Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 2
Bio-fuels: A Blessing in Disguise
O. Surriya, Syeda Sarah Saleem, K. Waqar, A. Gul Kazi and M. Öztürk
Abstract
Biofuels are part of the bio energy family that can be transformed into
fuels for both mobile as well as stationary incentives. Bio-fuels obtained from vari-
ous forms of bio-mass are considered environmentally safe and economically effi-
cient candidates for complete replacement of natural oil in the twenty-first century.
Depending on their future accessibility, geologists categorize bio-fuels into three
generations, namely; first, second and third. According to research analysts, energy
demand will increase with alarming celerity until late 2020-2030, up to more than
50%. Because of the emerging economies of the developing countries in recent
years, energy consumption will directly enhance the demand for renewable, cost
effective energy generation sources. The depleting life expectancy of natural fossil
fuels in the world market has led research institutes, policy makers and enterprises
to discover alternative means of generating transportation fuel. One such prominent
and promising alternative is “Biofuels” which not only contributes to diminishing
the increasing bubble of global warming but also generates substantial amount of
energy in a less cumbersome manner.
Keywords
Biofuel
·
Biodiesel
·
Bioethanol
·
Biomethanol
·
Biohydrogen
·
Algae
biofuels
1 Introduction
Biofuels refer to combustible materials which are directly or indirectly derived from
biomass. Most common biomass includes wood, agricultural crops, aquatic plants,
forestry products and animal wastes (Keck
2001
; Öztürk et al.
2006
,
2007
,
2010
;
Öztürk
2010
; Abideen et al.
2011
). Biofuels are part of the bio energy family that
can be transformed into fuels for both mobile as well as stationary incentives. These
