Biofuels

A **Biofuel** is a type of fuel whose energy is derived from biological carbon fixation. Biofuels include fuels derived from biomass conversion, as well as solid biomass, liquid fuels and various biogases. Although fossil fuels have their origin in ancient carbon fixation, they are not considered biofuels because they contain carbon that has been "out" of the carbon cycle for a very long time. Biofuels are gaining increased public and scientific attention, driven by factors such as oil price hikes, the need for increased energy security, concern over greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuels, and support from government subsidies. First generation Biofuel's are Bioethanol's and Biodiesel's. Bioethanols are made from fermented alcohols. Biodiesel's are made from vegetable oils and vegetable fats.

Biofuels have been around as long as cars have. At the start of the 20th century, Henry __Ford__ planned to fuel his Model Ts with ethanol, and early diesel engines were shown to run on peanut oil. Much of the gasoline in the United States is blended with a biofuel—ethanol. This is the same stuff as in alcoholic drinks, except that it's made from corn that has been heavily processed. There are various ways of making biofuels, but they generally use chemical reactions, fermentation, and heat to break down the starches, sugars, and other molecules in plants. The leftover products are then refined to produce a fuel that cars can use

The two main biofuels are:
 * In 2010 worldwide biofuel production reached 105 billion liters (28 billion gallons US)
 * The world's largest biodiesel producer is the European Union.
 * Types of Biofuel**
 * Bioethanol is an alcohol made mostly from carbohydrates produced in sugar or starch crops such as corn or sugarcane. Bioethanol is widely used in the USA and __Brazil__.
 * Biodiesel is made from vegetable oils and animal fats. Biodiesel can be used as a fuel for vehicles in its pure __form__, but it is usually used as a disel additive to reduce levels of particulates, carbon monoxide, and hydrocarbons from diesel-powered vehicles.
 * Ethanol
 * Biodiesel (fatty acids)





Biofuel Energy Corporation

Biodiesel's

Most transportation fuels are liquids, because vehicles usually require high energy density, as occurs in liquids and solids. High power density can be provided most inexpensively by an internal combustion engine; these engines require clean burning fuels, to keep the engine clean and minimize air pollution. The fuels that are easiest to burn cleanly are typically liquids and gases. Thus liquids (and gases that can be stored in liquid form) meet the requirements of being both portable and clean burning. Also, liquids and gases can be pumped, which means handling is easily mechanized, and thus less laborious.