Biofuel

Subject: Environment

Context:

Plastic from used personal protective equipment (PPE) can be transformed into renewable liquid fuels, according to a new study in the journal

Concept:

• PPE waste to be converted into fuel using chemical a process called pyrolysis.
• This breaks down plastic at high temperature – between 300-400°C for an hour – without oxygen.
• Biofuels are transportation fuels such as ethanol and biodiesel that are made from biomass materials.
• These fuels are usually blended with petroleum fuels (gasoline and diesel fuel), but they can also be used on their own.
• Using ethanol or biodiesel reduces the consumption of gasoline and diesel fuel made from crude oil, which can reduce the amount of crude oil imported from other countries. Ethanol and biodiesel are also cleaner-burning fuels than pure gasoline and diesel fuel.
• Ethanol is an alcohol fuel made from the sugars found in grains such as corn, sorghum, and barley.
• Biodiesel is a fuel made from vegetable oils, fats, or greases—such as recycled restaurant grease. Biodiesel fuel can be used in diesel engines without changing the engine. Pure biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable