Biodegradation biofuel

Biofuel Fuel derived from organic sources, e.g., biogas, biomass and the biodegradable fraction of waste. The use of biofuel is neutral in terms of carbon dioxide emissions. 

Biofuels offer a number of technical and enviromnental benefits over conventional fossil fuels, which make them attractive as alternatives for the transport sector. The benefits include greenhouse gas reductions including reduced carbon dioxide emissions, which will contribute to domestic and international targets, the diversification of the fuel sector, biodegradability, sustainability, and an additional market for agricultural products. Biofuels help to protect and create jobs. Table 3.1 shows the major benefits of biofuels. 

Biofuels are obtained from renewable sources and, when they are combusted, generate only as much CO2 as withdrawn form atmosphere by photosynthesis. Less carbon dioxide is formed in the course of combustion than by the equivalent amount of crude oil distillate fuel, for example diesel fuel. In addition, very little sulfur dioxide is formed. Of course, biofuels are biodegradable. 

Scientific research confirms that biofuel has a less harmful effect on human health than petroleum fuel. Biofuel emissions have decreased levels of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and nitrited PAH compounds (nPAH), which have been identified as cancer causing compounds. Test results indicate that PAH compounds were reduced by 50-85%. Targeted nPAH compounds were reduced by 90%. Biofuel is nontoxic and biodegradable. In addition, the flash point (the lowest temperature at which it can form an ignitable mix with air) is 300° F, well above petroleum fuel s flashpoint of 125°F. 

Scandola M, CeccomUi G, Doi Y (1990) Viscoelastic relaxations and thermal properties of bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvaleiate) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate). Int J Biol Macromol 12 112—117 Scharlemann JPW, Laurance WF (2008) How green are biofuels Sdence 319 43-44 Senior PJ, Dawes EA (1973) The regulation of poly-beta-hydroxybutyrate metabolism in Azotobacter beiqerinckii. Biochem J 134 225—238 Shah AA, Hasan F, Hameed A (2010) Degradation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxy-valerate) by a newly isolated Actinomadura sp. AF-555, from sod. Int Biodeterior Biodegrad 64 281-285... 

It should also be emphasized the ecological aspects inherent to biofuel cells that contrarily to fuel cells, require no metal catalysts (platinum, nickel, palladium, rhodium, iridium, etc.). Indeed, materials, fuels, and products used in the design of all biofuel cells are biodegradable. Consequently, these biofuel cells are not subjected to major economic issues related to metal catalyst. Indeed, the increasing demand for strategic metals and metal alloys by high-tech industries, aerospace or automotive industry causes a process of depletion of these materials. 

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) is a family of structurally diverse biopolyesters accumulated by many bacteria as carbon and energy source (Figure 16.1)d PHA have been exploited with a series of applications including environmentally friendly biodegradable plastics for packaging purposes, biofuels, medical implants, and recently, smart materials. PHA monomers are also produced as chiral intermediates for medical or fine chemical applications. ... 

S. Camarero, MJ. Martinez, and A.T. Martinez, Understanding lignin biodegradation for the improved utilization of plant biomass in modern biorefineries. Biofuels Bioprod. Biorefining, 8 (5), 615-625,2014. 

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