Biofuel Vocabulary

Anaerobic digestion

A biochemical process by which organic matter is decomposed by bacteria in the absence of oxygen, producing methane and other by products.

Biodiesel

A biofuel produced through transesterification, a process in which organically-derived oils are combined with alcohol (ethanol or methanol) in the presence of a catalyst to form ethyl or methyl ester

Alcohol Fuels

A blended gasoline for use as transportation fuel that is produced from a wide variety of organic feedstock (agricultural plants that have a high sugar content).

Ethanol

A clear, colorless flammable oxygenated hydrocarbon with a boiling point of 173.5 degrees Fahrenheit in the anhydrous state.

Biogas

A combustible gas derived from decomposing biological waste. Biogas normally consists of 50 to 60 percent methane.

Alcohol

A general class of hydrocarbons that contain a hydroxyl group (OH) and is often used interchangeably with the term "ethanol,"

Biodegradable

Capable of decomposing rapidly under natural conditions.

Energy Crops

Crops grown specifically for their fuel value. These include food crops such as corn and sugarcane, and nonfood crops such as poplar trees and switchgrass.

Renewable Energy Resources

Energy resources that are naturally replenishing but flow-limited. They are virtually inexhaustible in duration but limited in the amount of energy that is available per unit of time. Renewable energy resources include: biomass, hydro, geothermal, solar, wind, ocean thermal, wave action, and tidal action.

Biofuels

Fuels made from biomass

Aerobic

Life or biological processes that can occur only in the presence of oxygen.

Biomass

Renewable organic matter such as agricultural crops and residue, wood and wood waste, animal waste, aquatic plants and organic components of municipal and industrial wastes.

Wood Energy

Wood and wood products used as fuel, including round wood (cord wood), limb wood, wood chips, bark, sawdust, forest residues, charcoal, pulp waste, and spent pulping liquor.

Fuelwood

Wood and wood products, possibly including coppices, scrubs, branches, etc., bought or gathered, and used by direct combustion.