The diagram illustrates the production of a biofuel called ethanol.
Overall, the process consists of several stages, beginning with plant growth and ending with the use of ethanol as a fuel. It is a cyclical process, as carbon dioxide released during consumption is reused in the initial stage.
Initially, plants and trees grow by absorbing energy from sunlight and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, which are essential for their development. Once they reach maturity, they are harvested and transported to a processing facility, which is where the biomass is treated. There, the material undergoes pre-processing and is converted into cellulose.
Subsequently, the cellulose is broken down into sugars through a chemical process. Microbes are then added to ferment these sugars, resulting in the production of ethanol.
In the final stage, ethanol is used as a fuel for vehicles such as cars, trucks, and airplanes, which results in the release of carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide is then reused by plants, completing the cycle.