Deck 32: Biofuels Gas From Grass

Question 1

Which form(s)of biomass is/are burned directly for energy?

A)dried manure
B)restaurant fry grease
C)firewood
D)both dried manure and firewood
E)both restaurant fry grease and firewood

Answer 1

both dried manure and firewood

Question 2

Which of the following is a concern regarding early corn ethanol projects?

A)Corn production requires energy inputs like fertilizers and pesticides.
B)Considerable water is required to produce ethanol from corn.
C)The projects used as much (or almost as much)energy as they produced.
D)All of these answers are concerns.
E)None of these answers are concerns.

Answer 2

All of these answers are concerns.

Question 3

Fuels derived from current biomass are considered renewable since _________.

A)their production takes days or weeks
B)they have a higher carbon footprint than fossil fuels
C)they are a short-term option to our energy problem
D)they are not harvested from living material
E)they do not release any carbon back into the atmosphere when burned

Answer 3

their production takes days or weeks

Question 4

Which of the following choices would NOT be considered a biofuel feedstock?

A)beef from cows
B)animal waste
C)crops
D)wood products

Question 5

Which of the following is an annual plant?

A)corn
B)switchgrass
C)goldenrod
D)wheatgrass

Question 6

Explain the outcome of David Tilman's research and what it meant for biofuel crops.

Question 7

What is biowaste? Describe the benefits of converting waste into energy.

Question 8

What are biofuels,and what are potential biofuel sources?

Question 9

Which of the following is CORRECT regarding indirect biomass energy?

A)It is converted from biomass and then burned.
B)This energy-rich fuel is less bulky than the original biomass.
C)These fuels burn more cleanly than the original biomass.
D)These fuels can power engines that currently run on gasoline or diesel fuel.
E)All of these answers are correct regarding indirect biomass energy.

Question 10

Material from living or recently living organisms or their by-products is defined as _________.

A)biofuel
B)biomass
C)feedstock
D)extract

Question 11

__________ are defined as solids,liquids,or gases that produce energy from biological material.

A)Biosources
B)Biomaterials
C)Biofuels
D)Biopowers

Question 12

Which of the following is a waste that can be used to produce biofuel?

A)used fryer oil from restaurants
B)manure
C)crop residues
D)animal fats
E)All of these answers are correct.

Question 13

Choose the form of biomass that is easiest to ferment into bioethanol.

A)switchgrass
B)crop waste
C)corn
D)forestry waste
E)manure

Question 14

In 2012,biofuels provided about _______ of the energy used in the United States,more than any other type of renewable resource.

A)0.4%
B)7%
C)14%
D)40%
E)80%

Question 15

Explain why there is a critical need for the development of biofuels.

Question 16

Concerned about rising gas prices,the need for energy security,and greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion,you set out to find a plant species that could serve as a biofuel.What characteristics are you looking for in such a plant?

Question 17

Which of the following would NOT make a good biofuel source?

A)poplar trees
B)eucalyptus trees
C)oak trees
D)grasses
E)All of these answers would be good biofuel sources.

Question 18

Which of the following choices is typically used to produce biodiesel?

A)corn
B)sugarcane
C)soybeans
D)switchgrass
E)beets

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT an advantage of using biofuels as an alternative energy source?

A)Biofuels can be replaced over short time scales.
B)Biofuels enable us to turn waste into energy.
C)Crops for biofuels can be grown on marginal land.
D)Biofuels are versatile; they can be used in a variety of ways.
E)All of these answers are advantages.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a concern when it comes to the conversion of natural lands into farmland for biofuel production?

A)displacement of food crops that would normally be grown there
B)endangerment of native species around the area
C)increase in price for food crops
D)job losses for native workers

Question 21

List and describe at least three advantages and three disadvantages of biofuels.

Question 22

Globally,food crops are being displaced by biofuel crops.Crops that normally were grown for either human or animal consumption are instead being grown for fuel.This switch has resulted in price increases and food riots.Which of the following crops has caused the most issues when switched from a food crop to a biofuel crop?

