This is a UV resistant Hurricane Polycarbonate Window Shield panel that holds 80 pounds of liquid easily. By pumping water in with a small 7 watt water pump, a vacuum is created preventing the entire water mass from rushing out the bottom.
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Article by Russ Harding
The name biofuel refers to fuel made from decomposing matter. Most biofuels are made from plants. They can be in liquid, solid or gas form. How are biofuels different from fossil fuels? It has taken MILLIONS of years for coal, oil and natural gas to form.
Once the crops are harvested, biofuels can be produced in just a few short days. Fossil fuels emit large amounts of greenhouse gasses, whereas biofuels emit much less. But the biggest difference is that fossil fuels are non-renewable, whereas biofuels can be made relatively easily from renewable crops.
Let’s look at the various types of biofuels. There are 4 classifications, or generations. The first generation fuels are produced from food crops such as sugar and other starches, and from both animal and vegetable oils. Some examples of these are biodiesel and biogas.
Second generation biofuels are derived from biomass waste and wood chips. These become various alcohol-based fuels, such as ethanol.
Algae biofuel is the third generation. This is a great renewable energy type because it is readily decomposed into the soil. The forth generation biofuel is produced from micro-organisms working with carbon dioxide.
Here’s a list of biofuel advantages:Environmentally friendly. They release much less carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.They provide an alternative to standard non-renewable fossil fuels, thus lessening our dependence on them.They are cost-effective. Biofuel energy is much less expensive to produce compared to mining and extracting fossil fuels. Who doesn’t want to save money with less expensive fuel?
Now let’s look at biofuel disadvantages.
Using arable land to grow crops to be used in the production of first generation biofuels reduces the quality of the food crop, rendering it unsuitable for human consumption. Thus, there is less land available to grow quality food crops. In recent years, there have been fierce arguments over this issue. The price of edible crops, especially corn, has gone up, causing protests. Many maintain that crops should be grown for food, not fuel.
Another issue with growing crops for biofuels is that you need an enormous amount of material. If land is set aside for fuel crops, it reduces the amount of farming land, and therefore of wilderness which provides habitat for plants and animals.
Lastly, unless one has access to a reliable source, biofuels can be difficult to obtain on a regular basis. Small-scale local use can be beneficial in developing countries. In India, for example, the state of Bihar is using human waste to generate electricity. But other than ethanol, bringing large-scale production to market is slow in coming.
While biofuels definitely have their advantages, the disadvantages at this time tell us there are some serious issues to consider. If you’re looking for green energy sources for your own home, you would probably be better off looking at solar and wind power solutions. There are no controversies involved with these renewable energy types.
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