BIOFUELS

Biofuels are obtained from organic (animal or plant) waste and is normally on a small scale. For example, a farm may use waste to produce methane gas (as the waste rots), the gas can then be collected. The gas can then be burned to produce heat or to drive machinery. In the Second World War cars and lorries where often seen with a ‘balloon’ on the roof. This was filled with gas which was the fuel that the vehicle burned. In the modern version the gas is compressed in gas cylinders and kept in the boot.
Often landfill sites (former rubbish dumps) produce methane gas and it leaks out into the air. This can be dangerous as methane can explode. If the gas is piped out it can be stored and used.

The photograph (left) shows a power plant in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA. The plant receives 2500 tonnes of rubbish everyday which is burned in high temperature furnaces, heating water to produce steam. The steam is then used to drive turbines, producing 67MW (mega-watts) of electricity.

WASTE BEING COLLECTED FOR BURNING TO PRODUCE ELECTRICITY

CLICK HERE FOR ENVIRONMENT INDEX PAGE