BIOFUELS

The most common biofuel in Brazil is ethanol derived from sugar cane. Its main advantage is less pollution compared to petroleum fuels.

The cane is a product that produces sugar, ethanol and bagasse, which generates steam power. However, it has several disadvantages, such as the fact that it does not solve the problem of oil dependence and that it requires large areas of agricultural monoculture that leads to severe climatic and soil problems, with rising temperatures and soil erodibility.
The biofuel, i.e. crude oil derived from some plant species, such as castor beans, has very interesting advantages, like the real possibility of replacing almost all petroleum products without modification to the engines, eliminating dependence on oil. Besides being naturally cleaner, biodiesel reduces emissions of petroleum, has a high ability to lubricate the engine or engines, it is safe to store and transport because it is biodegradable, non-toxic and non flammable nor explosive at room temperature, does not contribute to acid rain because it does not contain sulfur in its composition, does not require large investments in power plants or transmission lines, to meet local energy in regions with low demand.
We still have the bio-oil that is the main product of fast pyrolysis of biomass, which is biofuel produced from waste. Directly used as fuel in stationary systems for power generation, and asphalt emulsion to burn, the replacement of petrochemical phenol or may be fractionated to produce fine chemicals derived from, among other applications.



Fonte: http://www.dupontelastomers.com/autofocus/a4/biofuels.html