Background

Biofuels are an alternative to fossil fuels, which are currently being depleted. The usage of fossil fuels also contributes to the greenhouse effect which causes global warming. Biofuel is one of the ways to reduce carbon emissions and provide a source of clean-burning fuel for usage. However, since the biofuel technology is relatively new, it is not prevalent in many countries. However, some countries have started introducing the biofuel as it does not require the depletion of the planet’s natural resources, unlike other alternative fuel sources.

Sugar cane can be made into biofuels, clean-burning and less polluting fuels compared to fossil fuels(right). Photo courtesy of Enoch Lau

Introduction

However, being relatively new, biofuels are more expensive and difficult to produce. Even in Singapore, where the technology is new and not commercially available yet, a two-year pilot scheme involving 13 cars running on biodiesel is underway. If it proves to be as clean-burning and efficient as claimed at the end of the project in December, biofuels may become a part of our daily lives. For example, in Singapore, a $20 million biodiesel producing facility has been built.
This facility will help satisfy the growing global consumptions of biofuels.

As they are mainly made up of organic compounds, biofuels are biodegradable and produces only about 40% of the carbon dioxide throughout its life-cycle compared to petrol, making it much cleaner-burning. Biofuels are produced from food crops such as sugar cane, corn, soyabean and canola.

Used cooking oil can be converted into biodiesel for use in car engines(left)

There are many advantages in using biofuel compared to other common fuels. One example would be that biodiesel has a flash point a relatively higher than diesel. This means that biodiesel is less hazardous to transport. Also, biodiesel emissions produce less carcinogenic compounds, thus is safer to use on the whole. The exhaust odor produced by combusting biodiesel is also pleasant, reminiscent of fried chicken, not the usual odor associated with petroleum diesel. It also does not produce sulphur, hence does not contribute to acid rain.

Cars can run on biodiesel, but some modifications need to be made to the engine(right). Photo courtesy of Uris

With the introduction of 10% ethanol into normal engines, the amount of greenhouse gases is dramatically reduced. It is also biodegradable, being made out of organic compounds. However, modifications to engines would have to be made in order for them to be able to use biodiesel.

Analysis

Biofuels are environmentally friendly and is a renewable source of fuel. Its advantages include being clean-burning, made out of crops already used for food, therefore it is easily produced, cheap to produce, having reduced amounts of emissions as compared to fossil fuels and can be made out of waste oil. However, it also has its disadvantages. The fact that it is made from food crops means that producers have to compete with the food industry for the crop yield, thereby causing a rise in the prices of these crops and indirectly causing famine among poorer people and countries. Also, many car models are as of now incompatible with biofuels, limiting the effectiveness of this as a fuel source. We think that this is one of the major problems that biofuels face now.