6D - Biofuel from Fermentation

Question 1

fossil fuel

Answer 1

Fuel that formed over tens of millions of years from the remains of dead organic material. Fossil fuels are considered non-renewable.

Question 2

non-renewable

Answer 2

Refers to a resource that is replenished at a slower rate than it is being used, meaning that it will eventually run out.

Question 3

biofuel

Answer 3

Fuel created from organic material known as biomass.

Question 4

biomass

Answer 4

Organic material, including plants, animal by-products and biological waste material. Biomass can be sourced from many industries, including farming, forestry and food manufacturing.

Question 5

renewable

Answer 5

Refers to a resource that can typically be replenished at the same (or faster) rate that is being used, meaning it is unlikely to run out.

Question 6

carbon neutral

Answer 6

A state in which there is no net release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, meaning that there is a balance between the amount of CO2 that is emitted during combustion of a fuel and how much was originally absorbed during the formation process of that fuel.

Question 7

bioethanol

Answer 7

A type of biofuel is produced via the anaerobic fermentation of plants such as sugarcane or corn.

Question 8

hydrolysis

Answer 8

A chemical reaction in which water is used to break down the chemical bonds of a substance.

Question 9

food vs. fuel debate

Answer 9

A central concern of large-scale biofuel manufacturing that questions the validity of using arable farmland to produce fuel, rather than food.

Question 10

first-generation biofuels

Answer 10

Biofuels produced from edible food crops such as corn or sugarcane. These compete directly with agricultural land.

Question 11

second-generation biofuel

Answer 11

Biofuels produced from non-edible crops such as agricultural and forestry residues and municipal waste. These typically compete less with agricultural land.