Difference Between Ethanol and Biodiesel

Ethanol vs. Biodiesel

With the rapid increase of pollutants being emitted into the atmosphere, most likely because of the carbon emissions from gasoline powered motor vehicles, scientists have already invented the solution to this never ending problem. The solution comes in the form of ethanol and biodiesel.

Biofuels have been the primary focus of most energy experts nowadays. However, the most common biofuels ‘“ ethanol and biodiesel – have long been placed into much debate. As a start, both are harnessed with the use of biomass energy. Ethanol is usually taken from corn, grasses and other agricultural wastes, while biodiesel is from soybeans. Nevertheless, other countries may use different alternatives to soybean and corn, like rapeseed, canola, sunflower, cottonseed and biomass algae.

Especially in the U.S., ethanol is preferably being mixed with regular gasoline to make preparations of 10% or 85% ethanol. Take note, the higher the ethanol content the greater will be the gas’ octane level. This means that the fuel burns a lot cleaner than usual. The problem is, not all vehicles can support the ethanol fuel. That’s why the majority of vehicles can only handle a mix as low as 10%. As an alcohol-based biofuel, ethanol is obtained through transesterification – a refining process where oil and alcohol react with one another for the removal of glycerin.

Conversely, biodiesel can be harnessed from the fats of either animals or plants. But in the U.S., soybeans have become the staple raw material for biodiesels. This biofuel is more efficient than ethanol because it can generate more energy (about 93% more) than the ones being used for its production. In the case of ethanol, it is just about 25%. Another advantage of this biofuel is that it can be a standalone fuel. This means that no mixing is required, as in the case of ethanol.

With regard to environmental impact, biodiesel is generally friendlier than ethanol. It causes 40-45% less pollution than regular gas. On the other hand, ethanol causes only 12-15% less pollution than regular gas.

Overall, although we need not worry that much anymore about global warming and the burning of fossil fuels because of the advent of biofuels, there is still a big dilemma in making the ultimate switch, because there are lots of issues left to be addressed with regard to the fuel economy.

1. Biodiesel is usually obtained from soybeans, whereas ethanol is from corn.
2. Biodiesel is friendlier to the environment than ethanol.
3. Biodiesel generates more energy than the energy needed for its production as compared to what ethanol can generate.
4. At present, biodiesel can be a standalone fuel, whereas ethanol must be mixed with gas to ensure fuel engine compatibility with vehicles.

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