Can the use of biofuels be produced without the use of petroleum products?

Question

Can the use of biofuels be produced without the use of petroleum products?

Answer 1

Yes. The yield may be lower, because we would be using up a lot of bio fuels to produce more bio fuels.

But, if we grow trees such as fast growing poplars, let them grow as many as 25 years, do a mechanical harvest, then use a pyrolitic process, we can have wood gas as fuel to sustain the process. The benefit of using trees that stay there many years, and self-propagate, we minimize inputs. The leaves fall to preserve the soil.

The downside of this is much the same as for corn, we run out of land to grow the fuel and our food on, we run short of water to provide that growth. We still have to get the plant nutrients from the trees back to the land.

If we could reclaim all the water leaving the continents, going into the oceans, and use  to water arid areas, could we accomplish this?

Just think how much could be produced if all the water of the Mississipi were spread out into the deserts of the south west USA, or the waters of Niger and Congo were pumped back into near desert areas of Africa, The  waters of the Yellow river sent up to the Gobi desert.

Answer 2

My husband used to work in an auto shop that converted diesel vehicles to run on pure vegetable oil.  No biodiesel, no petroleum products.  They got their oil from fast food restaurants for free and the restaurants are happy to give it away since they would normally have to pay a disposal company to haul it away.  This is the kind that will make your exhaust pipe smell like french fries! The process is still being tweaked for use in colder climates, but is perfect for more mild climate areas.  If your climate is too cold to run it in winter you can at least do your part during the summer months.  It tends to be a bit of a messy ordeal but if you have the space and patience you could supply yourself and several friends with a clean reused fuel.  Also keep in mind that use of these types non petroleum products are going to require modifications to your vehicle.  They are definitely worth it though!

Answer 3

Yes, but they will cost even more.

Answer 4

Yes, Bio stands for biodegradable meaning that it is natural. You do not need petrol to make these. They come from nature, like corn or sunflowers and such as that.