EROEI – energy efficiency of fuel production

Posted by Krzysztof Lis on October 3, 2010

In many articles on this blog I used the term efficiency. It describes the ratio between the output power from any device (like an internal combustion engine) and the input to that device. For example, in internal combustion engine the output is the power transmitted via the shaft to the gearbox, while the input is the amount of energy stored in fuel, the heating value of the fuel. If we’re discussing electric engines, the output is the same, while the input is the amount of electrical power used by the engine while it is working.

When it comes to producing biofuels, or any fuels in general (even the ones derived from the petroleum), you use a similar factor, called EROEI. It is an abbreviation of Energy Return On Energy Invested. For a specific fuel it shows how much energy you obtain from this fuel when compared to the energy used to producing it. WAIT! There is more to read… read on »

Bio-Fuels: The Fuel Of The Future

Posted by Krzysztof Lis on March 30, 2008

by Susan Banks Sr

Biomass burning has an overall impact on the atmospheric chemistry as well as the climate. When there is a fire in the savannas, or tropical forests, or like the recent California fire, large quantities of particulate matter and trace gases are released.

Biomass fuel is also known as Bio-fuel. Bio-fuel is defined as liquid, solid or gaseous fuel that consists of biomass. Biomass fuels can be used for generating power and also for heating purposes. WAIT! There is more to read… read on »

Biofuels in general

Posted by Krzysztof Lis on March 13, 2008

Biofuels are all the fuels that are made of biomass (all biological matter, produced by living organisms). They are a renewable energy source, contrary to fossil fuels like oil, natural gas, coal or uranium. Some scientists use term biofuel only referring to fuels that in more than 80% (volumetric) are made of biomass harvested 10 years prior to producing that fuel. WAIT! There is more to read… read on »