biofuel

American  

[bahy-oh-fyoo-uhl] / ˈbaɪ oʊˌfyu əl /

noun

1. fuel, as wood or ethanol, derived from biomass.

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biofuel British  

/ ˈbaɪəʊˌfjʊəl /

noun

1. a gaseous, liquid, or solid substance of biological origin that is used as a fuel

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biofuel Scientific  

/ bī′ō-fyo̅o̅′əl /

1. Fuel produced from renewable resources, especially plant biomass, vegetable oils, and treated municipal and industrial wastes. Biofuels are considered neutral with respect to the emission of carbon dioxide because the carbon dioxide given off by burning them is balanced by the carbon dioxide absorbed by the plants that are grown to produce them. The use of biofuels as an additive to petroleum-based fuels can also result in cleaner burning with less emission of carbon monoxide and particulates.

2. ◆ Ethanol produced by fermenting the sugars in biomass materials such as corn and agricultural residues is known as bioethanol. Bioethanol is used in internal-combustion engines either in pure form or more often as a gasoline additive.

3. ◆ Biodiesel is made by processing vegetable oils and other fats and is also used either in pure form or as an additive to petroleum-based diesel fuel.

4. ◆ Biogas is a mixture of methane and carbon dioxide produced by the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter such as sewage and municipal wastes by bacteria. It is used especially in the generation of hot water and electricity.

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Etymology

Origin of biofuel

First recorded in 1970–75; bio- + fuel

Example Sentences

Understanding this process is essential for developing crops that can grow with less water and still reliably produce food, biofuel and bioproducts, especially in regions facing drought.

From Science Daily

Carmakers will be expected to compensate for the extra emissions created by these vehicles by using biofuels and so-called e-fuels, which are synthesised from captured carbon dioxide.

From BBC

The remaining 10% would need to be made up through the use of low-carbon steel or from e-fuels and biofuels, according to the proposal.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We worked on things that leveraged our capabilities, our customers, our value chains,” said Chevron CEO Mike Wirth, highlighting projects for hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, as well as geothermal and biofuels.

From The Wall Street Journal

Brazil has also promised a four-fold increase in the use of biofuels, which can be controversial, by 2035.

From BBC