Home / Biofuel Basics / Biofuel types

Biofuel types

Ethanol
Biodiesel
Biogas



Ethanol

Ethanol is a liquid alcohol made of oxygen, hydrogen and carbon and is obtained from the fermentation of sugar or converted starch contained in grains and other agricultural or agri-forest feedstocks.

Feedstocks Starches (corn, grains, potatoes), sugars (sugar cane, sugar beet), biomass
Annual production worldwide 65.7 billion liters in 2008.
Leading producers The USA leads the way, having produced 34.2 billion litres in 2008.  Brazil follows closely behind, producing 24.7 billion liters in the same year.  The EU produced approximately 2.7 billion liters in 2008, followed by China which produced 1.9 billion liters.
Uses
 Ethanol is primarily blended with petrol to use as transport fuel.
 

Biodiesel

Biodiesel is a non-toxic, biodegradable fuel. The majority of biodiesel is from oily feedstocks in a process called transesterification, where the oil is reacted with an alcohol (usually methanol) and a catalyst (such as sodium hydroxide).

Feedstocks Vegetable oils (canola, corn, cottonseed, palm, soy, sunflower) animal tallow, recycled greases
Annual production worldwide 3.8 billion litres in 2005
Leading producers In 2006, Germany produced approximately 2 billion litres, followed by France at 557 million litres and the United States at 284 million litres.
Uses Biodiesel is used as a replacement for diesel or in a blend with traditional diesel fuel. It is used primarily as a transport fuel, but can replace diesel in any engine.

Biogas

Biogas consists mostly of a gas called methane, which is the same as "natural gas". Bacteria produce methane as they break down cellulosic material, whether in a swamp or bog, or in an industrial biogas generator, which is an airtight container that allows collection of the biogas for power generation. Another type of biogas is carbon monoxide rich gas made via thermal gasification.

Feedstocks Landfill gas, sewage sludge gas, corn silage, liquid manure, cereals
Annual production worldwide 402,602 TJ (terajoule)
Leading producers The United States produces approximately 160,000 TJ; the UK and China each produce approximately 58,000 TJ, and  produces Germany approximately 42,000 TJ annually.
Uses
 Biogas can be used in motors that can use natural gas. Currently only a very small proportion of the biogas production is used in transport. Most of the biogas is used in the production of electricity and heating.
 
For more information on biofuels, visit the following sites: Sources:
Renewable Fuels Association, Industry Statistics.
F.O. Licht, “Ethanol: World Production, by country,” World Ethanol and Biofuels Report, April 2006; cited in Clive James, “Global Status of Commercialized Biotech/GM Crops: 2006,” ISAAA, Brief 35 (January 2007).
CropLife International regional associations.