Bio Fuel - The Fossil Fuel Alternative?

Primarily derived from plants, bio fuels are fuels that- Fourth generation: are derived by a method in which
are formed when biological matter decomposes.micro-organisms are raised to work with carbon
There are three forms or states of matter that theydioxide to generate fuel.
exist in: solid, liquid, and gas.Pros And Cons
Comparisons between bio fuels and fossil fuelsPros:
- Bios can be made in a matter of days, unlike fossil- They provide us with an alternative to fossil fuel.
fuels which can take a million years to develop.- Environmentally friendly, bio fuels help reduce
- In terms of pollution, bio fuels are comparativelycarbon emissions.
safer.- They can be cost effective for consumers.
- Unlike fossil fuels, bio's are renewable sources ofCons:
energy.- The destruction of natural ecosystems - making bio
The four types of bio fuelfuels require acres of farming land, thus encroaching
- First generation: Derived from vegetable fats,upon the natural habitat of plants and animals. Also,
starch, and sugar, examples of first generation biogenerating fuel from food crops makes crops
fuels would be: Bio-gas, bio-diesel, and vegetable oil.unworthy for human consumption. Some people
First generation fuels are also derived from animalbelieve that food for human consumption should be
fats.of higher priority.
- Second generation: Mostly derived from waste- Making bio fuel requires acres of farming land, thus
biomass, second generation bio fuels are a moreencroaching upon the natural habitat of plants and
balanced option compared to the first generation.animals.
Second generation fuels are made up of various kinds- Bio fuels reduce emissions of carbon monoxide, but,
of alcohols and diesel generated from wood.the pollution produced by the production of bio fuels
- Third generation: Environmentally friendly, thirdreduce the effectiveness.
generation bio fuels are derived from algae. The algaeTimes are changing and so are our needs for finding
is farmed on a large scale specifically for creatingcleaner burning, inexpensive, renewable, alternative
these alternative fuels. Algae derived bio fuel can alsofuel sources. A green planet is a healthy planet.
easily decompose into the soil without harming it.Finding alternative fuel sources are our future.