A)corn
B)wheat
C)potato
D)rice
E)soybean

Question 23

Which of the following is a benefit to using crops such as switchgrass to produce cellulosic ethanol?

A)It makes use of exhausted farmland.
B)It does not displace food production.
C)Production consumes less energy.
D)These crops are perennials.
E)All of these answers are correct.

Question 24

Which of the following is TRUE regarding the increasing production of biofuels in the United States?

A)Ethanol and biodiesel are becoming competitors for gasoline and diesel fuel.
B)If grown with minimal or no fossil fuel inputs,biofuels decrease greenhouse gas emissions.
C)Increased use of biofuels improves national security by lessening dependence on foreign oil.
D)All of these answers are true.
E)None of these answers is true.

Question 25

Describe the advantages and disadvantages of biofuels in terms of air pollution,relative to fossil fuels.

Question 26

One way to improve energy return and reduce the amount of greenhouse gases typically released by traditional monoculture fuel crops is to use LIHD grassland plants.What does LIHD stand for?

A)low-input,high-density
B)low-input,high-diversity
C)lean-inflow,high-density
D)lean-inflow,high-diversity
E)late-ingrass,high-dependence

Question 27

Cellulose is complex and difficult to break down.Which of the following is NOT a method currently in use to tear apart the strong chemical bonds in cellulose?

A)low temperatures
B)high temperatures
C)acid
D)enzymes
E)yeast

Question 28

While starch from corn is soft,cellulose in grasses is _________.

A)complex
B)durable
C)not easily degraded
D)All of these answers are correct.
E)None of these answers is correct.

Question 29

What are some of the concerns regarding the use of crops in biofuel production?

Question 30

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of switching from corn ethanol to cellulosic ethanol?

A)potential to circumvent the food controversy by not occupying land that could support food crops
B)resistance to many pests and plant diseases
C)requirement of less fertilizer
D)consumption of less energy for production
E)ease of scaling up production

Question 31

Most biofuels today are made from crops grown specifically for energy use.What are the main crops used to produce ethanol and biodiesel? What are the environmental downsides to using these crops in biofuel production?

Question 32

Which of the following is a benefit of growing diverse grasses for biofuel production?

A)can be grown in marginal soil
B)can be grown on neglected agricultural land
C)does not displace food production
D)is not destructive to habitats
E)All of these answers are correct.

Question 33

_____________ is a term used to explain a biofuel disadvantage that reduces the contributions made from forests and grasslands to ecosystem services.

A)"Overhauling"
B)"Overharvesting"
C)"Hyperproducing"
D)"Overgrowing"

Question 34

Compared with gasoline,biofuels produce fewer greenhouse emissions.Which of the following biofuels produces the FEWEST greenhouse gas emissions when compared with gasoline?

A)corn grain ethanol
B)high-input biofuels
C)soybean biodiesel
D)LIHD grasses grown on farmland
E)LIHD grasses grown on marginal land

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT observed when switchgrass is grown in a high-diversity mix of plant species instead of as a monoculture?

A)less irrigation
B)less management
C)more fertilizer because plants are competing with each other
D)a lot more biomass being produced
E)more biofuel for fewer inputs

Question 36

Bioethanol that is produced by breaking down cellulose in plants is called _________.

A)cellulosic ethanol
B)starch ethanol
C)plant ethanol
D)cellulose sequestering
E)cellulosic sequestering

Question 37

Refer to Infographic 4.Use the data from the energy return on energy investment comparison graph to determine which crop offers the highest net energy return (output - input).

A)corn grain ethanol
B)soybean biodiesel
C)biomass combustion
D)biomass ethanol
E)biomass biodiesel

Question 38

Which of the following is an advantage of using biofuel?

A)All types have a higher energy content than fossil fuels,so less needs to be burned to produce the same amount of energy.
B)Burning biomass directly produces minimal particulate matter pollution.
C)If grown with minimal or no fossil fuel inputs,it is carbon neutral or negative.
D)The most commonly grown biofuel crops consume far less water per kilowatt-hour than what is used for traditional fossil fuels.

Question 39

What unintended consequence(s)could arise from government subsidies,tax breaks,or mandates that support biofuel production?

