biofuels

Question 1

what are biofuels

Answer 1

an alternate source of fuel that are renewable from plant material (e.g veggie waste, etc.)
- aim to be carbon neutral (no net release of carbon)

Question 2

enviro, eco and socio advantages of hydrocarbons usage

Answer 2

ENVIRO = natural gas burns cleaner than wood; saves habitats
ECO = increase employment and SOL
SOCIO = increased int. travel and electricity usage

Question 3

disadvantages of biofuel

Answer 3

• require expensive vehicle engine modifications to use
• transportation emits CO2
• lot of fuel needed (ethanol has low enthalpy of combustion)
• pungent fermentation waste

Question 4

advantages of biofuel

Answer 4

• carbon neutral as CO2 produced = CO2 absorbed by sugar cane plants
• burns cleanly due to ethanols partially oxidised nature

Question 5

how are biofuels produced

Answer 5

from fermentation of glucose from natural sources (e.g sugar cane) for fuel

Question 6

what is fermentation

Answer 6

the conversion of carbohydrates into simple alcohols by the action of enzymes in microorganisms
- monosaccharides are the simplest carbohydrates which form ethanol after fermentation

Question 7

enviro, eco and socio advantages of hydrocarbons extraction

Answer 7

ENVIRO = petroleum extraction reduces pressure on underground oil resevioures
ECO = relatively cheap fossil fuels are readily found and are a huge part of Australia’s economy
SOCIO = increases job opportunities

Question 8

natural sources of hydrocarbons

Answer 8

fossil fuels (non-renewable resources) are produced by natural processes on the fossilised remains of dead organisms over millions of years
- DRILLING: drags water to the surface to extract it’s dissolved minerals
- FRACKING: water and other substances are blasted into a natural gas reserve to fracture rocks and extract minerals

Question 9

what is biogas

Answer 9

produced mainly from the waste of organic materials that are broken down by bacteria in an anaerobic environment

Question 10

enviro, eco and socio disadvantages of hydrocarbons extraction

Answer 10

ENVIRO = drilling and fracking damages land; exposes heavy metals and radioactive substances
ECO = relatively high cost to establish
SOCIO = destroys tourist and Indigenous land

Question 11

what is biodiesal

Answer 11

biodiesal is a mixture of esters which are produced by reacting vegetable oils or animal fats with base

Question 12

enviro, eco and socio disadvantages of hydrocarbons usage

Answer 12

ENVIRO = climate change caused by CO2 production; greenhouse affect; acid rain from NO2 and SO2 gases
ECO = global wealth inequality
SOCIO = degrades tourist attractions, human rights violation

Question 13

fermentation equation

Answer 13

glucose –> ethanol + carbon dioxide
C6H12O6 –> 2C2H5OH + 2CO2
- yeast catalyst
- 25-35 degrees celsius
- anaerobic
- low pH

Question 14

photosynthesis equation

Answer 14

6CO2 + 6H2O → C6H12O6 + 6O2
- sunlight catalyst
- endothermic

Question 15

cellular respiration equation

Answer 15

C6H12O6 + 6O2 –> 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP
- exothermic