Considerable quantities of biofuel can be produced at your home - interested

The first is Biochemical conversion process This process converts the bio material into sugars using either enzymes or chemicals. The sugars are then converted via fermentation into ethyl alcohol, i.e. ethanol.

The other is Thermochemical Conversion process. This one breaks down the lignin-rich materials mass using heat. The next phase upgrades it into fuel using a combination of heat and pressure in the presence of catalysts.

Two examples are biodiesel and alcohol/gasoline blends. Biodiesel is clean burning; and is a splendid alternate to fossil fuels that can be produced from domestic renewable resources. It works well in compression ignition engines with little or no modification. It has no sulfur; free of smelly fumes, biodegradable and nontoxic and its basic simplicity to produce and use make it suitable for DIY’ers.

See the All about biodiesel page.

Ethanol
The most familiar is ethyl alcohol - ethanol. This biofuel is so well known; it’s practically a household word (ethanol page link here). Spark ignition engines operate fairly well on 10 to 15% blends of the stuff; although it can be mixed with gasoline to any percentage.

Actually, ethanol increases the octane rating so that engines burn hotter. When the octane ratio increases, the engine’s thermal efficiency increases.

Exactly what does a higher octane rating accomplish (octane page link here)? Well, without getting into the chemistry, basically it’s rating is a measure of the fuels resistance to detonation; i.e., exploding. The higher number indicates that it’s less apt to detonate, and visa versa.

Ethanol links:
Here's where the stuff comes from - wanna make some?
This page answers some important questions

Ether
Ambitious DIY’er can experiment with DME dimethyl ether as an octane enhancer. Soot-free operation has been noted when blended with biodiesel. It is non-toxic, low sulfur chemical that boasts engine performance. NOx emissions are reduced. GHG emissions are reduced.

Of course everyone knows that H2O is the green house gas that the sun produces as it evaporates water from the oceans surface.

DME is affordable, it’s a environmentally benign chemical that produces high energy efficiency. An efficient fuel burn (combustion) produces more energy and lowers CO2 levels.

Ether links:

Algae
A new generation of biofuel, i.e, biodiesel, is derived from algae (algae page link here). Algae biofuel experts claim that the technology faces an uphill battle before the technology is practicable. Oil production from algae is costy.

To date, growing the stuff requires lots and lots of room. Pressing the stuff to remove large quantities of natural oil can be a lengthy process unless one has access to the right equipment.

Please don’t let high costs discourage Algae R&D, I believe given enough time, scaled down growing and processing will avail new efficient cost effective methods. However, the current cost of algae production will remain high.

Algae Gas links:

Woodgas is another but lesser known biofuel.
Ordinary scrap wood scrap; cut offs, trimmings, chips, etc, can be converted into various forms of useable energy. Many people make wood gas, ethanol, and even electricity in dendro power plants. The conversion process uses the principal of pryolysis to produce the end product.

Basically, pyrolysis is a thermochemical decomposition gasification process. Actually, woodgas production is as old as the hills. Making quality charcoal for use in home Foundry Furnaces can be had.

Organic material is placed in an oxygen free high temperature environment. As the material is heated in the processor, a combustible synthesis gas (syngas) is produced. The gas is removed for immediate use in gensets and vehicles.

Complete combustion must precede the production of the gas. This requires that several ideal conditions be in place: e.g., time, temperature, air-turbulence, and maintenance of the proper fuel/air ratio.

The left over ash residue is prevented from being discharged into the atmosphere. This can be done separately or by achieving 100% oxidation.

Anyone familiar with refractory in foundry furnace construction won’t have any trouble with a DIY gasification reactor. There are three types: 1. Updraft or Counter-current gasifier; 2. Downdraft or co-current gasifier; 3. Cross draft gasifier

Woodgas links:(home woodgas page link here). http://www.woodgas.net/ good link to an easy to understand site.http://www.allpowerlabs.org/gasification/index.html kits and DIY stuff.

The list of Biofuels below reads like the index in a chemistry primer.

1. A still - sure you can brew up some ethyl alcohol
2. Algae (link to page)
3. Bioether (link to page)
4. Check out biodiesel-n-make some
5. The ethanol page answers some nagging questions plus some surprises
6. Take a look at hydrogen, it's going places
7. Mathane (link to page)
8. All about methanol
9. WoodGas

Methane is last - but not least.
Efficient collection, transportation, processing, and recycling of the refuse brought about by human activity is considered beneficial waste management. However another category should be added after processing – how the stuff is utilized.

All in all, biofuel is an excellent substitute for much of what petroleum is currently used for. Zillions of cubic feet of biogas along with zillions of gallons of fuel - pure energy is there for the taking.

Even with poor vision, an enterprising entrepreneur with half a brain will be able to see the possibilities for new energy technologies in this field. For example, methane can be used in every single application natural gas is used for – every one. That’s let alone fuel cells and vehicular use.

And even though the overall conversion efficiency is lower than fossil fuel, with smart practical application conversion design, efficiencies can come very close – 65 to 85%. Multi-staged absorption internal combustion power generation systems can replace slurry fired coal systems.

Light and heavy duty vehicles are adaptive to compressed natural gas power. This means diesel and gasoline fuels can be replaced with as efficient alternative fuels. Land fill and biological treatment facilities provide huge quantities of energy for power generation.

On a smaller scale, biofuel can be produced at home in ways yet to be envisioned. Here’s where enterprising entrepreneurs have the whole playing field to themselves. With the field wide open, waste management has unlimited opportunities for an implemented number of new technology and programs.

Links:
Make your own fuel

Biofuel is great stuff huh! Thanks for stopping by.

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