bioethanol
Plant-derived motor fuel
Bioethanol is ethanol produced from plant materials rather than petroleum—typically corn, sugarcane, or other crops rich in fermentable sugars or starches.
It serves primarily as a fuel, either blended with gasoline or used on its own in specially designed engines: The car runs on E85, which is 85 percent bioethanol.
The "bio-" prefix distinguishes it from synthetic ethanol.
Plant-based motor fuel
- biogasFuel from anaerobic decomposition
- renewablesReplenishing energy sources
- energy securityAssured access to fuel
- energy independenceGenerating power domestically
Cereal grown on cobs
- sugarcaneSucrose-yielding tropical grass
- switchgrassNative prairie grass species
- sorghumWarm-climate cereal grass
- cassavaStarchy tropical root vegetable
wheat · barley · sugar beet · crop · residues · bagasse · husk · cellulose
85% ethanol motor fuel
- gasoholEthanol-petroleum fuel blend
- octanePetroleum hydrocarbon measure
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
- engineMachine producing motion
gasoline · blending · fuel injection · emissions · exhaust · carbon · alternative fuel · additive
Microbial sugar conversion
- distillationPurification via vaporization
- biorefineryBiomass conversion facility
- enzymaticInvolving biological catalysts
- yeastFermenting fungus
hydrolysis · cellulosic · pretreatment · feedstock · starches · sugars · mash · stillage
Net-zero emissions state
- renewableCapable of restoration
- sustainableAble to endure long-term
- ecofriendlyNot harmful to nature
- emissions reductionLowering pollutant output
greenhouse gas · lifecycle · carbon footprint · low-carbon · climate · decarbonization
biodiesel
Plant-based motor fuel
- biogasFuel from anaerobic decomposition
- renewablesReplenishing energy sources
- energy securityAssured access to fuel
corn
Cereal grown on cobs
- sugarcaneSucrose-yielding tropical grass
- switchgrassNative prairie grass species
- sorghumWarm-climate cereal grass
cassava · wheat · barley · sugar beet · crop · residues · bagasse · husk · cellulose · molasses
E85
85% ethanol motor fuel
- gasoholEthanol-petroleum fuel blend
- octanePetroleum hydrocarbon measure
- combustionExothermic reaction with oxygen
engine · gasoline · blending · fuel injection · emissions · exhaust · carbon · alternative fuel · additive · oxygenate
fermentation
Microbial sugar conversion
- distillationPurification via vaporization
- biorefineryBiomass conversion facility
- enzymaticInvolving biological catalysts
yeast · hydrolysis · cellulosic · pretreatment · feedstock · starches · sugars · mash · stillage · dehydration
carbon-neutral
Net-zero emissions state
- renewableCapable of restoration
- sustainableAble to endure long-term
- ecofriendlyNot harmful to nature
emissions reduction · greenhouse gas · lifecycle · carbon footprint · low-carbon · climate · decarbonization
- clean energysolar power, solar, wind power, wind, solar panels
- Renewable Energysolar power, wind power, solar energy, wind energy, hydropower
- fuelsgasoline, diesel, coal, gas, petrol
- agroindustryfood processing, grain milling, meat packing, sugar refining, cotton ginning
- alternative fuelsbiodiesel, biofuels, biogas, hydrogen fuel, methanol
- liquid fuelsdiesel, gasoline, petrol, kerosene, fuel oil
bioethanolfossil fuel
Energy from decomposed organisms
petroleum · gasoline · petrol · crude oil · fossil fuels
biology, biography, bio, biologist, biotic, ethanol, biomass, biosphere, biodegradable