The provided flow chart illustrates the cyclical process of ethanol production, a type of biofuel derived from organic matter.
Overall, the process consists of a continuous loop beginning with the growth of plants and ending with the emission of carbon dioxide, which is subsequently re-absorbed by new vegetation. The production itself involves three main stages: harvesting, industrial processing, and end-user consumption.
The cycle commences as plants and trees utilize sunlight and atmospheric carbon dioxide to grow. Once matured, this vegetation is harvested and undergoes a pre-processing stage where it is reduced to cellulose. This raw material is then chemically treated in a laboratory environment to be converted into sugars.
In the subsequent phase, microbes are added to the sugar to facilitate fermentation, resulting in the creation of liquid ethanol. This biofuel is then utilized by various modes of transport, including airplanes, trucks, and automobiles. The combustion of ethanol in these vehicles releases carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere, which is then captured by plants, effectively restarting the cycle.