Question 40

The EROEI of corn is 5:1 compared to conventional oil,which has an EROEI of 20:1.This means _________.

A)corn produces 5 units of energy for every unit of energy invested.
B)oil gives less energy return on energy invested per unit.
C)corn has a net energy production of 5.
D)oil has a net energy production of 21.
E)corn and oil have the same energy return for each unit of energy invested.

Question 41

Which of the following is a way to improve a vehicle's energy efficiency?

A)construction with lighter materials
B)more aerodynamic shapes
C)incorporation of hybrid technologies
D)more energy-efficient engines
E)All of these answers are correct.

Question 42

Which of the following is FALSE regarding biodiesel?

A)It is the only biofuel to be certified by the EPA.
B)It comprises only a small portion of the biofuels produced today.
C)It can be produced from soybeans as well as from animal fats.
D)It can be used in both diesel and gasoline engines.

Question 43

Refer to Infographic 5.Describe the production of grain ethanol and cellulosic ethanol.Why is it more challenging to produce ethanol from plants with high cellulose content compared with producing it from grain?

Question 44

Which of the following is/are predicted to generate the most oil per acre in biodiesel production?

A)algae
B)switchgrass
C)soybeans
D)rapeseed
E)oil palms

Question 45

What has recently become an attractive alternative to using grains (corn)or sugarcane to make bioethanol? Briefly describe what sources are used and why its production efficiency is currently an issue.

Question 46

Refer to the following graphic and use the data to help describe how emissions from biofuels compare with those from gasoline.Also address how emissions from current biofuels compare to those from LIHD biofuels.

Question 47

What are some advantages and disadvantages of using algae for biofuel?

Question 48

Which of the following is the BEST option in terms of being environmentally friendly while operating a motor vehicle?

A)avoiding quick starts and speeding up to stop signs
B)removing golf clubs from the trunk unless going to the golf course
C)combining errands into one trip that minimizes driving miles
D)investing in a hybrid or all-electric car
E)biking or walking to work,to school,or to run errands

Question 49

_____________ refers to the process where a plant absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and then stores carbon in its roots.

A)Carbon absorption
B)Carbon storing
C)Carbon loading
D)Carbon sequestration

Question 50

Ethanol can be produced from the biological fermentation of all of the following sources EXCEPT _________.

A)corn.
B)algae.
C)sugarcane.
D)switchgrass.
E)None of these answers-ethanol can be produced from the biological fermentation of any plant material.

Question 51

How would the production of cellulosic ethanol circumvent the "food versus fuel" controversy?

Question 52

Driving habits that maximize mileage include all of the following EXCEPT _________.

A)keeping your vehicle in tune by scheduling regular maintenance appointments
B)avoiding idling and turning off your car if you will be parked,even briefly
C)maintaining 70 miles per hour on the highway to decrease the time the engine is running
D)avoiding carrying excess weight in the vehicle
E)None of these answers is correct.

Question 53

What is a barrier to producing ethanol from cellulosic feedstocks on a large scale?

A)It is a slow process.
B)It is expensive.
C)It requires high temperatures.
D)It can be energy-intensive.
E)All of these answers are correct.

Question 54

Describe some benefits of making cellulosic ethanol from switchgrass.

Question 55

Which of the following is FALSE regarding biodiesel production?

A)Biodiesel is mixed with water to capture impurities.
B)It is formed directly from its feedstock.
C)Feedstocks include vegetable oils,animal fats,or recycled greases.
D)It can be produced on small or large scales.
E)It is a multistep process.

Question 56

Which of the following is a challenge faced when making biofuel from algae?

A)meeting fresh water requirements
B)competing with food crops
C)paying the high expenses of oil production facilities
D)convincing companies to invest in turning algae oil into fuel

Question 57

Which step is needed in cellulosic ethanol production that is not needed in production from grain ethanol?

A)preparation
B)pretreatment
C)enzymatic cellulose breakdown
D)fermentation
E)distillation

Question 58

Refer to Infographic 5.In which step in the conversion of cellulose to ethanol is the raw material chopped or ground into small,uniform-sized pieces?

