage. And trash-based biofuels need not compete on cost with fuels, as long as they offer a lower cost than their other competitorlandfills. The biomass pretreatment is one of the keys to the best use of organic waste and thus enhance the production of a biogas plant. "Once a Dream Fuel, Palm Oil May Be an Eco-Nightmare." March 2005. Biofuels are made from various sources, including manure, crop waste, algae, other byproducts, and plants grown specifically for fuel. Biofuels costs are affected by these fluctuations, so when the price of fossil fuels is high, biofuels can be more cost-competitive. In other words, not all biofuel crops are created equal. 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]. Biofuels require agricultural land which is already limited. Long-time monoculture farms must use much more fertilizer than sustainable peers, and this increases water pollution. Similar to petroleum fuels, biofuels are flammable (especially ethanol) and must be transported carefully. To learn more about biofuels, click to the next page. What are the disadvantages in using Garbage Collection? "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. Biofuels - Disadvantages of Biofuels The Indonesian palm oil problem is really a combination of biofuel's drawbacks. (Jan. 14, 2011)http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/ID/ID-346-W.pdf, Altieri, Miguel A. For example, bioethanol and biodiesel have a higher tendency to absorb moisture than fossil fuels, which can cause corrosion in fuel systems and engines. While the first is a bit beyond the control of biofuel producers, the second is at the core of a potentially serious drawback of plant-based fuels: The water demands of some biofuel-producing crops could put unsustainable pressure on local water resources if not managed wisely. There are some complicating aspects about disadvantages of biofuels that we should look at. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. Disadvantages of Biofuels One disadvantage of biofuels is that not all biofuels can be created equally. biofuel, any fuel that is derived from biomassthat is, plant or algae material or animal waste. Hydrogenating, or treating the oil with hydrogen, can mitigate this problem, but increased processing means increased cost [source: Journey to Forever]. 6. 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. However, ready access to food imports, and the ease of exporting, hinge on a wide range of political and social factors. Researchers are exploring techniques to genetically engineer less thirsty crops. Drivers of vehicles who use these fuels usually have to install heating units to protect the fuel tank and lines free from gelled fuel or dual-fuel mechanisms flushing the engine with petroleum diesel during start-up and shut-down. Also, alcohol fuels (including ethanol) may corrode or damage some of the metal and rubber fittings utilized in gasoline-based engines. In theory, this sounds like a terrific way to keep up with biofuel crop demand. The main disadvantage to using corn crops for biofuel production is the effect it would have on food crops and prices around the world. But those fertilizers can have harmful effects on the surrounding environment, and expanded biofuel production could mean a major pollution threat to sources of fresh water. As of now, the cost of biofuels in the market is the same as gasoline. 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. Many biofuel crops are applied to produce biodiesel. It leads to biodiversity do to the fact that a large amount of arable land is required to grow these crops and could see some natural habitats destroyed including rainforests 2. Central to the problem is corn's relatively high water requirement. ", David Biello is a contributing editor at Scientific American. If the land used to grow a biofuel feedstock has to be cleared of native vegetation, then ecological damage is done in three ways. 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. (2022 Guideline). 16 Important Pros and Cons of Biofuels to Know - Our Endangered World Disadvantages of Biofuels 1. 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. Additionally, the amount of water used in biofuel production is also affected by the specific farming practices used. But the conversions add time and money to the biofuel equation, something that can be off-putting for potential biofuel users. In order for biofuels to become widely used, researchers are working on developing biofuels that are more similar in properties to fossil fuels. However, most of these crops are also accepted as food products. 10+ Major Pros and Cons of Biodiesel Fuel | Environment Buddy The growth of all of these plants is better when fertilized. Some estimates state that algae and cyanobacteria could yield between 10 and 100 times more fuel per unit area than second-generation biofuels. (Clear Guide) + PDF, How Does A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Work? One alternative involves the use of highly diverse mixtures of species, with the North American tallgrass prairie as a specific example. However, ease of access to food imports and the export depends on a wide variety of political and social factors. 