Currently, the vast majority of energies that are used come primarily from fossil fuels, a very polluting and non -renewable source of energy. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate other less polluting and renewable sources of energy. However, these sources also have their disadvantages.
In this green ecology article we will focus on analyzing one of these sources: biodiesel. Keep reading and we will review what is the Biodiesel, advantages and disadvantages.
What is biodiesel and what is its origin
It was in the 1890s when the biodiesel begins to be popularly known, with the Invention of the diesel engine by the German engineer Rudolf Diesel. The diesel engine had a series of advantages against gasoline, one of which was its ability to function with a wide variety of sources, such as vegetable oil. In 1900 And during the Paris exhibition, a diesel engine that used peanut oil.
This fuel was later called biodiesel and is produced by a transcessterification process. This process stimulates chemical reactions in vegetable oil (of culture specially developed for this purpose or commercial waste) and turns it into fuel for these diesel engines. Other raw materials are palm oil, sunflower, canola, soybeans or even animal fats. Although, due to its high production costs, most of this f fuelE produces from residual vegetable oil from restaurants, food manufacture or fast food establishments. Today, developing crops for use as fuels is an industry with great potential, but the high cost of the transcessterification process is the main inconvenience.
In recent years, the use of biodiesel has grown a lot, increasing about 25 million biofuel gallons in early 2000 to more than 2.8 billion in 2016. According to projections in the availability of raw material, the industry has marked as a objective to produce up to 10 % of the diesel transport market in 2022.
What is biodiesel for
The biodiesel has many possible uses, then we will explain what are the main uses of the biodiesel:
Transport
Biodiesel represents a Cleast alternative to oil use As fuel, currently majority. Other alternatives such as solar or wind energy are not practical to be used in transport.
Energy source
Biodiesel cells have applications in the Energy production like electric. This electricity can be used in facilities such as schools, residential areas or hospitals.
According to scientists from the University of San Luis, it is possible to develop a fuel stack using kitchen and sugar oil to produce electricity, which can be used to load from computers to mobile phones.
Heat source
From the biodiesel it can also occur natural gas to heat The house. Unlike using wood to heat the home, biodiesel can reduce nitrogen emissions and sulfur dioxide.
Clean oil and fat spills
Biodiesel works like Cleaning agent in areas where there is contamination of water by oil. It can also be used as an industrial solvent.
Replace fossil fuels
Fossil fuels are the predominant energy sources in today’s world, but they are running out. The development of the biodiesel would allow replacing these fuels with renewable sources.
What are the advantages of biodiesel
In the next section we explain what are the main advantages of biodiesel:
- Biofuels such as biodiesel are a renewable energy sourcesince crops from those that occur can be cultivated again.
- In addition, biodiesel and biofuels are neutral in their carbon emissionssince the carbon produced in their combustions is compensated with the carbon absorbed by the crops that produce them.
- Another advantage is that biodiesel is a source of energy that does not depend on imports foreigners and global markets.
- Biodiesel can be used In the current diesel engines without carrying out significant mechanical modifications.
- They are also fuels cleaner and more efficient that fossil fuels, since less hazardous waste is generated during their manufacture.
Disadvantages of biodiesel
One of the disadvantages of biodiesel is that the land used for these crops reduces the amount of land available For food cultivation. This fact represents a great concern in developing countries, where food must be produced to feed a growing population. In addition, these crops They need large amounts of water and fertilizerswhich could be used in food production.
Another concern is the effect of monocultures in balanced rural ecosystems. Large monoculture extensions can have a detrimental effect on local flora and fauna.
If you want to read more articles similar to What is biodiesel, advantages and disadvantageswe recommend that you enter our category of renewable energy.
