Biofuel

Biofuel

A Biofuel is a type of fuel whose energy is derived from biological carbon fixation. Biofuels include fuels derived from biomass conversion, as well as solid biomass, liquid fuels and various biogases.

Industry: Energy

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Biofuel

Biodiesel

Biotechnology; Biofuel

Biofuel (technically, methyl esters) produced from oilseed crops – including soy, canola, palm, and jatropha – that can be used in diesel engines

Biomass

Biotechnology; Biofuel

Biological material – including corn, switchgrass, and oilseed crops – that can be converted into fuel

Biomass to liquid (BTL)

Biotechnology; Biofuel

The process of converting biomass to liquid fuels. Hmm, that seems painfully obvious when you write it out.

Butanol

Biotechnology; Biofuel

Though generally produced from fossil fuels, this four-carbon alcohol can also be produced through bacterial fermentation of alcohol.

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

Biotechnology; Biofuel

A product of combustion that acts as a greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere, trapping heat and contributing to climate change.

Carbon monoxide (CO)

Biotechnology; Biofuel

A lethal gas produced by incomplete combustion of carbon-containing fuels in internal combustion engines. It is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. (As in flavorless, we mean, though it's also been ...

Carbon sink

Biotechnology; Biofuel

A geographical area whose vegetation and/or soil soaks up significant carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Such areas, typically in tropical regions, are increasingly being sacrificed for energy crop ...