Problem 1
Define the term renewable energy.
Problem 3
Describe what is meant by the term carbon debt for biofuels.
Problem 4
Name some advantages and disadvantages of burning biomass to produce electricity.
Problem 5
What role does vapor pressure play in the composition of ethanol-gasoline mixtures designed for automobiles? What is meant by \(\mathrm{E}_{10}\) fuel?
Problem 6
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using ethanol blends in gasoline fuels with regard to air pollution?
Problem 7
Describe the method used in producing bioethanol in volume for use as a fuel. What are the potential feedstocks for this process?
Problem 8
What are the highly energy-intensive steps involved in the production of corn ethanol? What is mean by a co-product? Why isn't ethanol a fully "renewable" fuel?
Problem 9
What is meant by the term cellulosic ethanol? Describe one likely source of biomass for its production. How does a second-generation biofuel differ in nature from a first-generation one?
Problem 11
In terms of their chemical composition, describe what is meant by a fatty acid and how it differs from a triglyceride and the ester used in biofuel. What is glycerin?
Problem 12
What vegetable oil sources are commonly used as raw materials for biodiesel?
