Bacon Academy Science & Alternative Energy BioFuels Bacon Academy Science & Alternative Energy

Key Vocabulary Words Fermenting: The process of changing carbohydrates into alcohol Carbohydrates: Simple sugars Blending: The combination of 2 or more liquids.

What Are BioFuels? BioFuels are any type of biomass that is converted into a liquid form.

What is used to make BioFuels? Corn Sugar Cane Old fryer grease

What Are BioFuels Used For? Heating Transportation

Popular Types of BioFuels Ethanol: When carbohydrates in plant matter are fermented (much like brewing beer) into an “alcohol-like” liquid. BioDiesel: The mixing of alcohol with animal fats or vegetable oil

Stand- Alone Fuel Source? Both ethanol and BioDiesel are often not stand alone fuels. Both are blended with other traditional fossil fuels Ethanol is typically blended with gasoline Biodiesel is often blended with diesel

Blending Identification B20 is 20% BioDiesel and 80% traditional diesel fuel E85 would be 85% ethanol and 15% traditional gasoline

So What’s the Point of BioFuels If We Still Rely on Traditional Fuels? Blending lessens the amount of traditional fuel (gasoline and diesel) use. Often biofuels are derived from recycled matter like wood chips, grass clippings or old fryer grease.

Fuel vs Food Debate Crops like corn and sugar are grown for food. Farms are selling traditional food to energy companies because they can sell their crops at a higher price. These foods are being turned into fuels. Is it fair to grow foods for fuel when food prices are high and there are many populations in the world suffering from starvation?