Bio-fuels: The Fuels of the Future

Bio-fuels are fuels formed by the natural decomposition of biological matter. They are mainly plant based and can exist in any state, solid, liquid or gas.

The present generation of fuels that are in use in the modern world are mainly fossil fuels. These fuels like petroleum, coal and natural gas are fuels that have been formed in the earth after millions of years and generate a lot of pollution from the carbon products that are formed on its usage. Bio-fuels on the other hand can be made in a relatively short time of days and generate a lesser amount of pollution products. They are renewable sources of energy as the basic product which makes the bio-fuel can be grown again and again, whereas fossil products cannot be renewed once they are used.

Bio-fuels have been classified into four types which are referred to as first generation, second generation, third generation and fourth generation.

Food crops are the source of the first generation bio-fuels. They are derived from vegetable fats, starch and sugar all of which are byproducts of food crops. Animal fats can also make first generation bio-fuels. Vegetable oil, bio-diesel and bio gas are some of the first generation fuels that are already in use all over the world.

The second generations of bio-fuels are those that are produced from waste products from biological products or unusable materials from certain manufacturing processes and are said to be a more balanced option as they do use material that would otherwise have contributed to the pollution on the planet for problems with their disposal. These waste products are turned into alcohol and diesel which can be used as bio-fuels.

Algae, a natural product which grows in water, can produce bio-fuel of the third generation. These algae can be grown or farmed in water and will therefore not even use up land which the growth of products that form first and second generation bio-fuels requires. The only source of the energy input into its production is the sun. The algae are dried and its oil extracted to form the bio-fuel. These are also extremely eco friendly fuels as all its products and wastes can be easily absorbed into the soil without harming it in any way.

The fourth generation of bio-fuels are those that are formed by micro-organisms reacting with carbon dioxide which is considered a pollutant, to form a fuel that can be used as a bio-fuel.

Bio-fuels lessen the burden on the planet by conserving the limited fossil fuels. They are environment friendly as carbon emissions are reduced and can also be quite cost effective.

There has been an objection to first generation bio-fuels because they use up lands that are needed to grow crops for human consumption. The second, third and fourth generation bio-fuels have not yet been sufficiently developed to have made an impact on the world today. There has been a strong feeling that this lack of development has been hampered by the politics of the oil producing nations that see such fuels as undermining their economies.