The diagram illustrates the process of producing ethanol from plants and extracts can use as biofuel. Carbon dioxide is recycled throughout the production cycle.
Overall, ethanol is produced through a series of stages beginning with the growth of plants and ending with its use as a transport fuel. Carbon dioxide released during production and combustion is reabsorbed by plants, making the process a continuous cycle.
Initially, plants and trees grow by using sunlight and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, after they have matured, they are harvested and sent for processing. When the raw plant material is then converted into cellulose, which is transferred to a processing plant during processing, the cellulose is broken down into sugars.
In the next stage, microbes are added to the sugars to produce ethanol through fermentation. The finished biofuel is then used to power various forms of transport, including cars, trucks and aircraft. Ethanol is burned, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. In addition, some carbon dioxide is emitted during the Pre-processing phase. Finally, this carbon dioxide is absorbed by growing plants, allowing the cycle to begin again.
