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Alternatives to Fossil Fuels (Biofuels (Ethanol (Said to be carbon neutral…
Alternatives to Fossil Fuels
Biofuels
Ethanol
made by fermentation of carbohydrate crops
it is too volatile for cars to run on ethanol alone
mixture of petrol containing 15% Ethanol are used
Said to be carbon neutral
carbon dioxide produced in fermentation matches that absorbed in the growth of the plant
but carbon dioxide is released in the purification and transportation of the ethanol fuels
the crops could be used for food instead
Biodiesel
made by reacting fats and oils with an alcohol
trans-esterification
Advantages of Diesel
made from waste oil rather than fossil fuel
it is carbon neutral
some diesel vehicles can run on pure biodiesel
it is biodegradable if spilled
it contains virtually no sulphur
it produces less particulates
it produces more nitrogen oxides than conventional fossil fuels
Hydrogen
Advantages
it is renewable and can be made by electrolysis of water
it can be stored and sent down pipelines (which already exist)
it can be used in an internal combustion engine or in a fuel cell to generate electricity
it produces no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons when burnt
Disadvantages
depends on the use of electricity from fossil fuel power stations
it is less energy dense than petrol
oxides of nitrogen are still produed