Energy

Biofuel production

The word biofuel may refer to the fuels used for the production of electric energy, but in general it refers to liquid fuels used for means of transport. The most common fuels are undoubtedly bioethanol synthetized from carbohydrates and biodiesel (ester) obtained from fats and oils. Although ethanol obtained from starch and sugars, it offers a good contribution from the energy and environment point of view. Later we will examine ethanol produced from cellulose biomass like herbaceous and wooden plants, agricultural and forest residues and large quantities of urban and industrial waste. In fact, while starch and sugars represent a modest quantity of plant material, cellulose and hemicellulose, which are polymers of sugar molecules, represent most of the biomass. The benefits connected to biofuels derive from the fact that they have a more limited environmental impact than oil derivatives and use waste materials that are usually not employed. Finally, other two biofuels will be analysed, that is methanol and corrected petrol compounds.