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Welcome to the DailyFuel podcast. I'm Sam Smith, your host, and on this episode, we will discuss hydrocarbon fuels and alternative fuel sources. Hydrocarbons are our most significant energy source. As reported by Energy Education, about 85% of the world's primary energy comes from hydrocarbon resources, according to the Gordon Research Conference. Fossil fuels consist of hydrocarbons that include petroleum, natural gas, and coal. Based on some estimates, we have 47 years' worth of oil left at our current consumption rate. According to WorldOMeter, that amounts to around 1.65 trillion barrels of confirmed oil reserves. In this century, hydrocarbon fuels will run dry. Britannica states that when hydrocarbon fuels burn, carbon dioxide (CO2) and other greenhouse gases release into the atmosphere. The emission of hydrocarbon fuels contributes to the production of photochemical ozone (O3). This has negative health impacts, stunts plant growth, and causes climate change. Other emerging fuels are renewable and carbon-zero. So why are we still using hydrocarbons? First, you need to understand what hydrocarbons are. A hydrocarbon is an organic molecule that only contains hydrogen and carbon atoms. The hydrogen atoms bind to the carbon atoms in various ways to create the compound's structure. Hydrocarbons can form three different structures; alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. According to the Merck Manual, hydrocarbons are the building blocks of coal, natural gas, crude oil, and other significant energy sources. Secondly, hydrocarbons burn in an oxygen-fueled process that produces carbon dioxide and water. The melting point of hydrocarbons rises with the number of carbons. Crude oil is a combination of several chemicals known as hydrocarbons. In a distillation tower, the crude separates by boiling point heated by a furnace. The material transforms into finished goods like fuels. For example, gasoline and diesel, as well as specialty items like asphalt and solvents, by using heat, pressure, or a catalyst. Hydrocarbon fuel's carbon and hydrogen atoms undergo an exothermic reaction with oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water as found by the World Petroleum Council. The reaction gives out energy that can be transformed into electricity or kinetic energy. The solution is soy biodiesel, according to the AFDC. Biodiesel is a fuel made from renewable materials like vegetable and animal fats. Its chemical structure is made up of a combination of mono-alkyl esters derived from long-chain fatty acids. Transesterification, a process that turns fats and oils into glycerin and biodiesel, is used to create the fuel (a coproduct). As a vehicle fuel, it boosts energy security, enhances air quality, and offers safety advantages. Soy biodiesel is a fuel alternative produced from soybean oil. The fuel efficiency of biodiesel-powered vehicles is 30% higher than that of diesel engines powered by petroleum, which results in fewer fill-ups and higher miles per gallon, according to Soya. There are four main benefits of soy biodiesel over petroleum diesel, according to Conserve Energy Future. Firstly, Soybean biodiesel has a positive energy balance, which means that for every unit of fossil energy used over its lifetime, it produces 4.56 units of energy. As the carbon dioxide emitted during biodiesel burning is balanced by the carbon dioxide absorbed during the growth of the soybeans or other feedstocks used to make the fuel, using it minimizes life cycle emissions. Argonne National Laboratory's life cycle research revealed that using B100, a type of biodiesel, reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 74% when compared to using petroleum fuel. Secondly, biofuel refineries, which use vegetable and animal fat to produce biofuel, release fewer hazardous substances into the environment in the event of a spill. Thirdly, in comparison to petroleum diesel, which has a flashpoint of roughly 52°C, biodiesel has a flashpoint of about 130°C. Because it is less flammable than petroleum diesel, it is safer to handle, store, and transfer biodiesel. Fourthly, it can actually prevent damage to your car and will make it last longer. The higher cetane value of biodiesel makes starting engines smoother. Less engine wear and tears over time are associated with the higher lubricity of biodiesel. Finally, as biodiesel is made from homegrown energy crops, biodiesel can serve as an alternative fuel and help us become less reliant on imports of oil. Thus it will decrease the carbon emissions from overseas transport. There are two environmental disadvantages of soy biodiesel over petroleum diesel, as reported by Soya. Firstly, nitrogen oxide (NOx) levels in biodiesel are roughly 10% greater than those in typical hydrocarbons. One of the gases utilized in the creation of smog and ozone is nitrogen oxide. It can produce acid rain once it dissolves in atmospheric moisture. Secondly, more fertilizer is used as more crops are produced to make biofuels, which can have a catastrophic impact on the environment. Additionally, excessive fertilizer use can cause soil erosion and land degradation. In conclusion, soy biodiesel does have fewer environmental impacts than the fuels that are being used now. Although it is more expensive to produce than traditional hydrocarbon fuels, it is sustainable, renewable, and will definitely be commonly used in the future. You heard it here on the DailyFuel podcast. I'm Sam Smith signing out.