Changes

'''Biofuels''' are fuels produced from organic material such as soybean or corn oils rather than fossil fuel sources. Animal fats can also be used. The oils from are combined with alcohol and catalyzed to form ethyl or methyl esters. They are sold either neat, as 100% biodiesel, or blended with conventional diesel oil. Other forms of biofuels are biologically produced alcohols and biogases. <ref>http://www.mines.edu/Academic/econbus/ifp/glos-ener.html</ref>  

'''Biofuels''' are fuels produced from organic material rather than fossil fuel sources. This organic material can come from plants such as sugar cain, soybean and corn or from animal products like fat and waste.

 

One prominent biofuel is biodiesel.  Plant oils and/or animal fats are combined with alcohol and catalyzed to form ethyl or methyl esters. They are sold either neat, as 100% biodiesel, or blended with conventional diesel oil. Other forms of biofuels are biologically produced alcohols and biogases. <ref>http://www.mines.edu/Academic/econbus/ifp/glos-ener.html</ref>  

Increases in the price of fossil fuels, combined with fears of a shortage in the future, have spurred research into biofuels as a clean and renewable energy source. The [[US]], [[European]] and other governments have put measures in place encouraging the production of biofuels<ref>http://www.insidegreentech.com/node/803</ref>.

Increases in the price of fossil fuels, combined with fears of a shortage in the future, have spurred research into biofuels as a clean and renewable energy source. The [[US]], [[European]] and other governments have put measures in place encouraging the production of biofuels<ref>http://www.insidegreentech.com/node/803</ref>.

=== Biofuels from Waste ===

=== Biofuels from Waste ===

Bio-fuels may also be manufactured from products which would otherwise be considered waste.  For example used cooking oil is collected by many people who use it to manufacture bio-diesel for their own use.  There are a variety of processes that may be used (called "recipes" among home bio-diesel makers). In undeveloped locations, animal waste is fed into anaerobic composters to produce methane gas for fuel.  While these applications provide benefits both by easing the load on mineral  fuel sources and by re-processing and recycling end products that would otherwise present disposal difficulties, bio-fuels from waste have not been pursued on large scales. <ref>http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html</ref>

Bio-fuels may also be manufactured from products which would otherwise be considered waste.  For example used cooking oil is collected by many people who use it to manufacture bio-diesel for their own use.  There are a variety of processes that may be used (called "recipes" among home bio-diesel makers). In undeveloped locations, animal waste is fed into anaerobic composters to produce methane gas for fuel, usually only on a small, household scale.  Dried dung is also used in undeveloped areas as a replacement for firewood.  While these applications provide benefits both by easing the load on mineral  fuel sources and by re-processing and recycling end products that would otherwise present disposal difficulties, bio-fuels from waste have not been pursued on large scales. <ref>http://journeytoforever.org/biodiesel_make.html</ref>

 

==References==

==References==