Tag: biofuels

Gasification of coal, use of CNG, and use of gasohol are all methods to either extend the life of fossil fuel reserves or reduce the environmental impact of their consumption, thus serving as measures for their protection or sustainable use.

The resources which can be replenished again after their consumption are referred to as the renewable sources of energy.  Water is considered as the renewable form of energy. The water reserves can be replenished by the rainfall. Forests are the renewable resource which can be replenished by afforestation. The soil can be replenished by the weathering of the rocks. The petrol is available in limited stocks by the activity of the microbes on the dead matter under the soil.

Thermal power plants require large amounts of water for cooling, which can lead to significant depletion of local ground water sources. The other options (afforestation, etc.) generally help maintain or improve water tables.

Fossil fuels are the hydrocarbon compounds formed due to the microbial activity on the dead plants and animals. There are different materials which can be referred as the fossil fuels. The coal, natural gas, oil, petrol, diesel are all the components which are obtained from the Earth. These are used as fossil fuels for the production of energy.

Liquefied petroleum gas or liquid petroleum gas (LPG or LP gas), also referred to as simply propane or butane are flammable mixtures of hydrocarbon gases used as fuel in heating appliances, cooking equipment and vehicles. 

The products which are obtained from the forests include the wood, gum, resins, tannins, sealing wax, etc. The plywood is the sheet of the wood which is used for furniture and house construction. The sealing wax is obtained from the bugs which live on trees. The gum is obtained from the secretions of the trees. The kerosene is not a forest product which is obtained from the distillation of the fuel from the ground. 

In India, natural gas reserves are relatively limited and are being consumed rapidly due to increasing industrial and domestic demand, making them a rapidly depleting resource compared to coal.

Transesterification is the process of converting vegetable oil, waste cooking oil and animal fats to biodiesel. In this process glyceride reacts with an alcohol to form fatty acid alkyl esters and alcohol.

Biodiesel is produced from jatropha oil. Jatropha is used because it is not edible therefore, it will not create problems for humans in terms of food shortage. It also has the ability to withstand drought, naturally, repel pests, and grow in subprime soil and combat soil erosion. Thus, the correct answer is option D.

Oil spills occur when liquid petroleum is released into the environment by vehicle, vessel or pipeline. It is mostly seen in water bodies. In water bodies, improper oil extraction due to drilling rigs, offshore oil platforms and well result in oil spills. Oil spill prevention and clean up procedures include the use of dispersants to break down the oil, collect oil from the surface of the water using a skimmer or use of biological agents. These procedures are monitored by coast guards. Thus, the correct answer is option C.