A)preparation
B)pretreatment
C)enzymatic cellulose breakdown
D)lignin separation
E)distillation

Question 59

Which trade-off of traditional biofuels,like ethanol produced from corn,can be addressed by using algae as a biofuel source?

A)using large amounts of fresh water to grow and process the source
B)overharvesting of a biofuel source that negatively affects the local ecosystem
C)using farmland for biofuel source production
D)All of these answers are correct.
E)None of these answers is correct.

Question 60

Which of the following is NOT a driving habit that maximizes mileage?

A)using cruise control
B)keeping tires properly inflated
C)avoiding carrying excess weight in the vehicle
D)keeping the car idling when parked briefly and avoiding turning the car on and off
E)combining trips and planning your route to avoid backtracking

Question 61

List and describe at least five habits drivers can employ to maximize mileage and conserve energy.

Question 62

You are concerned about the environment. You want to do your part to make the world more sustainable. Your environmental science professor mentions biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels and that they have a lower carbon footprint than fossil fuels. You decide to do more research on biofuels.
You are trying to be a more efficient driver.Which of these would help you do that?

A)using cruise control
B)commuting to and from work with someone else
C)keeping your tires properly inflated

Question 63

Science Literacy Use the graph below in answer the next questions.
The order of biofuels from the HIGHEST net energy production to the LOWEST is _______.

A)corn ethanol,biomass ethanol,biomass biodiesel
B)soybean diesel,biomass biodiesel,corn ethanol
C)biomass biodiesel,corn ethanol,biomass ethanol
D)biomass ethanol,biomass biodiesel,corn ethanol

Question 64

Science Literacy Use the graph below in answer the next questions.
The greatest difference between the highest net energy yield and the lowest net energy yield of the biofuels in the graph is _______.

A)15
B)13
C)14
D)2

Question 65

You are concerned about the environment. You want to do your part to make the world more sustainable. Your environmental science professor mentions biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels and that they have a lower carbon footprint than fossil fuels. You decide to do more research on biofuels.
You hear from your professor that the difference between biofuels and fossil fuels is _______.

A)the time frame in which the fuels are created
B)that biofuels cannot be locally produced
C)that biofuels can be used only to produce electricity

Question 66

Science Literacy Use the graph below in answer the next questions.
The biofuel with the highest output of energy produced is _______.

A)corn ethanol
B)soybean biodiesel
C)biomass ethanol
D)biomass biodiesel

Question 67

Science Literacy Use the graph below in answer the next questions.
The net energy balance of biomass biodiesel is _______.

A)1
B)7
C)13
D)15

Question 68

Although it is clear that alternative energy sources such as bioethanol and biodiesel are reducing fossil fuel usage,___________ is also a key strategy to reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

A)desalination
B)development of vertical farming
C)conservation
D)space exploration

Question 69

Science Literacy Use the graph below in answer the next questions.
The biofuel with the highest net energy yield is _______.

A)corn ethanol
B)soybean biodiesel
C)biomass ethanol
D)biomass biodiesel

Question 70

You are concerned about the environment. You want to do your part to make the world more sustainable. Your environmental science professor mentions biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels and that they have a lower carbon footprint than fossil fuels. You decide to do more research on biofuels.
To your surprise,you discover algae can be used to make biofuel.You tell your friend a major advantage of this is _______.

A)it can easily be harvested on a large scale
B)algae is small,so it won't take up much space
C)cultivation won't compete with food crops
D)it can be made cheaply

Question 71

You are concerned about the environment. You want to do your part to make the world more sustainable. Your environmental science professor mentions biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuels and that they have a lower carbon footprint than fossil fuels. You decide to do more research on biofuels.
In your research on biofuels,you discover biofuels can be made from cellulosic crops.This means _______.

A)high-sugar crops like corn are used to make the fuel
B)fields planted in a monoculture yield more production for a fuel source
C)using plants such as grasses,which are more difficult to break down,for the fuel
D)the plants used for fuel are not useful as crops

Question 72

Match each term in the left-hand column to the statement that it best exemplifies.