Biohiilivetyjä

Biohiilivetyjä, or biohydrocarbons, are hydrocarbon compounds derived from biomass. They are considered a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels, as the biomass used to produce them absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during its growth. This process can lead to a net reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil hydrocarbons. The production of biohydrocarbons typically involves a series of thermochemical or biochemical processes. Thermochemical methods include gasification and pyrolysis, where biomass is heated in the absence of oxygen to produce syngas or bio-oil, which can then be further refined into liquid or gaseous hydrocarbons. Biochemical methods often involve the fermentation of sugars derived from biomass by microorganisms to produce biofuels like ethanol or butanol, which are also types of biohydrocarbons. These fuels can be used in existing infrastructure, such as internal combustion engines and power plants, with minimal modifications. Research and development in this field aim to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of production processes, as well as to broaden the range of biomass feedstocks that can be utilized. The ultimate goal is to create a closed-loop carbon cycle where the burning of biohydrocarbons releases only the carbon that was recently captured from the atmosphere, thereby mitigating climate change.