Biofuel

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/biofuels/

Abanoub Kaheel and Nathan Eckhoff

https://www.shutterstock.com/search/biofuel

What Is A Biofuel

Biofuel is an example of a renewable energy source.

Examples are ethanol and biodiesel.
We use biofuels for transportation; airplanes, trains, and automobiles.
Most biofuels are as energy dense as coal, and produce less CO2 when

http://www.theecoambassador.com/Biofuel.html

burned.

The lower energy content of biofuels means vehicles travel shorter

distances on the same amount of fuel.

Ethanol

An alcohol that is commonly found in wine and beer

Created by fermenting organic material that has high amounts of
carbohydrates
Main purpose of Ethanol is to cut down on Carbon Monoxide and other
smog causing emissions
Energy content of ethanol is about 50% that of gasoline.

https://www.sindark.com/genre/Ethanol.pdf

https://commons.wikimedia.or
g/wiki/File:Methanol_flat_struc
ture.png

Biodiesel & Methanol

Biodiesel is created by alcohol (commonly methanol) with either

vegetable oil, animal fats, or cooking greases
Can be used as an alternative fuel
Energy content of biodiesel is about 90% that of petroleum diesel.

Methanol is currently made from natural gas, and can be created from
organic material by vaporizing it

http://www.alternative-energy-news.info/technology/biofuels/biodie
sel-fuel/

Algae

Algae oil most closely resembles crude oil

Researchers at the US DOEs Pacific Northwest Lab can create this biofuel
in less than 1 hour
As this oil is created, the byproducts released could be used to create
electricity, as a natural gas, or a natural fertilizer
The research began when oil prices by the barrel skyrocketed to $100 in
2009
Thus the NAABB was formed

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US-DeptOfEnergy-Seal.sv
g

http://www.newswise.com/articles/algae-to-crude-oil
-million-year-natural-process-takes-minutes-in-the-l
ab

Algae

The NAABB is made up of:

Factory Organizations (Genifuel, Pan Pacific)

Laboratories (Los Alamos National Lab, USDAs Agricultural Research Service)
Universities (NC State, Washington State)

Though the govt is trying to cut the cost to $2/gallon, the price is currently
$7/gallon
Capital Costs:

http://www.lanl.gov

All the ponds and paddle wheels will cost $1.90/gallon

All the Harvesting supplies will cost 1.30/gallon
All the Inoculum system pieces (a dispenser system) will cost $0.69/gallon

Sources

Biofuels. (n.d.). Retrieved August 15, 2016, from

http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/bioenergy/tech/biofuels.html
History, Travel, Arts, Science, People, Places | Smithsonian. (n.d.). Retrieved August 15, 2016, from
http://www.smithsonianmag.com/innovation/scientists-turn-algae-into-crude-oil-in-less-than-an-hour180948282/
Where are we with algae biofuels? (n.d.). Retrieved August 15, 2016, from
http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2014/10/13/where-are-we-with-algae-biofuels/