BIO 141 1st Edition Lecture 12 Outline of Last Lecture II. AlbedoIII. MethaneIV. Fossil FuelsV. BiofuelsOutline of Current Lecture VI. BiofuelsVII. Rudolf DieselVIII. Plant sourcesIX. Advantages/Disadvantages Current LectureBiofuels/Biomass – Using Plants as Fuel- Direct approach: burn cellulose- Excel Energy’s Ashland, Wisconsin- Plant burns wood chips- They burn a lot of wood up thereSwitch Grass- Research into burning prairie grasses with coal or alone- Problem with handlingPelletizing Biomass- Rather simple technology- Can turn many waste products into fuel- Some can also burn corn, olive pits, cherry pits, etc.Rudolf Diesel- Invented the diesel engine- A Bavarian, born 1858, disappeared in 1913- Internal combustion engines- Big fan of biodiesel fuelThese notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.Biodiesel Today- Vegetable oil or animal fat- Usually the oil is converted with alcoholo Runs in conventional engines- Vegetable oil can power converted engines- Converted systems can be hard on systems, and with all the filters and stuff can be expensiveRuns a VW on used Restaurant Fry Oil- Has a home biodiesel converter in his garage- Glycerine is a by-product he gives to a candle maker- Even frying oil from McDonald’s is considered biodieselDiesel from Algae- Safer fuel, easier to handle- More oxygen in the fuel, burns cleanerBiodiesel Leaders- Germany, France, USA, Italy, Czech Republic, AustriaPlant Sources- Anything that produces oil- Palm, corn, canola (rape seed), peanut, soy, hemp, olive.. a long list- A crop for every climateDownside- Competition between engines and stomachs for crops- Engine parts, especially filterEthanol- Fermentation of sugar to make alcohol- Ethanol from corn is yet to prove itself, although it’s improving- Net energy gain? Maybe- Vehicle performanceEthanol Subsidies- Federal subsidies:o Pay gasoline companies to blendo Limit imports of ethanolo Together, costs about $6 billion a
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