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]. 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? What are the economic drawbacks of using biofuels. To put it another way, think about a field of corn being grown for ethanol. While technology may eventually narrow those ratios, the input-output energy ratio of modern biofuel production is a major drawback to its widespread use. The heat, in turn, can be used to run generators in a power plant to produce electricity. "The business of ethanol is a very substantial market opportunity," Chornet says. Required fields are marked *. Utilization of Fertilizers 4. Its application in transport industry would cut a big part of the air pollution originating from this growing industry [2]. The use of algae and cyanobacteria as a source of third-generation biodiesel holds promise but has been difficult to develop economically. A number of existing power facilities burn grass, wood, or other kinds of biomass. March 2005. This means that more biofuel is required to produce the same amount of energy as a smaller amount of fossil fuel. . As the demand for biofuels increases, it is also possible that they will become cheaper in the future. #1 Land use changes and land grabbing There are no new technologies yet to simplify the process and make it accessible and low cost. Temperate zone plant biomass per hectare could be as high as 20 t. Switchgrass have reported yields up to 30 t ha 1. Biofuels may emit lower carbon footprints but the process involved in the production of these fuels largely depends on oil and water. Biofuels are a renewable resource, so they can be replenished over time. 2. Continue reading with a Scientific American subscription. (Dec. 13, 2010)http://www.ers.usda.gov/Data/BiotechCrops/, Special Offer on Antivirus Software From HowStuffWorks and TotalAV Security. "The Ripple Effect: Biofuels, Food Security and the Environment." Disadvantages of Biomass Energy This is an ethanol refinery. 2009. References: Ann, Ngee. Consequently, it makes sense to look for an unsaturated oil as a biofuel source. They produce industrial pollution. Given the expense of converting this mix of dirt and heavy oils to more usable petroleum products, the province is not keen on alternative fuels. 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. Lets explore the pros and cons of biofuels in order to better understand their future potential as our energy source. Its also worth noting that the cost of fossil fuels fluctuates greatly depending on the market and political situation. The best road tax-exempt cars to buyFor now, biofuel is . 6. Soil, groundwater and air pollution. Biofuels are a more. Biofuel production boosts the demand for suitable biofuel products and strengthens the agriculture industry. Moisture is more likely to be absorbed by biofuels than fossil diesel, which causes problems in cold weather. This makes it something close to a self-sustaining system. 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. Studies show that the machinery needed to cultivate the crops emits large carbon emissions. Typically, garbage collection has certain disadvantages: Garbage collection consumes computing resources in deciding what memory is to be freed, reconstructing facts that may have been known to the programmer. Long-time monoculture farms have to use much more artificial fertilizer than their more sustainable peers, increasing water pollution. The oil in their grains is pressed out, filtered, and reformed to fuel by a chemical process. The amount of water used to grow biofuels varies depending on the type of biofuel, the location, and the farming practices used. Most biofuels are formed from plant matter. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Biofuels are derived from the decomposition of biological or organic waste. Carbon monoxide emissions are lower than that . Biofuels refer to fuels made from plant materials. The fourth generation of biofuels includes electro fuels and solar fuels. Many critics express concerns about the scope of the expansion of certain biofuels because of the economic and environmental costs associated with the refining process and the potential removal of vast areas of arable land from food production. You can substitute it for corn ethanol if produced at a lower cost. As crude oil prices rise, we need several other alternative energy solutions to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The rise in demand for food-biofuel crops can have a positive effect for crop producers, in the form of higher prices for their produce. An unfortunate disadvantage of biogas today is that the systems used in the production of biogas are not efficient. While the range of oil-producing products examined viable for biofuel is wide enough to grow in most zones, high-yield crops do not grow everywhere. Disadvantages of Biofuels 1. Overall, the reliability of biofuels as an energy source will depend on the specific circumstances of their production and use. Some of the disadvantages of biofuels apply mainly to low-diversity biofuel sourcescorn, soybeans, sugarcane, oil palmswhich are traditional agricultural crops. 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. However, some biofuel crops, such as corn and sugarcane, are considered to be water-intensive and their production requires large amounts of irrigation. The production of biofuels can in some cases compete with food production in several ways. Biogas reduces Soil and water pollution. With the removal of impurities from biogas, biomethane is produced. The widespread use of biofuels in daily operations requires different storage and handling equipment, engine modifications, and adapted fuel delivery systems. 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. 6 May 2015. Because of the higher gel point of many biodiesel producing oils than petroleum, it is difficult, if not impossible, to start a biodiesel engine in cold weather. It increases costs as well as the emissions produced in production and transport. Follow David Biello on Twitter. This is a problem biofuel crops share with food crops, gardens and lawns worldwide. 