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. Which Are the 4 Generations of Biofuels? - Solar energy MIT Technology Review. There are no new technologies yet to simplify the process and make it accessible and low cost. It can be used in pure form (B100) or can be blended with petro-diesel in the form of B2 (2% biodiesel, 98% petroleum diesel), B5 (5% biodiesel, 95% . However, the high greenhouse emissions, deadly air pollution, instable fossil-based energy prices, and strong growth of global transportation fuel demand have boosted extensive research efforts in developing bioenergy. Engines designed to operate on biofuels produce lower emissions than other diesel engines. While technology eventually will limit these ratios, the ratio of energy input to the output of modern biofuel production is an important disadvantage to its widespread use. Synfuels still remain more expensive to produce than conventional fuels, mostly because more research, development and investment are necessary to make production economically viable. What are the economic drawbacks of using biofuels. : Premium Gasoline Delivers Premium Benefits to Your Car. But the conversions impose additional time and money on the biofuel users. Waste tires based biorefinery for biofuels and value-added materials For this and other reasons, perennials such as switchgrass and miscanthus have gained in popularity as feedstock for biofuels, as they leave much more ground cover after harvest for the prevention of soil loss. Environment. The crops tend to be lesser varieties of the original, say of corn, for . 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. Fuel." Researchers are working to increase biofuel yields from weather-tolerant crops [source: Lau]. 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]. The liquid biofuel in greatest production is ethanol (ethyl alcohol), which is made by fermenting starch or sugar. Concerns have arisen mainly due to the lack of cover left to protect the resulting fallow fields from erosion from wind and rain. When biodiesel is utilized as a combustible fuel, the engine durability increases. For example, if crops grown for biofuels are planted on land that could be used for growing food crops. Omissions? Biodiesel, as the most common biofuel in Europe, is generated from oils or fats using transesterification. But in cases that seem as much science fiction as they are scientific fact, genetically modified crops have accidentally developed unintended -- and sometimes dangerous -- traits. 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]. The first generation biofuels are produced from food crops grown on arable land. Biofuels Advantages and Disadvantages in 2022 | Linquip There is also no need to convert the engine. But that price quickly reaches consumers. How "Green" Is Your Fuel? Creation and Comparison of Automotive Biofuels What is biomass? And while the range of oil-producing crops considered viable for biofuel production is wide enough to fit most growing zones, the most productive crops simply won't grow everywhere. This difference has an effect on the oils' viability as fuel. This is not the selective breeding they have followed for years; genetically modified crops are developed in the laboratory to tolerate herbicides better, fight off pests, and higher yields. You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked. Biofuel can be produced from plants or commercial, agricultural, domestic, or industrial wastes with a biological origin. 1. This may sound contradictory to the advantages of biofuels mentioned earlier in this article. It isn't as effective a fuel as traditional gasoline. Examples include ancient people burning wood and branches to generate fire. Biomass energy comes from organic materials, such as plants, so that is why it receives classification as a renewable source of energy. 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. Most fossil fuels will expire one day. "Food vs. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Biofuels. On the other hand, burning garbage produces air pollution and releases the chemicals and substances in the waste into the air. In theory, this seems to be a great way to keep up with the demand for biofuel crops. One of the main advantages of biofuels is their relatively low cost. 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. Also, these crops can be planted again. Updates? 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). 2015-2023 Greentumble. A number of existing power facilities burn grass, wood, or other kinds of biomass. Anything that is local comes with an extra benefit. and B.P. Biodiesel produces less toxic pollutants and greenhouse gases than petroleum diesel. Diverting that waste to anaerobic digestion would turn a cost into an opportunity, generating revenue from energy production and co-products. However, other biofuel crops, such as switchgrass and miscanthus, are considered to be low-input crops and need less pesticides. This allows the engine to run for longer periods with less maintenance and reduces overall pollution check costs.