Making bio-diesel and bio-ethanol

Bio diesel and bio ethanol are currently considered as the future of fuel for vehicles, other heavy machinery, and power in general. The process has many steps and is currently costly. The idea is to take used oil or to take corn or plant matter and break it down into diesel fuel or  ethanol, depending on the material. Bio deisel requires the use of old grease or vegetable oils. below is a chart of the step required to make bio diesel.

This process, if streamlined, can drastically reduce the need for fossil fuels. Bio ethanol has a similar method but requires plant matter such as corn or reed. Below is a diagram of a typical bio ethanol plant.

 

Both of these method for producing alternative fuels are a good start to finding alternative energy. Bio ethanol runs into problems because it cuts into corn supply, which is a major food source for the whole world, which in turn has negative effects on the economy. It will be interesting to see where future of alternative fuels takes us.