Biofuels are alternate (non-petroleum) fuels that are derived from biomass. Biomass includes living biological material and biodegradable waste. Biomass is a renewable fuel and is considered carbon nuetral. The biological matter removes as much carbon dioxide form the atmosphere as given off when burnt, therefore, not adding to the CO2 level in the atmosphere. Two biofuels becoming widespread today include biodiesel and ethanol.
Biodiesel
Biodiesel is a domestically produced, renewable fuel whose primary feedstocks for production include vegetable (mainly soybean) oils, animal fats, and recycled restaurant greases. Biodiesel is simple to use, biodegradable, non-toxic, free of sulfur, and reduces serious air pollutants. The attractive advantage of biodiesel is that little or no vehicle modifications are necessary.
Types of Biodiesel
Currently there are two types of biodiesel blends on the market. Blends of 20% biodiesel with 80% petroleum diesel (B20) can generally be used in unmodified diesel engines. Biodiesel can also be used in its pure form (B100), but it may require certain engine modifications to avoid maintenance and performance problems. Although most US engine warranties cover biodiesel, users should consult their OEM and engine warranty statement before using this fuel.
Benefits - Environmental & Performance
Biodiesel has many environmental benefits. There is no threat to human health according to testing in compliance with the Clean Air Act. Biodiesels have a substantial reduction in unburned hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter. In addition, a US Department of Energy study showed a 78.7% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. Biodiesels have a positive energy balance. For every unit of energy needed to produce one gallon of fuel 3.24 units of energy are gained.
Biodiesel performs similar to petrolueum based diesesl in engine performance and cold weather testing while having superier lubricity. B100 did show lower performance in cold weather and can degrade filters and seals in older vehicle models. Biodiesel fuel has the same six month shelf life as standard diesel.
Relative to Michigan
Presently in the US more than 14 companies have invested in the development of biodiesel manufacturing plants with the current production capacity more than 200 million gallons per year. Since the state of Michigan usses over 1 billion gallons of diesel per year, it is vital that we are leaders in biodiesel production.
Michigan has 4 operating plants located in Bangor, Milan, and Adrian with a total production capacity of 45 milion gallons per year (Mgal/yr). In August 2007 Michigan's largest biodiesel facility, NextDiesel, opened in Adrian. This plant created 25 new jobs and is manufaturing 20 million gallons of fuel a year with the potential for 100 million in the future. At NextDiesel's grand opening Governor Granholm showed her enthusiasm saying "These advancements will power our economic transformation and make Michigan the state that ends our country's dependance on foreign oil."
Currently there are 4 proposed plants located in Detroit, Belleville, Reading, and Alma. The Alma plant is unique in that it is a former Total oil refinery. The area is being turned into an "energy research park" that will include both biodiesel and ethanol research and production facilities. The project is expected to create 1,500 jobs.
Ethanol
Ethanol is a domestically produced, renewable, alcohol-based fuel that is produced through the fermentation and distillation of starch crops that have been converted into simple sugars. Feedstocks for ethanol production include include corn, wheat, barley, milo, or agricultural waste. Ethanol is commonly used to increase octane and improve the emissions quality of gasoline. Currently about 45% of the nations gasoline contains ethanol.
Fuel Blends
Ethonal is typically sold as a blend called E10 Unleaded, which consists of 10% ethanol and 90% unleaded gasoline. Any conventional gasoline vehicle can run on E10 and it is manufacturer approved for use in small engines such as power equipment, snowmobiles, and outboard motors. Despite the fact that E10 has a positive effect on emissions reduction, it is not considered an alternative fuel under EPAct regulations.
When ethanol is sold in a blend of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline, E85, or higher (for example E95), it does qualify as an alternative fuel. Vehicles that can run on E85 blends or higher are called flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs). FFV's are flexible in that they can run on any blend of ethanol or convetional unleaded gasoline. By looking at your vehicle's fuel cap, you can determine if your vehicle is a FFV. Currently there are over 6 million FFV vehicles and 1200 fuel stations that supply E85 with the numbers rapidly growing.
Ethanol-diesel fuel is designed to provide a cleaner diesel fuel for off road vehicles and city buses. Ethanol is blended with diesel and otehr additives, eliminating the emitted black smoke. There are significant reductions in particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxide emissions. Although fairly new, this diesel blend is rapidly growing and some school districs have converted their fleets to this fuel.
Benefits - Environmental & Performance
The enviromental benifits of Ethanol are extensive. Due to having more oxygen in its fuel, Ethanol burns the cleanest of any fuel on the market. A 10% ethanol enriched fuel can reduce carbon monoxide emissions by as much as 30% which is better than any other gasoline. This blend can also reduce greenhose gas emiision by as much as 19%. Also E10 reduces tailpipe fine particulate emissions that cause respitory problems and reduce air quality by as much as 50%. Ethonal is biodegradable which is benificial in the event of leakage or a spill.
Auto manufacturers recommend using E10 because it burns cleaner, removing gummy deposits in the fuel system allowing engines to run at optimal performance. E10 burns cooler than conventional gasoline which can add to engine longevity.
E85 is the cleanest burning, renewable fuel on the market. Vehicle engines incur minimal engine buildup due to the removal of any deposits in the fuel system. Similar to E10 high grade ethanol blends burn cool adding to engine longevity. In addition, ethonal is the highest performance fuel on the market with an octane rating of 113 in its pure form. Engine performance increases with higher power and torque outputs but will have slightly lower fuel economy.
Relative to Michigan
Ethanol fuel is good for the American economy, especially in rural areas because it uses crops, primarily corn and milo, grown in US. There are more than 110 ethanol plants in the US, creating more than 160,000 jobs in the US ethanol industry. As of October 2007, more than 7 billion gallons of ethanol were produced in this country with plans for an additional 6.5 billion gallons.
Currently there are 5 operating ethanol plants in Michigan. The first ethanol production facility in Michigan opened in 2004 and is located in Caro. The plant consumes 16 million bushels of corn per year (Mbu/yr) and produces 45 million gallons (Mgal/yr) of ethanol annually. Other plants are located in Riga (57 Mgal/yr), Albion (21 Mbu/yr and 58 Mgal/yr), Woodbury/Lake Odessa (19 Mbu/yr and 53 Mgal/yr), and Ithaca (48 Mbu/yr and 121 Mgal/yr). A plant in Marysville is under construction with capacity of 20 Mbu/y and 55 Mgal/yr. The newest ethanol plant to open is located in McBain and will be operational in early 2008. Corunna and McBain have applied for permits and Alma and Niles have proposed plans for plants.
In July 2007, Governor Granholm announced the plans to build the nation's first cellulosic ethanol plant in Michigan. Cellulosic plants make ethanol from wood chips and non-food agricultural crops. Granholm said "Cellulosic is the next step in wide-scale ethanol production, and this puts Michigan on the leading edge of technology that will create good-paying jobs for Michigan citizens." Michigan was chosen for its abundance of forestry and agricultural materials and experise through Michigan State University and Michigan Tech.