Biofuels from Agricultural Biomass

Abstract

Biofuels are liquid fuels which can be produced from agricultural biomass. Agriculture-based biofuels include bioethanol, biodiesel, biomethanol, methane, and bio-oil components. Various agricultural residues, such as grain dust, crop residues, and fruit tree residues, are available as the sources of agricultural energy. Bio-energy from biomass, both residues and energy crops, can be converted into modern energy carriers. Bioethanol is derived from renewable sources feedstock, which are typically plants such as wheat, sugar beet, corn, straw, and wood. Biodiesel is a non-fossil fuel alternative to petrodiesel which can be obtained from vegetable oil and animal fats by transesterification. Bio-oils are liquid or gaseous fuels made from biomass materials, such as agricultural crops, municipal wastes, and agricultural and forestry by-products via biochemical or thermochemical processes.

Keywords:

• biodiesel
• bioethanol
• biogas
• biomethanol
• bio-oil