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Understand what biofuels are and the differences between existing types and processes

Biofuels are fuels produced from plant material that has not undergone a fossilization process. A biofuel can be used in internal combustion engines or for power generation, so it can completely or partially replace the use of fossil fuels. There are several types of biofuels as they can be produced from a range of different plant species. Let's look at some of the more common ones:

Ethanol

Ethanol is a type of alcohol produced from agricultural plant species such as sugarcane, sugar beet and corn. It is a biofuel normally blended with other fuels, such as gasoline, to be used in the internal combustion of engines.

Biodiesel

It is a biofuel made from seed and grain oil, such as rapeseed, sunflower and soy oil. Biodiesel can also be produced from animal and vegetable fat and from microalgae.

Biogas

Biogas is a product of the decomposition of organic matter in an environment without gaseous oxygen, carried out by anaerobic bacteria.

biomass

It is organic matter, of plant or animal origin, used for energy production. The category of organic matter of vegetable origin, which can be called biomass, includes firewood taken from forest areas and agricultural crop residues, such as sugarcane bagasse.

Biomethanol

It is methanol produced from biomass.

The two types of biofuel most produced in Brazil are ethanol extracted from sugar cane - to be used in the internal combustion of light vehicle engines - and biodiesel produced from vegetable oils or animal fats, used in motors. buses and trucks. Biofuels can be initially divided into first and second generation. The procedures developed in the second generation are what allow technological advances to be made and the expansion of the third and fourth generations, which still face many economic and technological obstacles to become viable. Let's understand what the production of biofuels means in each of these processes:

First generation

These are biofuels made from plant species produced by agriculture, such as sugar cane, corn, rapeseed, sugar beet, and wheat. The inherent issue with first-generation biofuels is that they compete with food production, which in the future could undermine issues related to food security and food sovereignty. This category includes ethanol, biodiesel, bio-alcohol and biogas.

Second generation

It consists mainly of cellulosic ethanol. The production of second-generation biofuel takes place through cellulose and other vegetable fibers found in wood, and in inedible parts of vegetables. These fibers are converted into fuel through biochemical or thermochemical procedures. New technologies have been developed in order to increase the range of possibilities for raw materials, making the exploitation of grass species, agricultural and industrial residues viable.

Third generation

A third-generation biofuel is produced from fast-growing plant species, mainly microalgae. New technologies have been improved in order to genetically modify plant species, with the aim of facilitating the process of converting the material into biofuel via second-generation technology. Some examples are eucalyptus trees with reduced concentrations of lignin (a component of the plant cell wall that gives the plant rigidity), which facilitates an easier conversion into cellulosic ethanol; and transgenic corns containing enzymes that favor the conversion into biofuel.

fourth generation

It consists of the genetic modification of trees, so that they, in addition to providing high quality biomass for being rich in carbon, work as efficient machines in capturing carbon dioxide present in the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide present in the biomass would be captured before, during or after the bioconversion process, and then stored in depleted oil and gas fields, non-mineable coal seams or saline aquifers, thus being geo-stored and being removed from the atmosphere. The biofuel conversion process is carried out using a second generation technology.

There are, of course, many controversial issues when it comes to genetic change in plants, as they could bring unforeseen externalities. Anyway, in all fields, the technology for the production of biofuels has been developed.