Biofuel

Benefits and limitations of biofuels

Apart from replacing a portion of the fossil fuels used in the transport sector, biofuels also bring about other benefits:

- The amount of carbon dioxide released in the utilization process is close to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed when growing the crops. (Note that energy is required for the farming, processing, refining and transportation steps.) 
- Biofuels are biodegradable and nontoxic, and hence cause less soil and groundwater contamination.
- Biofuel utilization produces lower emissions of greenhouse gases, sulphur dioxide and particulates than the conventional automotive fuels.
- Biofuels produced from organic wastes also offer waste management benefits as an alternative for solid waste treatment.
- Biofuels are found to improve engine performance. Ethanol has higher octane number than petrol, making it a very knock-proof fuel. Besides, biodiesel has the ability to dissolve diesel residues in diesel engines.
- The production of biofuels from suitable feedstock can create socio-economic benefits by increasing employment, reducing fossil fuel import and opening up potential export markets.