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. In theory, this seems to be a great way to keep up with the demand for biofuel crops. An example of such practice could be plantation of diverse prairie grass mixtures. Disadvantages 1. At the same time, biofuels generally have a lower energy density per unit of mass than fossil fuels such as gasoline or diesel. Bioenergy can reduce the waste problem. After all, a better harvest will lower prices and ensure there is enough corn or soybeans on hand to feed and provide the fuel to the world. Overuse or inappropriate application can leave excess fertilizer in the soil, which then washes through regional watersheds and into streams, rivers, lakes and underground aquifers. Corrections? Many biofuel crops are used to make biodiesel. In theory, this sounds like a terrific way to keep up with biofuel crop demand. But while different crops can be converted to biodiesel through the same process, the resulting fuel can be very different in its ability to produce energy. . However, fuel ethanol contains denaturants to make fuel ethanol undrinkable. 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]. The production, distribution, and use of biofuels can create jobs in a variety of sectors that will support the production and use of this sustainable alternative. The first way damage is caused is by destroying local habitat. Producers that focus on a single cash crop each year face an increased risk of pest development, water pollution, and catastrophic failure. Potential drawbacks include changes to land use patterns that may increase GHG emissions, pressure on water resources, air and water pollution, and increased food costs. Therefore, the use of biofuels is less of a drain on the wallet. The main disadvantage to using corn crops for biofuel production is the effect it would have on food crops and prices around the world. Read more about us. 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. One way is through direct competition for land, water, and other resources. Source: New York Times, June 2, 2017. The sun stores resources into these materials thanks to photosynthesis. Numerous unsaturated oils have undesirable burn properties. So, it could be a threat to food security or access to adequate nutritious food for the population. However, the cost of biofuel production has been decreasing in recent years due to advancements in technology and economies of scale. However, most of the time, the word biomass simply signifies the biological raw material from which the fuel is made, or some kind of thermally-chemically changed solid end product, like torrefied pellets or briquettes. Land Use Modifications 9. Discover world-changing science. Biodiesel is a renewable and clean-burning fuel that is made from waste vegetable oils, animal fats, or recycled restaurant grease for use in diesel vehicles. 2010. Agricultural and Food Policy Center, Texas A&M University. The pure form (B100) can be employed as a fuel for vehicles but is commonly used as a diesel additive to reduce particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons in diesel vehicles. During initial tests of a modified strain of corn, researchers discovered that the crop, which had been engineered to fight off a moth known to prey on corn, produced pollen that could possibly 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. 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. 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. This fuel is made from the decomposition of organic matter. The production cost per liter of ethanol is still high compared . See also carbon sequestration. Biofuel can be produced from plants or commercial, agricultural, domestic, or industrial wastes with a biological origin. 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]. (Clear Guide) + PDF, How Does A Hydrogen Fuel Cell Work? 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. and environmental chaos ensued. Moreover, the crops that are grown to produce biomass absorb carbon dioxide which helps clean the air. However, most of these crops are also accepted as food products. Most fossil fuels will expire one day. But genetically modified crops have accidentally created unwanted and sometimes threatening traits like what happened during primary tests of a modified strain of corn. It may cause food scarcity because of the lucrative prices of bioethanol some farmers may sacrifice food crops for Biofuel production 3. In addition, energy crops grown for biofuel can compete for the worlds natural habitats. Even if plant waste can be used as raw material, the demand for these products will still exist. It also prevents crop rotation and in turn prevents the soil from recovery from nutritional depletion. Union of Concerned Scientists. Whereas oil is a finite resource and comes from unique materials, biofuels can be produced from a broad variety of ingredients, including crop waste, manure, and other by-products. The first generation biofuels are produced from food crops grown on arable land. List of Cons of Biofuels 1. One alternative involves the use of highly diverse mixtures of species, with the North American tallgrass prairie as a specific example. Your email address will not be published. And alcohol fuels (including ethanol) can corrode or damage some of the metal and rubber fittings used in gasoline-powered engines. Biodiesel is a non-toxic fuel producing lower emissions as compared to fossil fuels when burnt. Let us now have a look at the disadvantages also. Just consider: biodiesel is a biodegradable fuel that releases less emissions when burned. Air quality sensing of particulate matter shows that levels of this damaging pollutant are high around such sites. If the land used to grow a biofuel feedstock has to be cleared of native vegetation, then ecological damage is done in three ways. Disadvantages of Biofuels One disadvantage of biofuels is that not all biofuels can be created equally. Biofuel is commonly advocated as a cost-effective and environmentally benign alternative to petroleum and other fossil fuels, particularly within the context of rising petroleum prices and increased concern over the contributions made by fossil fuels to global warming.
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