Boost Our Biodiversity, Use Bio-fuel

Bismillahirahmanirrahim

Assalammualaikum wbt.

Bio-fuel is a fuel that is produced through contemporary biological processes such as agriculture and anaerobic digestion. Bio-fuels can be derived directly from the plants or indirectly from agriculture, commercial, domestic or industrial wastes. Renewable bio-fuels generally involve contemporary carbon fixation such as those occur in plants or micro algae through process of photosynthesis.

ADVANTAGES OF BIO-FUEL

Renewable:

Most of the fossil fuels will expire and end up in smoke soon. Since most of the sources like soy bean, corn, waste from crops and plant are renewable and quite possible to run out any time soon, making the use of bio-fuels efficient in nature. These crops or plants can be replanted again and again.

Lower Levels of Pollution:

Since bio-fuels are renewable energy sources, they cause less pollution to our Earth. Bio-fuels release lower levels of carbon dioxide and other emissions when burnt compared to other fossil fuels like coal or gas.

Reduce Greenhouse Gases:

Fossil fuels produce large amount of greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide in the atmosphere when they were burnt. These greenhouse gases will trap the sunlight and increase the temperature of our Earth and causes global warming. People around the world use bio-fuels to reduce the impact of greenhouse gases. Studies show that bio-fuels reduces greenhouse gases up to 65%

DISADVANTAGES OF BIO-FUEL

Amount of Water Used:

Large quantities of water are required to irrigate the bio-fuel crops and if it not managed wisely, it may effect on local and regional water resources. In order to produce plants based ethanol to meet local demand for bio-fuel; large quantities of water are consumed to put sustainable pressure on local water resources

Shortage of Food:

Bio-fuels are extracted from plants and crops that have high levels of sugar in them. Most of these crops are also used as food crops. Bio-fuel might only need waste material from plants to be used as raw material but they still require food crops which will take up agriculture space from other crops. This will create many problems and will definitely put pressure on the current growth of crops. People worried that the growing use of bio-fuels may just mean a rise in food prices as well

Industrial Pollution: 

The carbon footprint of bio-fuels is less than the traditional forms of fuel when burnt. However, the process with which they are produced makes up for that. Production is largely dependent on lots of water and oil. Large scale industries meant for churning out bio-fuel are known to emit large amounts of emissions and cause small scale water pollution as well. Unless more efficient means of production are put into place, the overall carbon emission does not get a very big dent in it. Bio-fuel might reduce the pollution but it’s still polluting our Earth so it is not as green as we thought.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF BIO-FUEL

Bio-ethanol:

produced from plants such as sugar cane or corn. Bio-ethanol is used as alternative to gasoline, for thermal combustion power generation and as feed stock in the chemical industry.

Bio-fuel:

produced from the fatty acids found in vegetable oils. Bio-fuel is used for railway usage, aircraft use, as heating oil and cleaning oil spills

Bio-gas:

produced from the fermentation of organic matter. Bio-gas is used as cooking fuel, lighting fuel and automobile fuel (for short journeys).

Don't be fuelish! Use bio-fuel.

Feel free to drop your questions in the comment section below. I'll try my best to answer it inshallah. Thanks for visiting this blog. Don't forget to share it okay? Articles will be posted every four days. Stay up-to-date with it. This is the last article for May, see you next time in June! Ciao!

Read More

The Real Truths About Biomass Energy

Bismillahirahmanirrahim

Assalammualaikum wbt.

I would like to wish all Muslims around the world Ramadan Al-Mubarak. May the spirit of Ramadan illuminate the world and show us the way to peace and harmony. Ramadan is not just about fasting. It is also a time for spiritual reflection and devoting ourselves to worship and pray to Allah. Okay, back to our article for today.

Biomass contains stored energy. Plants absorb energy from the sun through the process of photosynthesis. When biomass is burned, the stored energy is released as heat. Burning biomass releases carbon dioxide. However, plants also take carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere and use it to perform the process of photosynthesis. The same carbon dioxide is returned to the air when the plants are burned. Some type of biomass can be converted into liquid fuels called bio-fuels that can power cars. Leftover food products like vegetable oils and animal fats can create bio-diesel while other plants such as corns and sugarcane can be fermented to produce ethanol.

ADVANTAGES OF BIOMASS ENERGY

Biomass is A Renewable Form of Energy :

Biomass energy is considered renewable form energy because the organic materials used to produce it are never-ending. The organic materials including garbage, crop waste, sewage sludge and wood are continually produced by society

Widely Available:

Just like sun and wind energy, biomass energy sources are bountiful in supply. You can find them virtually in every nook and cranny of the world. The fact that it’s bountiful in supply means that we never encounter problems that we are presently experiencing with fossil-based sources of fuel. Nonetheless, it’s vital that we maintain the abundance of this natural resource by being responsible in its use

Reduces Amount of Waste In Landfills:

Most waste produced in homes either plant matter or biodegradable. This kind of waste can be channelled to move profitable use. Biomass energy generation utilizes any waste that would have otherwise found way into landfills. This minimizes the impacts of waste in landfills to the environment. This impact may be compounded by contamination of local habitats and destruction of wildlife ecosystem. Minimize the waste mean reduction of land intended for landfills, hence more space for human habitats

DISADVANTAGES OF BIOMASS ENERGY

Biomass is Not Entirely Clean:

Using animal and human waste to power engines may save on carbon dioxide emissions but it increases methane gases, which are also harmful to the Earth’s ozone layer.

Increases The Risk of Deforestation:

Biomass energy sources are renewable but they have to be utilized sustainably. Uncontrolled biomass production can result deforestation. If deforestation is allowed to happen, scores of animal and bird species would be rendered homeless. In fact, this is the main reason for slowing down the large scale use of biomass fuel. Government feel replanting efforts may not match the rate of cutting down of trees

Inefficient As Compared to Fossil Fuels:

Despite the fact that biomass energy is natural in many ways, it doesn’t get close to fossil fuels in regards to efficiency. In fact, some renewable sources like biofuels are fortified with fossil fuels to increase their efficiency

HOW DOES BIOMASS ENERGY WORKS?

1. Energy from the sun is transferred and stored in plants in the form of chemical energy. When the plants are cut or die, wood chips, straw and other plant matter is delivered to biogas plant
2. When biomass is burnt, it releases energy in the form of heat. If you happen to have a fireplace in your home, then you are already taking part in the utilization of biomass because burning wood is a form of biomass fuel
3. The biomass plants burn wood or other forms of waste generate steam
4. The energy from the steam is directed via pipes to run turbines
5. The steam rises up to run turbines that eventually produce electricity or generate heat for homes and industries

WE USE BIOMASS ENERGY FOR:

• Burning wood, animal waste like sugar can, fruit pits and garbage. Garbage is used in many cities to produce electricity
• Fermentation. Energy is produced by adding yeast to biomass materials like wheat, corn, grapes and other agriculture crops to produce an alcohol called ethanol which can be used in place of gasoline to power cars or mixed with gasoline to produce a fuel called gasohol
• Conversion. Energy is produced by converting biomass into gas and liquid fuels. By adding heat or chemicals to the biomass, a fuel is produced that can be burned to produce electricity
• Natural bacteria feed on dead and decaying plants and animals. As they decay, it produces a gas called methane. Methane is odourless, colourless and very rich in energy. It can be burned to produce electricity and heat

Go green and change waste into energy

Feel free to drop your questions in the comments section below. I'll try my best to answer it inshallah. Thanks for visiting this blog. Don't forget to share it okay? Articles will be posted every four days. Stay up-to-date with it. Ramadan Kareem.

Read More